The state of Arizona provides several veteran benefits. This page explains some of them. Visit the Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.

Arizona State Veterans Home

The state of Arizona has 2 veteran’s homes, in Phoenix and Tucson. Both are skilled care nursing facilities.

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.

Federal (Civil Service or Military Retirement) payments (including SBP) 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 VA. 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 persons are eligible:

1. Unremarried 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.
2. A current member of the Arizona National Guard who received a Purple Heart after Sep. 11, 2001.
3. A veteran of the Arizona National Guard who was medically discharged due to an injury or disability suffered on duty.
4. A veteran who received a Purple Heart AND was an Arizona resident or stationed in Arizona at the time of that injury AND 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 Tool Kit

The Veteran Tool Kit 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 Education Benefits

Arizona Purple Heart Tuition Waiver

This scholarship is available to:

1. Post 9/11 veterans with at least a 50% VA disability, a Purple Heart medal, and who were AZ residents during their service
2. Dependent children under 30 and un-remarried spouses of AZ military member who were killed in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001
3. Post 9/11 AZ guard members who were medically discharged or received a Purple Heart.

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 their 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 3 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.