The state of Utah provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.
- Veteran Housing Benefits
- Employment Benefits
- Education Benefits
- Other State Veteran Benefits
Utah Veteran Housing and Tax Programs
Property Tax Abatement
A Utah permanent place-of-residence property tax exemption equivalent to the military service-connected disability rating percentage is provided for disabled veterans or for their unremarried widows or minor orphans. Veteran’s disability rating must be at least 10%. The maximum property tax exemption, rated at 100% military service-connected disability, is $206,214. To figure out how much your tax abatement will be multiply your percentage of disability by 206,214. Example: 10% disability X 206,214 = $20,621.40 tax abatement. To apply for Utah Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption, request VA Form 20-5455 from U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 1-800-827-1000, then file VA Form 20-5455, along with a copy of the veteran’s U.S. Military active duty release/discharge certificate or other satisfactory evidence of eligible military service, and the tax exemption application, on or before September 1, to the applicable county treasurer, tax assessor or clerk/recorder located in the county courthouse or county government building of each county seat. NOTE: Effective January 1, 2008 disabled veterans will only be required to file for property tax abatement one time. After the initial filing it will automatically renew each year. However, veterans will have to re-file if all or a portion of their abatement is used towards tangible personal property, if their service-connected disability percentage changes, the veteran dies, sales the property or no longer claims that property as their primary place of residence.
Learn more about Property Tax Abatement
Valor House
Located on the campus of the VA Hospital, in Salt Lake City, UT, the Valor House provides transitional housing to homeless veterans for up to two years. There are a total of 60 beds available.
Learn more about the Valor House
Utah Veteran Employment Programs
Veterans Job Representatives
Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Person (DVOP) are located statewide in the larger employment offices of the Utah Dept. of Workforce Services. They provide intensive employment related services for targeted veterans: referral to job opportunities, resume writing, referral letters, veteran’s preference, employment counseling, etc.
Learn more about Veterans Job Representatives
Veterans Job Preference
Eligible veterans or un-remarried spouses are granted either 5 or 10 points, as applicable, for employment preference, added to the results of any written &/or oral exam or other related qualifying technique, by any Utah government entity (state, county, municipality, special district or other political subdivision or administration.) The U.S. Dept. of Labor will protect the veteran’s rights to the Veterans Job Preference.
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Veterans Hiring Priority
Any officers, agents or representatives of the state, or any contractor performing work for Utah state government, who willfully fails to hire a military veteran shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
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Utah Veteran Education Assistance Programs
Veterans Upward Bound
VUB is funded by the Department of Education and sponsored by Weber State University. VUB provides a valuable service by assisting veterans in obtaining admission to post- secondary schools. Instruction and tutoring are provided free of charge to veterans in math, English and basic computer applications. The services are provided to veterans in Salt Lake, Davis and Weber Counties.
Learn more about Veterans Upward Bound
Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart Recipients
Utah public institutions of higher learning are required to waive the tuition of a Utah resident admitted to an undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate, if the student has received a Purple Heart as a result of military service.
Learn more about Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart Recipients
Other Utah State Veteran Benefits
Drivers License Privileges
Driver licenses possessed by persons on U.S. military active duty shall be valid 90 days after active duty discharge, unless driver licenses are suspended or revoked for cause by a police department or other judicial entity.
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Veterans License Plates
Utah veterans license plates may be purchased for an initial $25.00 contribution to the Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs plus a $10.00 plate transfer fee, in addition to normal vehicle registration and property tax fees. Plates can be purchased at any Utah Department of Motor Vehicle office. There will also be a yearly $10.00 renewal fee. Proceeds from the sale and renewal of these plates help fund veteran programs within the state. Utah veteran’s license plates display colored decal emblems of the U.S. military branch in which served (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines as well as the American Legion) and are further inscribed “UTAH HONORS VETERANS”. Utah special group license plates for Purple Heart recipients, Pearl Harbor Survivors or former POW’s are exempt of application and renewal fees: however, regular registration and property tax fees still must be paid. Proper evidence to present for special group plates includes Military Order of the Purple Heart or Pearl Harbor Survivors Association membership cards, or DD-214 (& equivalent WD AGO 5355) military discharge certificates. You need not wait until renewal time to purchase the license plates.
Learn more about Veterans License Plates
Disabled License Plates / Windshield Placards
Disabled license plates having the blue & white international symbol of accessibility decal may be obtained by submitting a TC 842 application form, accompanied by a certification from a licensed physician stating: (1) the disability limits or impairs ability to walk as defined in the 1991 Federal Uniform System for Handicapped Parking, and (2) the time period the physician determines the disability will continue. Disabled veterans applying for Utah disability license plates should note that veteran disability letters from the VA Regional Office are not acceptable evidence to Tax Commission/Motor Vehicle offices. However, licensed physician certifications by VA doctors are acceptable evidence, provided the following is stated in the letter: (1) the disability limits or impairs ability to walk as defined in the 1991 Federal Uniform System for Handicapped Parking, and (2) the time period the physician determines the disability will continue. Normal fees for plate transfer, registration, and property taxes still must be paid upon initial application and renewal of disability license plates. Upon request, one additional disability windshield placard may be issued to disabled persons applying for or already possessing disability special group license plates.
Learn more about Disabled License Plates
Disabled Parking Privileges
Disabled persons (including disabled veterans) may park an appropriately marked vehicle for reasonable periods without charge in metered parking zones or in restricted parking areas (spaces clearly identified by the international symbol of accessibility as reserved for disabled persons.) Only vehicles appropriately marked with disability special group license plates or disability windshield placards hung from the front windshield rearview mirror attachment may legally park in accessible (disabled) parking spaces.
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Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs
The Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs is located at 550 Foothill Dr. Suite #202, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113 (the corner of Wasatch & Foothill) on the VA Medical Center Campus. The mission of the office is to provide counsel, assist veterans and their dependents with VA claims processing, establish veterans’ rights to state and federal benefits and to provide information and advisory services. Veteran service officers under contract provide an outreach assistance program to rural Utah veterans, in conjunction with the Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs. U.S. active duty military service discharge certificates (DD-214’s) are on file in the office for veterans discharged after 1980. DD-214’s are only on file for veterans with Utah residency or with a Utah forwarding address at the time of release from active duty.
Learn more about the Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs
Utah State Veterans Nursing Home
The first Utah State Veterans Nursing Home, located on the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center Campus, address, 700 Foothill Drive, SLC, UT. 84113-1104, was dedicated on 22 April 1998 and became operational in May 1998. Quality nursing and health care services are provided for Utah veterans with U.S. military service during peacetime or wartime. While wartime service is not a requirement for admission to the nursing home, wartime veterans with one day or more of wartime service, as recognized by state and federal laws, have top priority. A veteran’s spouse or surviving spouse may also qualify for admittance to the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home, providing the marriage to the veteran occurred at least one year before the application. Note: The Utah Legislature has authorized a $4,500,000 bond to construct a veterans nursing home in Ogden. The bond will be repealed on December 31, 2008 if the VA’s portion of the funding remains unavailable.
Learn more about the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home
Utah State Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park
Located at 17111 Camp Williams Road in Bluffdale. This states veteran’s cemetery generally follows the eligibility requirements of VA National Cemetery System, including: any U.S. Armed Forces active personnel dying while performing duty or after having served during wartime. Reservist and National Guard retired personnel with 20 years of service are eligible for burial also. Surviving spouses and dependent children also are eligible to be buried in the Utah State Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, under rules established by the state of Utah. Authorized in 1988 by act of the Utah State Legislature, dedication occurred on Memorial Day, 1990. Veterans are not to be buried in any portion of any cemetery or burial ground used for paupers; cities, towns, counties or other political subdivisions of the state of Utah may provide proper sites for burial of veterans.
Learn more about the Utah State Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park
Military Discharge Records
Utah State Archives has military discharge records for Utah (ACTIVE DUTY) veterans from the territorial times, World War II and the Korean War. Utah State Archives will provide a copy of U.S. military discharge records on file free of charge. The Utah State Division of Veterans Affairs has active duty only U.S. military service DD-214’s for Utah Veterans from 1980 to the current year. DD-214 certified copies are provided free of charge; toll free 1-800-894-9497. The Utah National Guard Headquarters in Draper Utah maintains file copies of National Guard Bureau record of separation certificates (NGB 22’s) for completed service in the Utah Army National Guard & Utah Air National Guard (1950-present). NGB 22 certified copies are free of charge. NOTE: For many years, veterans were encouraged to place their DD-214 on file with their local county recorders office. We no longer recommend this practice because of issues with identity theft.
Learn more about Military Discharge Records
Free Use of Armories
Organizations of war veterans are entitled to have free use of state of Utah armories as meeting places, provided such use shall not interfere with the use of armories by the National Guard or organized militia of Utah.
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Fishing License Privileges
Utah Disabled Veteran Fishing Licenses are available for Veterans, free of charge, from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. To qualify a Veteran must have obvious physical handicaps, such as, permanently confined to a wheelchair, paraplegic, minus at least one limb, permanently requiring crutches or blind.
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Special Fun Tags
Free of charge to disabled veterans & other disabled persons are Utah Special Fun Tags, which allow free admission to most of the 41 state-controlled parks, campgrounds and other recreation areas throughout Utah. The Utah Special Fun Tags also allows a $2.00 off, camping fee discount Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays. Utah Special Fun Tags are available to disabled veterans upon application to the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, along with a VA letter documenting 10% or greater military service-connected disability rating.
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Bus / Trax Reduced Fare Cards
Greatly discounted fares (65% reduced) to ride Utah Transit Authority (UTA) busses and TRAX light rail system are available for veterans meeting one of the following criteria: Forty percent (40%) or greater military service-connected disability rating by VA, in receipt of VA non-service connected pension or regardless of disability rating for veterans & others with transportation disabilities that cause either difficulty boarding or getting off a bus/light rail system, difficulty standing in a moving bus/light rail system, difficulty reading bus/light rail system schedules & understanding information signs, difficulty hearing announcements by bus/light rail system, or difficulty hearing announcements by bus/light rail systems operators.
Persons receiving Social Security Disability benefits, SSI, or Medicare also my get UTA Reduced Fare Cards. Elderly persons age 65 and over qualify for Senior Passes at the same price as Reduced Fare Cards. To obtain UTA Reduced Fare Cards for .50 cent regular fares or $18.00 monthly fares, do the following: 1. Go to either UTA location at 167 S. Main St. or 3600 S. 700W. in SLC, 2. Complete UTA Reduced Fare Card application form, 3. Present evidence (a VA letter verifying service connected disability rating or non service connected pension, 4. pay $2.00 for UTA photo identification to incorporate on UTA Reduced Fare Card.
Learn more about Bus / Trax Reduced Fare Cards
Golden Access Passport
A lifetime entrance pass to most national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The Golden Access Passport admits the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Where entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the pass holder, spouse, and children. The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and cave tours. It does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires. A Golden Access Passport must be obtained in person at any federal area where an entrance fee is charged or at one of the agencies administering the Golden Access Passport. It is available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. Veterans may obtain a passport by showing proof of a medically determined permanent disability or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law. A letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating the veteran’s disability rating will suffice. Agencies administering the Golden Access Passport are Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and Forest Service.
Learn more about the Golden Access Passport
Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
Following is a list of the clinics that provide medical treatment to veterans. It is recommended that you contact the clinic to ascertain the requirements of the clinic. Ogden: 982 Chambers St., S. Ogden, UT 84403, 801- 479- 4105. Roosevelt: 210 W. 300 N. Roosevelt, UT 84066, 435-722-6108, Orem: 740 W. 800 N. Ste. 440, Orem, UT 84057 801-235-0953, St. George: 1067 E. Tabernacle Suite 7, St. George, UT 84770, 435-634-7608, Nephi: 48 W. 1500 N., Nephi, UT 84648, 435-623-3129, Fountain Green: 300 W. 300 S., Fountain Green, UT, 84632, 435-623-3129. Green River: 1400 Uinta Drive, Green River, WY. 82935, 307- 872- 4508. Pocatello: 444 Hospital Way Suite 801, Pocatello, ID. 83201, 208-232-6214. Ely: 6 Steptoe Circle, Ely, NV. 89301, 775-289-2788 ext. 105. For further information on the clinics, please contact the VA Hospital at 1-800-613-4012.
Learn more about Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
The Veterans Administration Regional Office (VARO)
The Veterans Administration Regional Office (VARO) is located on the campus of the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The address to the VARO is 550 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. 84158. You can contact the VA by calling 1-800-827-1000.
Learn more about The Veterans Administration Regional Office
VA Hospital
The George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center is located at 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT. They can be reached by calling 801-582-1565 or toll free, from within Utah, at 1-800-613-4012. By calling either number, you will be able to access any department you may need.
Learn more about VA Hospital
Vet Centers
The Salt Lake City Vet Center is located at 1354 E. 3300 S., SLC, UT. They can be reached at 801-584-1294, or toll free from within Utah at 1-800-613-4012 ext. 1294.
The Salt Lake Vet Center has a new program called the “Global War on Terrorism Outreach Program”. The purpose of this program is to identify returning veterans’ needs and issues, provide information, link vets with agencies that can provide valuable resources and to actively network current clients with other veterans.
The Provo Vet Center is located at 750 N. 200 W., Provo, UT. They can be reached at 801-377-1117 or toll free from within Utah at 1-800-246-1197.
Both centers provide counseling and referral services especially designed for “wartime” veterans. They also provide an extensive outreach program aimed at helping the men and women who proudly served our country.
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Homeless Veterans Fellowship
The Homeless Veterans Fellowship is located at 541 23rd St., Ogden, UT. They can be reached at 801-392-7662. HVF provides transitional housing for up to eighteen months for veterans. They can also provide emergency food bags and personal hygiene items. Coffee and donuts provided during open hours.
Learn more about the Homeless Veterans Fellowship
Outreach Services
The Utah Division of Veterans Affairs, through contracts with service officers from local Veterans Service Organizations, provides assistance and information to veterans and their families in filing claims for VA or other veterans’ related benefits. The service officers travel the state on a monthly basis meeting with veterans, who are unable to travel to Salt Lake City, at various Department of Workforce Services locations throughout the state. For a schedule contact the Division Office at 1-800-894-9497.
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