Iowa is accepting claims for rent paid in 2025 and 2024. For a 2025 claim, total household income must be below $26,895.
Some low-income Iowa renters may qualify for up to $1,000 through the state’s Rent Reimbursement program. The program can cover part of the rent they paid in 2025 or 2024.
To qualify, a person must have been 65 or older during the claim year or be an adult 18 or older with a total disability. For rent paid in 2025, total annual household income must stay below $26,895.
Applicants must also live in Iowa now and must have rented a home in Iowa during the year they want to claim. The rental property must have been subject to property taxes.
However, the program does not automatically pay $1,000. The state calculates each reimbursement using the rent paid and the applicant’s household income. As a result, an eligible renter may receive less than the maximum.
The 2025 household income limit is $26,895
For a 2025 claim, total annual household income must be $26,894.99 or less. A household with income of $26,895 or more does not meet the income limit for that year.
The threshold changes for rent paid in 2024. For that claim year, household income must stay below $26,219.
Married couples also have a specific rule. If they lived together for the entire claim year, Iowa counts both spouses’ income when deciding eligibility.
| 2025 household income | Percentage used in benefit calculation |
|---|---|
| $0–$13,854.99 | 100% |
| $13,855–$15,484.99 | 85% |
| $15,485–$17,114.99 | 70% |
| $17,115–$20,374.99 | 50% |
| $20,375–$23,634.99 | 35% |
| $23,635–$26,894.99 | 25% |
| $26,895 or more | Not eligible based on income |
The reimbursement can reach $1,000, but income affects the final payment
Iowa uses 23% of the gross rent paid as the portion tied to property taxes. The state uses that amount to calculate the reimbursement.
First, the calculation has a maximum base of $1,000. If 23% of the rent paid exceeds that amount, Iowa caps the base at $1,000.
Then, the state applies the percentage that matches the household’s income. Lower-income households can receive a larger percentage, while households closer to the program’s income limit receive a smaller percentage.
Therefore, qualifying for Rent Reimbursement does not guarantee a $1,000 payment. The final amount depends on both rent and household income.
Renters can file claims for 2025 and 2024 during 2026
In 2026, eligible renters can submit claims for rent paid in 2025 or 2024. Someone seeking reimbursement for both years must file a separate claim for each year.
Each claim year also has its own income limit:
- Rent paid in 2025: annual household income below $26,895.
- Rent paid in 2024: annual household income below $26,219.
Rent paid before 2024 falls outside the claim period available in 2026.
Applicants need proof of income and rent paid
The application requires documents that support the information in the claim. Depending on the applicant, those records may cover identity, household income, rent payments and disability status.
For income, applicants may use pay stubs, W-2 forms, Social Security benefit statements, disability benefit records or other applicable records.
Renters also need proof of how much they paid. Iowa may accept:
- a lease that shows the monthly rent;
- rent receipts or canceled checks;
- a payment record from the rental office;
- a signed landlord letter that lists the amount paid and the landlord’s contact information;
- Iowa HHS Form 470-5713 for rent verification.
Applicants younger than 65 who qualify because of a disability need additional documentation. Iowa accepts qualifying determinations from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board. The program also recognizes a 100% disability rating or payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Renters can apply online through Iowa HHS
Eligible residents can apply for Rent Reimbursement through the official Iowa HHS benefits portal.
People who need help with the application have other options. Iowa HHS local offices can provide assistance, and some Community Action Agencies help residents in the counties they serve.
In addition, people age 60 and older can contact Iowa’s Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-866-468-7887. The state Rent Reimbursement program answers questions at 515-420-6077.
A claim may take up to 90 days for an eligibility decision
Iowa may take up to 90 days to make an eligibility decision on a Rent Reimbursement claim. Sending the required supporting documents with the application can help prevent delays caused by missing information.
If the state needs more information, it will send a request to the mailing address listed on the application.
After approval, the reimbursement may take up to 30 additional days to arrive. Applicants can choose direct deposit to a bank account or a check by mail.
Related: Hoping to buy a home in the Midwest? Renting might be a better option for now
Applicants can also check the status of a submitted claim through Iowa’s benefits system. For questions about a pending claim, the state Rent Reimbursement unit can be reached at 515-420-6077.
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