Women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of the VA system and have access to dedicated Women Veterans Program Managers at every VA medical center. The VA covers gender-specific primary care, maternity care, mental health (including military sexual trauma counseling, free regardless of discharge status), and the Women Veterans Call Center (1-855-VA-WOMEN). The VA Crisis Line (dial 988, press 1) is staffed 24/7. Disability compensation, GI Bill education benefits, VA home loans, and Vocational Rehabilitation are processed through regional VA offices, and state Veterans Service Organizations (American Legion, VFW, DAV) help file claims for free. This directory includes Women Veterans Program Managers, state VSOs, and veteran legal clinics.
Iowa district courts hear family cases in all 99 counties, with the Child Support Recovery Unit under the Department of Human Services managing enforcement. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City are the largest metros. Iowa Legal Aid and the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women, with self-represented litigant coordinators in every county.
IDVA at 7105 NW 70th Avenue in Johnston administers the state's Veterans Trust Fund, the Home Ownership Assistance Program, and accredited claims assistance through 99 county service officers. Women veterans can call 515-252-4698 to be connected to their county VSO, who can file VA disability claims at no cost.
515-252-4698 · 7105 NW 70th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The Des Moines VA at 3600 30th Street has a designated Women's Health Center providing primary care, mammography, gynecology, mental health, and military sexual trauma counseling under one roof. Women veterans can request a same-gender provider at enrollment. The patient line is 515-699-5999.
515-699-5999 · 3600 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The Iowa City VA at 601 Highway 6 West is the eastern Iowa flagship serving most of eastern Iowa and parts of Illinois, with a comprehensive Women Veterans Program and inpatient mental health. The patient enrollment line at 319-338-0581 walks new patients through eligibility based on discharge type and service-connected disability.
319-338-0581 · 601 Hwy 6 W, Iowa City, IA 52246 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown is a state-operated long-term care facility serving 500+ veterans and eligible spouses with skilled nursing, residential care, and adult day services. Admission information runs through 800-838-4692 and requires DD-214 and current medical assessment.
800-838-4692 · 1301 Summit St, Marshalltown, IA 50158 · 24/7 · Visit Website
Every Iowa county has at least one accredited Veterans Service Officer trained and certified by VA to file disability claims, pension applications, and burial benefits at no cost to the veteran. Women veterans can locate their county VSO through 515-252-4698 or the Iowa Veterans Affairs portal.
515-252-4698 · Every Iowa county · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
The American Legion Department of Iowa runs accredited claims service out of its Des Moines headquarters, helping women veterans of any era file new claims, appeal denials, and access burial benefits. Local Legion posts also host welfare programs and emergency assistance grants. Call 515-282-5068 for representation.
515-282-5068 · Des Moines, IA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
The VFW Department of Iowa, based in Des Moines, employs accredited service officers who represent women veterans in claims and appeals at no charge. The unmet needs grant program can also provide one-time emergency assistance for utilities or basic expenses. Reach the state office at 515-282-5068.
515-282-5068 · Des Moines, IA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Womenshealth.va.gov publishes the standards every VA facility, including Iowa City and Des Moines, must meet for women's primary care: same-gender providers on request, privacy in clinical spaces, mammography pathways, and integrated mental health. The site also explains MST-specific care available without filing a disability claim.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Women Veterans Call Center at 855-VA-WOMEN is staffed by women veterans themselves Monday-Friday 8am-10pm ET and Saturday 8am-6:30pm ET, offering one-on-one help navigating benefits, healthcare enrollment, and culturally specific resources. The center can also send a women veteran her own DD-214 within days.
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Dialing 988 and pressing 1 reaches the Veterans Crisis Line, staffed 24/7 by responders many of whom are veterans themselves. Text 838255 and online chat are available for women who cannot safely speak by phone. Calls are confidential and do not go on a veteran's VA medical record without consent.
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VA.gov is the unified web portal for filing disability claims, enrolling in healthcare, applying for the GI Bill, and tracking pending claims through the eBenefits replacement. Iowa women veterans can submit a claim online without going through a VSO, though VSO representation is usually faster.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
DAV provides free transportation to VA medical appointments through volunteer-driven cars at every Iowa VA facility, free claims representation through its national service officers, and the Women Veterans peer support project. Iowa chapters meet regularly at local DAV halls.
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VFW national service officers at the regional offices in Sioux Falls and St. Louis represent Iowa women veterans in complex disability claims and appeals before the Board of Veterans Appeals. Local Iowa posts also host monthly veteran-spouse breakfasts and community service projects.
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IAVA's Rapid Response Referral Program at 855-91RAPID connects post-9/11 women veterans to a personal case manager who works through housing, healthcare, education, and employment barriers — particularly useful when a veteran needs help across multiple silos at once.
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Wounded Warrior Project's free programs for post-9/11 wounded veterans include the Independence Program for severely injured veterans, Project Odyssey trauma recovery workshops, and women-specific retreats for survivors of MST. Iowa veterans access programs through the national intake line.
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SWAN is the only national policy and advocacy organization run by and for women veterans and active-duty servicewomen, focused on reproductive health, MST response, and workplace gender equity in DoD and VA. The site's helpline connects women to legal and policy advocates on demand.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 provides 24/7 non-medical counseling, financial coaching, and benefits navigation for active-duty service members, National Guard, Reserves, and their families. Eligibility runs through 365 days post-separation, useful for women veterans in the first year of transition.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website