The state of Arizona provides several veteran benefits. This page explains some of them.
Arizona State Veterans Home
The state of Arizona has four veterans homes. The skilled nursing facilities are in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.
Veterans must be honorably discharged and be certified by a doctor as needing skilled nursing care. Spouses may also be admitted.
Arizona Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active-duty pay is tax-free.
Military retirement pay and benefits, including Survivor Benefit Plan payments, are tax-free.
Arizona Military Family Relief Fund
The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund provides financial assistance to the families of currently deployed service members, plus military and veteran families, for hardships caused by their military service. Applicants can receive emergency assistance of up to $3,000, with a lifetime limit of $20,000 in assistance.
Vehicle License Tax and Registration Fees
No license tax or registration fee is collected from any 100% service-connected disabled veteran for a personally owned vehicle. A veteran residing in Arizona is exempt from a vehicle license tax on a vehicle acquired by the veteran through financial aid from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This also applies to the surviving spouse, if the veteran dies, until they remarry.
Property Tax
The property tax of disabled veterans and their survivors may be waived in certain cases. Contact your County Assessor office for eligibility
Arizona Veterans Tuition Waiver Program
The Tuition Waiver program provides eligible veterans or surviving dependents tuition-free education up to a bachelor’s degree at any Arizona public state university or community college.
The following are eligible:
- Un-remarried spouse or dependent child (up to age 30) of an an active-duty or Arizona National Guard member who was a resident of the state of Arizona or stationed in Arizona and who was killed in the line of duty.
- A current member of the Arizona National Guard who received a Purple Heart after Sep. 11, 2001.
- A veteran of the Arizona National Guard who was medically discharged due to an injury or disability suffered on duty.
- A veteran who received a Purple Heart; and who was an Arizona resident or stationed in Arizona at the time of that injury; and who has a VA disability rating of 50% or more.
Arizona Veteran Employment Benefits
Hiring Preference
Veterans who pass an examination for employment by the state, county or city will have 5 points added to their certification score. The veteran must have served for more than six months and have an honorable discharge.
Honorably discharged veterans getting VA disability compensation will have 10 points added to their certification score.
Certain spouses or surviving spouses shall be given a 5 point preference if the veteran died of a service-connected disability.
Veteran Toolkit
The Veteran Toolkit Program was created to help unemployed veterans get the supplies they need to start working. Surveyed veterans repeatedly said they were ready to work, but needed a few things to get them there, ranging from boots and tools to bicycles. Qualifying veterans must live in Arizona, be enrolled in an Arizona Job Connection with Arizona@Work and identify the job they need supplies for. Contact Arizona@Work for more information.
CDL Skills Test Waiver
Eligible military personnel or veterans may have the Commercial Driver License (CDL) skills tests waived when applying for a CDL if they are on active duty or within one year of discharge and operated a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or equivalent for at least two years immediately 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 stationed in Arizona can get hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Free hunting/fishing combo licenses are available for 100% service-connected disabled veterans who have been an AZ resident for at least 12 months. Those with less than 100% disability receive a discounted license.
Arizona State Parks
Arizona offers the following discounts to its state parks:
- 50% day-use discount to all active-duty, Guard and Reserve military members and up to three accompanying adult family members.
- 50% day-use discount to all resident military retirees.
- 50% off day-use pass to all disabled military.
- Free day-use pass to all resident 100% service-connected disabled veterans.
Arizona Veteran Cemeteries
The state of Arizona has three veterans cemeteries which are located in Camp Navajo, Marana, and Sierra Vista. Any veteran who has an other-than-dishonorable discharge is eligible for burial. Spouses and certain dependents are also eligible for burial. There is no charge for interment for veterans, and a one-time nominal fee for eligible spouses and dependents
Visit the Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
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