|
State Benefits
The benefits listed on this page are specific to the State of Utah, except where
noted, and are generally administered though this agency. They are state funded and as such will vary from State to State.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Abatement A Utah permanent place-of-residence property tax exemption
equivalent to the military service-connected disability rating percentage is provided for disabled veterans or for their unremarried
widows or minor orphans. Veteran’s disability rating must be at least 10%. The maximum property tax exemption,
rated at 100% military service-connected disability, is $219,164. To figure out how much your tax abatement will be
multiply your percentage of disability by 219,164. Example: 10% disability X 219,164 = $21,916.40 tax abatement. This amount
is then subtracted from the taxable value of the property and taxes are paid on the remaining amount. To apply for Utah Disabled
Veterans Property Tax Exemption, request VA Form 20-5455 from U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) at 1-800-827-1000, then
file VA Form 20-5455, along with a copy of the veteran’s U.S. Military active duty release/discharge certificate or
other satisfactory evidence of eligible military service, and the tax exemption application, on or before September 1st, to the applicable county treasurer, tax assessor or clerk/recorder located
in the county courthouse or county government building of each county seat. All property must be on record as of January
1st of the year you wish to file. However, a recent change allows qualified widows and orphans an exemption to that rule.
NOTE: Effective January 1, 2008 disabled veterans will only be required to file for property tax abatement one time.
After the initial filing it will automatically renew each year although the counties may require recertification of home address.
However, veterans will have to re-file if all or a portion of their abatement is used towards tangible personal property (i.e.
vehicles), if their service-connected disability percentage changes, the veteran dies, sales the property or no longer claims
that property as their primary place of residence. (Utah Code 59-2-1104 & 1105) |
|
|
Purple Heart Tuition Waiver: Utah public institutions of higher learning are required to waive the tuition of a Utah resident admitted
to an undergraduate program of study leading to a degree or certificate, if the student is a recipient of a Purple Heart.
Recent changes have expanded this benefit to include a Masters Degree.
Purple Heart Fee Exemption: Effective 4/30/07,
a recipient of a Purple Heart is exempt from paying the following motor vehicle license and registration fees: 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 fee due is property tax or age-based fee.
Scott B Lundell Tuition Waiver
for Military Members’
Surviving DependentsThis Bill waives
the undergraduate tuition at state institutions of higher education for surviving dependents of Utah resident military members
killed in the line of duty after 9/11/2001. The waiver in this section does not apply to fees, books, or housing expenses.
The Utah Department of Veterans Affairs is the administering agency for this benefit. Call 1-800-894-9497 or (801) 326-2372
for information on how to use this benefit.
Honorary High School Diplomas Veterans from WWII,
Korea and Vietnam who left High School for military service are eligible to receive Honorary High School Diplomas from the
school they left. Contact the local school district for information on how to receive the diploma.
Veterans License Plates Utah veteran’s license plates may be purchased from any DMV for an initial $25.00 contribution to the Utah State
Department of Veterans Affairs plus a $10.00 plate transfer fee, in addition to normal vehicle registration and property tax
fees. There will also be a yearly $15.00 renewal fee. Proceeds from the sale and renewal
of these plates help fund veteran programs within the state. Utah veteran’s license plates display colored
decal emblems of the U.S. military branch in which served (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Marines as well as the American
Legion) and are further inscribed “UTAH HONORS VETERANS”. Utah
special group license plates for Purple Heart recipients, Pearl Harbor Survivors or former POW’s are exempt of application
and renewal fees: however, regular registration and property tax fees still must be paid. Proper evidence to present for
special group plates includes Military Order of the Purple Heart or Pearl Harbor Survivors Association membership cards, or
DD-214 (& equivalent WD AGO 5355) military discharge certificates. A “Disabled Veteran” plate is also available
for Veterans with a service-connected disability. This plate has a one-time $15 fee and no additional renewal fees. Military
documentation or VA form 20-5455 must be presented to prove eligibility for this plate. NOTE: This Plate does not qualify
for disabled parking privileges. You need not wait until renewal time to purchase the license plates. (Utah Code Vol 2 Section
41: Utah State Tax Commission/Motor Vehicle regulations).
Free Use of Armories Organizations of war veterans are
entitled to have free use of state of Utah armories as meeting places, provided such use shall not interfere with the use
of armories by the National Guard or organized militia of Utah. (Utah Code Vol 3, Section 71).
Fishing License Privileges Disabled
Veteran Fishing Licenses are available for Veterans, free of charge, from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. To
qualify a Veteran must have obvious physical handicaps, such as, permanently confined to a wheelchair, paraplegic, minus at
least one limb, permanently requiring crutches or blind. (Utah Code Vol. 1, Section 23).
|
|
|
Special Fun TagsAllow free admission to most of the 41 state-controlled parks,
campgrounds and other recreation areas throughout Utah. Effective July 1,2009, the new policy now allows Utah veterans to
receive a special Fun Tag, free of charge, if they are:
Legally Blind, which is defined as
vision of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction, or a field restriction of 20 degrees of less in both eyes;
or Non-Ambulatory,
which is defined as being permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of a cane, crutches or mobility device, or who has
lost either or both lower extremities.
Special Fun Tag allows dayuse access to most Utah state parks,
but does not include This Is The Place Heritage Park and does not cover the $2 Davis County Causeway Fee at Antelope Island
State Park. The Special Fun Tag does not apply to camping or other special fees. Please call the State Parks and Recreation
office at (801) 538-7220 or toll free at 1-877-UTPARKS to have an application mailed to you or log on to www.stateparks.utah.gov
to download.
Applications can be mailed or faxed to
(801) 538-7378
(Utah Code Vol 1, Section 23).
America the Beautiful Pass* A lifetime entrance pass to most national parks, monuments,
historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. The Passport admits the
pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Where entry is not by private vehicle, the passport
admits the pass holder, spouse, and children. The Pass MAY also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged
for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and cave tours. It does not cover or
reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires. A Pass must be obtained in person at any federal
area where an entrance fee is charged or at one of the agencies administering the Pass. It is available to citizens
or permanent residents of the United States who are medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. Veterans
may obtain a passport by showing proof of a medically determined permanent disability or eligibility for receiving benefits
under federal law. A letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating the veteran’s disability rating will
suffice. Agencies administering the Pass are Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation,
Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and Forest Service.*Federal Benefits, available in all States
Bus/Trax Reduced
Fare Cards Greatly discounted fares (50% reduced) to ride Utah Transit Authority (UTA) busses and TRAX light rail system
are available for veterans meeting one of the following criteria: Forty percent (40%) or greater military service-connected
disability rating by VA, in receipt of VA non-service connected pension or regardless of disability rating for veterans &
others with transportation disabilities that cause either difficulty boarding or getting off a bus/light rail system, difficulty
standing in a moving bus/light rail system, difficulty reading bus/light rail system schedules & understanding information
signs, difficulty hearing announcements by bus/light rail system, or difficulty hearing announcements by bus/light rail systems
operators. Persons receiving Social Security Disability benefits, SSI, or Medicare also get the UTA Reduced Fare Cards.
Elderly persons age 65 and over qualify for Senior Passes at the same price as Reduced Fare Cards. To obtain UTA Reduced
Fare Cards go to either UTA location at 167 S. Main St. or 3600 S. 700 W. in SLC, Complete UTA Reduced Fare Cardapplication
form, Present evidence (a VA letter verifying service connected disability rating or non service connected pension, pay $2.00
for UTA photo identification to incorporate on UTA Reduced Fare Card. (Utah Code Vol 4 Section 72, Utah Transit Authority
Regulations & U.S. Transportation Regulations)
Veterans Upward
Bound VUB is funded by the Department of Education and sponsored by Weber State University. VUB provides a valuable
service by assisting veterans in obtaining admission to post- secondary schools. Instruction and tutoring are provided
free of charge to veterans in math, English and basic computer applications. The services are provided to veterans in
Salt Lake, Davis and Weber Counties. For more information, please contact Donna Rigby at 801-626-7173.
|
|
|
|
[ Benefits By State ]
|
|
|
