Utah Veteran Benefits

Utah provides a tax credit for military retired pay that is included in their federal adjusted gross income. The amount of tax credit is the product of the retired service members federally taxable military retired pay multiplied 0.0455.

The spouse or dependent child of a service member who died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or a reserve component service member who died in the line of duty while serving on inactive duty for training are eligible for a tax credit on their survivor benefits.

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

Utah provides a tax credit for SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP survivor annuities that are included in their federal adjusted gross income. The amount of the tax credit is the product of the surviving spouse's federally taxable annuity multiplied 0.0455.

All Utah income received by a nonresident spouse married to a nonresident active duty service member is exempt from Utah income tax under the following conditions:

Those filing taxes on behalf of a service member who died as a result of service in a combat zone may be eligible for a tax credit for the taxes owed in the year of the service member's death.

Utah offers a total property tax exemption on the primary residence of an active or reserve component service member when they are stationed outside the state.

Utah offers a property tax exemption of up to $521,620 of the taxable value of the residence or personal property of disabled Veterans. Veterans must have a 10% or greater service-connected disability to be eligible.

STA provides additional financial assistance to pay for tuition and fees after a Utah National Guard Service member has reached their annual Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) limit, or they are otherwise not eligible for FTA. STA will cover up to $7,000 per fiscal year.

The Utah STW waives tuition for Utah National Guard Service members working towards their first associate or bachelor's degree. STW waives full-time student tuition for (12-18 credit hours) at Utah public colleges and universities.

Utah resident Purple Heart recipients are eligible for a tuition waiver at all Utah System of Higher Education schools. This benefit can be used toward a degree up to and including a master's degree.

The Veterans Tuition Gap program provides up to one year of undergraduate tuition and fees for Utah Veterans who have used all their VA education benefits and are in the final year of earning their bachelor's degree.

Utah System of Higher Education institutions will waive undergraduate tuition for the surviving spouse and dependents of a resident service member who was killed or died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This waiver does not apply to fees, books, or housing expenses.

VUB assists Veterans achieve their education goals by helping them prepare for and succeed while studying at a post-secondary educational institution. All VUB assistance is free for Veterans attending or planning to attend a college, university, technical school, or certificate program.

Any institution in the Utah System of Higher Education will grant residency for tuition purposes to:

Veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea and Vietnam are eligible to request an honorary high school diploma from their former high school.

The Utah Veteran First Time Homebuyer Grant offers Veterans and service members who are first-time homebuyers a $2,500 grant towards the purchase of their first home in Utah.

Utah offers discounted hunting, fishing and combination licenses to resident disabled Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. The following one year licenses are available:

The Utah Division of State Parks offers a free annual Veterans with Disabilities Honor Pass to qualified Veterans.

The Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park, in Bluffdale, offers a dignified final resting place for Veterans, their spouse and dependent children.

Utah offers a Veterans hiring preference when hiring for initial employment by the Utah state government to Veterans, their spouse, or surviving spouse.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

Private-sector employers in Utah are authorized to have a Veterans employment preference policy. The preference policy must meet the following requirements:

VEOP gives eligible Veterans the option to be hired into designated career-service positions with a six-month on-the-job examination period instead of a competitive hiring process.

ASAP allows for a non-competitive review and potential hiring for Utah state employment through an on-the-job examination period for qualified disabled applicants.

Utah state employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 15 days military leave with full pay for required military duty. Military leave is in addition to vacation leave with pay.

The Utah Department of Workforce services provides web pages containing links to information to help service members , Veterans and spouses who are trying to find a job in Utah.

In addition, the VBRC offers the STRIVE program a free entrepreneurship training program for Veterans, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members, and their spouses.

The Utah Veteran-Owned Business Registry helps promote Veteran owned businesses in Utah by allowing the public to search for and find Veteran businesses to support.

The Utah Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel. This includes:

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

HVF is a non-profit organization that offers transitional housing for up to 18 months for Veterans, as well as comprehensive services designed to address homelessness among Veterans. Located in Ogden, Utah, their services have provided for Veterans all over Utah and the intermountain area.

The VA National Cemetery Administration has two national cemetery in Utah. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Utah offers a "VETERAN" indicator on Utah driver licenses and ID cards for Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans must be 21 years old or older to apply for a "VETERAN" indicator on their driver license, or any age when added to an ID card.

The driver license of a Utah resident service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces stationed outside Utah will remain valid until 90 days after the service member is discharged. This benefit also applies to the service member's immediate family members or dependents.

The Military Skills Test Waiver option is available to applicants who have military commercial driving training and experience but do not have the Military Occupational Specialties/Ratings for the Even Exchange Program.

Utah offers 16 distinctive license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members and certain family members. Specific eligibility and documentation requirements will apply.

The Utah Purple Heart, Combat Wounded license plate is offered for recipients of the Purple Heart. This license plate may be personalized.

The Utah Disabled Veteran license plate is available for Veterans who have a service-connected disability. This plate does not provide handicapped parking space privileges.

Utah offers the Honors Veterans license plates to generate funds to support the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs and may be requested with an Air Force, American Legion, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy emblem. Applicants are not required to be a Veteran to apply.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Utah enter Utah in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.