Utah offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Utah Veterans Homes
Utah boasts four veterans’ residences situated in Ivins, Ogden, Payson, and Salt Lake City. Any honorably discharged veteran is eligible for admission, with wartime veterans given priority.
Additionally, spouses or surviving spouses may meet the criteria for admission. It’s important to note that there might be associated costs for care.
Utah Veterans Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Retired military pay and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments are exempt from taxes.
Property Tax Abatement
Disabled veterans are eligible for a property tax reduction, with the maximum reduction in the assessed value of their homes set at $275,699, subject to annual adjustments. The reduction is calculated by multiplying this maximum value by the veteran’s disability percentage. Surviving spouses may also qualify for this benefit.
Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption
Active duty and reserve members who have completed a minimum of 200 days of active service may be eligible for a complete exemption from real property tax. This exemption becomes effective in the year following their service.
Purple Heart Fee Exemption
Purple Heart recipients are relieved from motor vehicle license and registration fees, including the automobile driver education fee, motor vehicle registration fee, license plate issuance fees, uninsured motorist identification fee, and local option transportation corridor preservation fee. The only fees applicable are property tax or age-based fees.
Utah Veteran Employment Programs
Veterans Job Preference
Purple Heart recipients are relieved from motor vehicle license and registration fees, including the automobile driver education fee, motor vehicle registration fee, license plate issuance fees, uninsured motorist identification fee, and local option transportation corridor preservation fee. The only fees applicable are property tax or age-based fees.
CDL Driving Skills Test Waiver
Utah may exempt veterans applying for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) from the driving skills tests if they meet the licensing requirements, were honorably discharged within the last 90 days, and have experience operating a commercial vehicle within the past two years.
Accelerated Credentialing to Employment (ACE) Program
The ACE Program aims to support Utah veterans, active drilling members of the Guard and Reserve, and their spouses in overcoming employment barriers or advancing their careers by helping them obtain certifications and licenses based on their military training and experience, or by providing assistance with short-term training.
Utah Veteran Education Assistance Programs
Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart Recipients
Purple Heart recipients qualify for a tuition waiver at all state colleges.
Scott B Lundell Tuition Waiver for Military Members’ Surviving Dependents
Surviving dependents of service members who were killed in action on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for a tuition waiver at state schools.
Veterans Tuition Gap Program
Veterans who exhaust all their benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill may qualify to have their tuition for the final year of a degree program waived by the state.
Utah Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veteran Fishing License
Utah disabled veterans with a disability rating of 20% or higher may qualify for discounted fishing licenses.
Disabled Veteran State Park Admission
Utah resident veterans who were honorably discharged and have a VA disability rating of 50% or higher are entitled to an Honor Pass. This pass grants free access to all state parks for the eligible veteran and up to 7 guests traveling in the same private vehicle.
Utah Veterans Cemetery
The Utah state veterans cemetery is situated in Bluffdale, adhering to the eligibility criteria of the VA National Cemetery System. Reservists and National Guard retirees also qualify for burial.
Additionally, surviving spouses and dependent children are eligible for burial at the cemetery.
Veterans are not charged a fee, while a nominal fee applies for dependents.
