Utah offers a range of benefits for veterans, covering education, employment, housing, and more:
Education Benefits
- Veterans Tuition Gap Program: Provides tuition assistance for the final school year at state higher education institutions for eligible veterans.
- Scott Lundell Military Survivors Tuition Waiver: Offers tuition waivers at state schools for dependents of service members killed in action after September 11, 2001.
- Purple Heart Recipients: Eligible for free tuition at public institutions of higher learning in Utah for undergraduate or master’s degree programs.
- Veterans Upward Bound Program: Offers support for veterans seeking post-secondary education in certain counties.
Employment Benefits
- Veterans Job Preference: Provides additional points for qualifying veterans applying for state jobs, with specific criteria for eligibility.
Housing Benefits
- Veterans Assisted Care Homes and Nursing Homes: Utah operates veterans’ homes in cities like Salt Lake City, Ogden, Payson, and Ivins, available to veterans under certain eligibility criteria.
- First-Time Home Buyer Grants: Offers a $2,500 grant for qualifying military and veterans purchasing a first home within Utah.
Financial Benefits
- Income Tax Exemptions: Military retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax-free.
- Property Tax Abatement: Disabled veterans can receive a reduction in property tax, with the maximum reduction based on the home’s appraised value and the veteran’s disability percentage.
Recreational Benefits
- Disabled Veteran Fishing License: Discounts available for disabled veterans with a 20% or more disability.
State Park Admission: Honorably discharged veterans with a VA disability of 50% or more are eligible for an Honor Pass, providing free access to all state parks.