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June 5, 2020

Arizona Veterans Benefits – The Insider’s Guide

Last updated on December 21, 2022

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Hey Vets, My team and I here at VA Claims Insider have put together this Insider’s Guide covering the Arizona Veterans Benefits you can expect if you live in the Copper state!

The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS) administers a wide range of Arizona state benefits for disabled veterans, such as free benefits and disability claims counseling, state veteran homes, health care, education, pension, home loans and property taxes, insurance, recreational discounts, employment, and legal advice, among others.

You can visit the ADVS website to learn more about the activities, services, and benefits they can assist with if you are an in-state Veteran or family member of an Arizona disabled veteran. But first, let’s jump into all the Veteran benefits and VA benefits the Grand Canyon State has in store for you!

AZ veterans benefits

Overview of Arizona Military Life

Arizona’s veteran population ranks 13th largest according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Census Bureau (released in July 2019):

  • Adult Population: 5.4 million (15th)
  • Veteran Population: 480,778 (13th)

Arizona ranks in the top 20 for highest unemployment for vets, and is in the upper 20 states with veterans below poverty level.

  • Veteran Unemployment: 4.8% (15th overall)
  • Veteran Poverty Rate: 7.3% (18th)

Arizona also is in the upper half of states with disabled veterans. 

  • Veterans with a Disability: 30.0% (4th)

Other economic factors to consider are that Arizona ranks right in the middle of states when it comes to cost of living (ranking 26th). It is also one of the 15 most expensive states when it comes to housing affordability (housing affordability ranking: 37th). 

Overall, Arizona is only ranked 34th when it comes to an economic environment for veterans. Part of this is because the median income of veterans in Arizona is $36,053, which is in the lower average of states.

Despite this Arizona ranks high for overall quality of life (11th overall). Veterans love living in Arizona, many for its year long warm weather and natural beauty. Even though it ranks in the lowest 10 states for veteran health care (44th), Arizona has a good number of VA locations with 29 and 9 military bases. All of these factors play into why Arizona has one of the larger percentages of a veteran population (9%). 

With all that said, let’s take a closer look at the benefits for disabled veterans in Arizona. 

Arizona veterans benefits
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

Arizona VA Benefits Overview

Veterans Benefits Administration- Pacific District

395Pacific District3333 North Central Avenue, Suite 3026
Phoenix, AZ 85012-2402
 

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Financial Benefits 

Income Tax

Federal (Civil Service or Military Retirement) payments (including SBP) of up to $3,500.00 per year are tax-free.

Property Tax

The property tax of widows, widowers, and disabled persons may be waived in certain cases. Contact your County Assessor office for eligibility

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.

Arizona disabled veterans benefits
Over 200 members of Arizona’s Army and Air National Guard participated in Ruck for Life – an event highlighting suicide prevention – at Papago Park Military Reservation. (National Guard Photo by Spc. Wes Parrell)

Arizona Military Family Relief Fund

The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) was established by the Arizona Legislature in 2007 to provide financial assistance to the families of currently deployed service members and Post-9/11 Military and Veteran Families for hardships caused by the service member’s deployment after September 11, 2001.

Eligibility Requirements

Service Members and Veterans discharged under honorable conditions who meet all of the following criteria may be eligible for financial assistance:

Deployment by the service member or Veteran

Military deployment is the movement of armed forces. Deployment includes any movement from a military service member’s home station to somewhere outside the continental U.S. and its territories.

Arizona Residency (one of the following must apply to the service member or veteran)

  • Claimed Arizona as home of record OR
  • Member of Arizona National Guard at time of deployment OR
  • Deployed from an Arizona military installation

Financial Hardship (one of the following must apply):

  • For veterans: must demonstrate that a deployment caused their current financial hardship
  • For family members of a service member: must demonstrate that a financial hardship is due to the service member’s current deployment
  • For surviving families: service member or Veteran died or was wounded in the line of duty and family members need financial assistance with travel and living expenses
    (If a widow, widower or dependent child of a deceased service member is applying for financial assistance, the service member must have died in the line of duty in a combat zone or a zone where the person was receiving hazardous duty pay). 

Financial assistance from the Arizona Military Family Relief Funds are determined by MFRF Advisory Committees, which are comprised of twelve members appointed by the Governor, as well as the ADVS Director or the Director’s designee. The Pre-9/11 and Post-9/11 MFRF have separate advisory committees. One-time emergency financial assistance is available for first-time applicants through the Pre-9/11 or Post-9/11 MFRF Emergency Committee, which is comprised of five of the Advisory Committee members.

Arizona veterans
F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35A Lightning II aircraft, assigned to Luke Air Force Base, fly in formation during the Air Force Salutes flyover May 1, 2020, over parts of Arizona. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leala Marquez)

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Housing & Healthcare

Arizona State Veteran Home – Phoenix

ASVH-PHX is a 200-bed Medicare-certified, skilled-nursing care facility for eligible Arizona veterans, located in central Phoenix, near Indian School Rd and 3rd Street, at:

4141 North S. Herrera Way, Phoenix, AZ 85012 Telephone: 602-248-1550

ASVH-PHX serves the long-term care and rehabilitative needs of the veterans of Arizona, with energetic and caring staff whose members provide nursing, therapeutic recreation, and social services to those who have served our nation.

Arizona State Veteran Home – Tucson

Arizona’s newest State Veterans Home is located by the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (VA Hospital) in Tucson. 

AZ STATE VETERANS HOME: 555 East Ajo Way Tucson, AZ 85713 Telephone: 520-638-2150

This facility is a 120-bed skilled-nursing facility offering many amenities to Arizona’s veterans such as all private rooms, full baths, and selective dining in a home-like environment.

AZ VA benefits

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Employment

ADVS Veteran Toolkit Program

July 2017 (revised July 2018): The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services is proud to launch the Veteran Tool Kit Program. It 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.

State 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.

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Education 

Arizona Purple Heart Tuition Waiver

This scholarship is available to:

  1. Post 9/11 veterans with at least a 50 percent 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.
AZ vets benefits

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Recreational Discounts, Licenses & Passes

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.

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 veterans

The Boneyard, Davis Monthan AFB

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Vehicle Licenses, Plates & Privileges

Arizona Veteran Driver License & License Plates

Veterans have the option to have the VETERAN designation on their Arizona-issued driver license, commercial driver license, identification card or learner permit denoting their military service. In addition, veterans applying for an Arizona commercial driver license (CDL) will have the option to request a waiver of the skills test if they meet certain requirements.

Several Military/Veteran license plates are also available from ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division, each of which provides some charitable funding to the Veterans’ Donation Fund. The Veterans plate requires military/veteran documentation; the Women Veterans and Freedom plates have no current requirement for military or veteran status.

Arizona VA Facilities

Veterans Health Administration – VISN 22: Desert Pacific Healthcare Network

Station IDFacilityAddressPhone 
649Northern Arizona VA Health Care System500 North Highway 89, Prescott, AZ 86313928-445-4860 /
928-445-4860
 
644Phoenix VA Health Care System650 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012602-277-5551 
678Southern Arizona VA Health Care System3601 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85723520-792-1450 
649Chinle Comprehensive Care Facility (Indian Health Services)Hwy 191 and Hospital Drive, Chinle, AZ 86503928-674-7675 
649GFHolbrook VA Clinic33 W. Vista Dr, Holbrook, AZ 86025928-524-1050 
649Page VA Clinic801 N Navajo Dr. Ste-B, Page, AZ 86040928-645-4966 
6381Polacca VA ClinicHighway 264 Mile Post 388, Polacca, AZ 86042928-283-4465 
649Tuba City VA Clinic167 N Main St P.O. Box 600, Tuba City, AZ 86045928-283-4465 
649GEAnthem CBOC41810 North Venture Dr., Bldg. B, Anthem, AZ 85086623-249-2300 /
800-949-1005 X 2300
 
678GCCasa Grande CBOC1876 E. Sabin Drive, Building A Ste 15, Casa Grande, AZ 85122520-836-2536 
649GECottonwood CBOC501 S. Willard, Cottonwood, AZ 86326928-649-1523 
649GBFlagstaff CBOC1300 W. University Ave. Suite 200, Flagstaff, AZ 86001928-226-1056 /
800-949-1005 X 5650
 
644GFGlobe-Miami VA Health Care Clinic5860 S. Hospital Drive, Ste 111, Globe, AZ 85501-9449928-425-0027 
678GEGreen Valley CBOC380 W. Vista Hermosa Drive #140, Green Valley, AZ 85614520-399-2291 
6425Kayenta VA Clinic394.3 Highway 160, Kayenta, AZ 86033928-445-4860 X 3392 /
800-949-1005 X 3392
 
649GAKingman CBOC2668 Hualapai Mountain Road, Kingman, AZ 86401928-718-7300 
649GCLake Havasu City CBOC2035 Mesquite, Suite D, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403928-505-7100 /
800-949-1005 X 7100
 
644GHMidtown VA Clinic5040 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015602-234-7080 
644GGNortheast VA Health Care Clinic11390 E. Via Linda Rd., Ste. 105, Scottsdale, AZ 85259480-579-2200 
644GANorthwest VA Health Care Clinic13985 W. Grand Ave., Suite 101, Surprise, AZ 85374623-251-2884 
644GDPayson VA Health Care Clinic903 E Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541928-468-2100 
678GDSafford Clinic355 N. 8th Avenue, Safford, AZ 85546928-428-8010 
644GBShow Low VA Health Care Clinic5171 Cub Lake Road, Suite C380, Show Low, AZ 85901928-532-1069 
678GASierra Vista Clinic101 N. Coronado Drive Suite A, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635520-459-1529 
644BYSoutheast VA Health Care Clinic3285 S. Val Vista Dr., Gilbert, AZ 85297480-397-2800 
644GCSouthwest VA Health Care Clinic9250 W. Thomas Rd., Ste 400, Phoenix, AZ 85037623-772-4000 
644GEThunderbird VA Health Care Clinic9424 N. 25th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021602-633-6900 
678GFVA Northwest Tucson Clinic2945 W. Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741520-219-2418 
678GGVA Southeast Tucson Clinic7395 S. Houghton Road Ste 129, Tucson, AZ 85747520-664-1831 
470-8262Yuma Clinic3111 S. 4th Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364928-317-9973 
5161OSChinle OutstationNavajo Route 7, Old BIA Complex-B59, Chinle, AZ 86503 844-286-7270 
0518VDr. Cameron McKinley Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Center3180 Stillwater Drive, Suite A, Prescott, AZ 86305928-778-3469 
5162OSHopi OutstationP.O. Box 929, 1 Main St., Hotevilla, AZ 86030928-734-5166 
0536Lake Havasu Vet Center1720 Mesquite, Suite 101, Lake Havasu, AZ 86403928-505-0394 
0524Mesa Vet Center1303 South Longmore, Suite 5, Mesa, AZ 85202480-610-6727 
0517VPhoenix Vet Center4020 N. 20th St. #110, Phoenix, AZ 85016602-640-2981 
0521VTucson Vet Center2525 E. Broadway Blvd Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85716520-882-0333 
0533VWest Valley Vet Center14050 N. 83rd Avenue Suite 170, Peoria, AZ 85381623-398-8854 
0537VYuma Vet Center1450 E. 16th St, Suite 103, Yuma, AZ 85365928-271-8700 
678CGCasa Grande Rural Health Care Coordination Center1179 E. Cottonwood Lane, Suite 1, Casa Grande, AZ 85122520-629-4801  
678SVSierra Vista Rural Health Care Coordination Center157 North Coronado Drive, Suite B, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635520-629-4802  
 
AZ VA benefits
Arizona National Guard Soldiers from the 158th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade stand in formation on the field at Arizona State University’s Sun Devil Stadium, Dec. 7, 2014 in Tempe, Ariz. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Brian A. Barbour)

Veterans Benefits Administration – Pacific District

Station IDFacilityAddressPhone 
345Phoenix Regional Office3333 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012800-827-1000 
345Intake Site At Davis-Monthan Air Force BaseBenefits Counseling Office, Tucson, AZ 85723  
345Intake Site At Fort HuachucaACAP Center (ATZS-ESD-A) Building 22420, Room 1,
Butler Road, Fort Huachuca, AZ 85613
  
345Intake Site At Luke Air Force Base56 MSS/DFB Building 1113 7282 N 137th Avenue  
Luke AFB, AZ 85309
  
345Phoenix Regional Loan Center3333 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012800-827-1000 
914National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024480-513-3600 
900Prescott National Cemetery500 Highway 89 North, Prescott, AZ 86313928-717-7569 
Arizona disabled veterans benefits

Arizona Veterans Benefits: Conclusion

Arizona is a beautiful state and one that veterans often love. They take seriously the care of their vets, but the reality is also that Arizona has limited resources when compared to other states.

Arizona provides a decent amount of benefits for its veteran and is attractive to veterans because of its strong quality of life, despite not being one of the best economic environments.

This is due strongly to the lack of great employment options for veterans, but also because Arizona’s access to health care isn’t as strong as other states. 

Arizona is also fairly average as far as additional benefits for veterans go, which is not unusual for less populous states

If you are already in Arizona and are looking to make the most of your Arizona veteran benefits, you will want to visit the state portal for veterans at Arizona Department of Veterans Services.

There you will find access to many of Arizona’s benefit programs, as well as more information regarding each benefit available. 

For a complete list of VA hospitals, treatment centers, and other resources in Arizona, you can also go to the Arizona VA directory here: Arizona VA Facilities List


About the Author

Brian Reese
Brian Reese

Brian Reese

Brian Reese is one of the top VA disability benefits experts in the world and bestselling author of You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits You’ve Earned (Second Edition).

Brian’s frustration with the VA claim process led him to create VA Claims Insider, which provides disabled veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim, faster, even if they’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start. 

As the founder of VA Claims Insider and CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, he has helped serve more than 10 million military members and veterans since 2013 through free online educational resources.

He is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).

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