VA Benefits for Residents of Arizona
Arizona State Veterans Home:
Arizona operates four Veterans homes, situated in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma, providing skilled nursing facilities.
To be admitted, Veterans require an honorable discharge and certification from a doctor indicating a need for skilled nursing care. Spouses are also eligible for admission.
Arizona Veteran Financial Benefits:
Income Tax:
Active-duty pay is exempt from taxes, as are military retirement pay and benefits, including Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
Arizona Military Family Relief Fund:
This fund aids currently deployed service members’ families and military/Veteran families facing hardships due to military service, offering emergency assistance up to $3,000 per applicant with a lifetime cap of $20,000.
Vehicle License Tax and Registration Fees:
No tax or fee is levied on personally owned vehicles for 100% service-connected disabled Veterans. Additionally, Veterans residing in Arizona are exempt from vehicle license tax on vehicles acquired with assistance from the VA. This exemption extends to surviving spouses until remarriage.
Property Tax:
Disabled Veterans and their survivors may qualify for property tax waivers in specific cases. Eligibility can be determined by contacting the County Assessor’s office.
Arizona Veterans Tuition Waiver Program:
This program grants eligible Veterans or dependents tuition-free education up to a bachelor’s degree at any Arizona public state university or community college.
Eligibility includes:
- Un-remarried spouse or dependent child (up to age 30) of an active-duty or Arizona National Guard member killed in the line of duty.
- Arizona National Guard member who received a Purple Heart post-9/11.
- Medically discharged Arizona National Guard Veteran due to duty-related injury.
- Purple Heart recipient who was an Arizona resident or stationed in Arizona at the time of injury, with a VA disability rating of 50% or more.
Arizona Veteran Employment Benefits:
Hiring Preference:
Veterans passing employment examinations for state, county, or city jobs receive a 5-point certification score boost if they served more than six months with an honorable discharge. Those receiving VA disability compensation gain 10 points. Certain spouses of deceased Veterans receive a 5-point preference for service-connected disability.
Veteran Toolkit:
The Veteran Toolkit Program aids unemployed Veterans with necessary supplies for employment, such as boots, tools, or bicycles, provided they are enrolled in Arizona Job Connection with Arizona@Work.
CDL Skills Test Waiver:
Eligible military personnel or Veterans can have Commercial Driver License (CDL) skills tests waived if within one year of discharge and operated a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for at least two years before discharge.
Real Estate Licensing:
The Arizona Department of Real Estate offers reduced licensing requirements for military spouses.
Arizona Veteran Recreation Benefits:
Hunting and Fishing Licenses:
Active-duty members in Arizona receive resident rate hunting and fishing licenses. 100% service-connected disabled Veterans residing in AZ for over 12 months can obtain free combo licenses; those with less disability receive discounts.
Arizona State Parks:
Discounts offered to military personnel and Veterans include:
- 50% day-use discount for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and accompanying family.
- 50% day-use discount for resident military retirees.
- 50% off day-use pass for disabled military.
- Free day-use pass for resident 100% service-connected disabled Veterans.
Arizona Veteran Cemeteries:
Arizona maintains three Veterans cemeteries in Camp Navajo, Marana, and Sierra Vista, offering burial eligibility to Veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge. Spouses and certain dependents are also eligible, with no interment charges for Veterans and nominal fees for eligible spouses and dependents.
