Veteran Benefits & Resources in Arizona

Introduction

Arizona is home to more than 450,000 military veterans, making it one of the largest veteran populations in the United States. The state offers a wide range of support through state veteran benefits, VA healthcare systems, county Veteran Service Officers, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping veterans and their families.

This guide highlights key benefits, services, and organizations available in Arizona so veterans can easily find assistance with healthcare, housing, employment, and other resources.

Key Veteran Benefits in Arizona

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Arizona provides property tax exemptions for disabled veterans based on disability rating and income eligibility. Qualified veterans may receive significant reductions on the assessed value of their primary residence.

Source:
https://azdor.gov/property-tax/exemptions

Arizona Veterans Tuition Waiver

Arizona offers tuition waivers at public universities and community colleges for qualifying veterans and their dependents through several state programs and institutional initiatives.

Source:
https://dvs.az.gov/education-benefits

Arizona Military Family Relief Fund

The Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) provides financial assistance to service members, veterans, and their families facing financial hardship due to military service.

Source:
https://dvs.az.gov/military-family-relief-fund

Arizona Veteran Employment Preference

Veterans receive preference points for Arizona state government employment, improving their chances of securing state positions.

Source:
https://dvs.az.gov/veteran-employment

Veteran Designation on Arizona Driver License

Arizona allows veterans to add a “Veteran” designation to their driver license or state ID, making it easier to verify veteran status when accessing benefits or discounts.

Source:
https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/veteran-designation

VA & Healthcare Resources

Arizona veterans have access to a strong network of VA healthcare services.

VA Medical Centers

• Phoenix VA Health Care System
• Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
• Northern Arizona VA Health Care System

These facilities provide primary care, specialty care, mental health services, rehabilitation, and long-term care for veterans.

Community Clinics

Arizona also operates numerous VA outpatient clinics in communities such as Yuma, Lake Havasu City, Sierra Vista, Casa Grande, and Show Low.

Vet Centers

Vet Centers provide confidential counseling services, transition support, and assistance for combat veterans and their families.

VA Facility Locator
https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

County / Local Veteran Service Offices

Arizona veterans can receive assistance from County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) who help veterans:

• File VA disability claims
• Apply for state benefits
• Access healthcare services
• Obtain military records

Directory of Arizona County Veteran Service Officers:

https://dvs.az.gov/veterans-services/county-veteran-service-officers

Veteran Housing & Long-Term Care

Arizona State Veterans Homes

Arizona operates several state veterans homes providing skilled nursing care and long-term support for eligible veterans.

• Arizona State Veterans Home – Phoenix
• Arizona State Veterans Home – Tucson

Source:
https://dvs.az.gov/arizona-state-veterans-homes

Housing Assistance for Veterans

Arizona veterans experiencing housing instability can access assistance through VA programs such as HUD-VASH, as well as nonprofit housing programs operating throughout the state.

Source:
https://www.va.gov/homeless/

Veteran Charities & Nonprofit Support

Arizona Coalition for Military Families

Provides employment support, behavioral health services, and coordinated resources for service members, veterans, and their families across Arizona.

https://arizonacoalition.org

U.S. VETS – Phoenix

Offers housing, employment assistance, and support services for homeless and at-risk veterans in the Phoenix area.

https://usvets.org/locations/phoenix

Soldier’s Best Friend

Provides service dogs and training for veterans living with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.

https://soldiersbestfriend.org

Veteran-Owned Businesses & Entrepreneurship

Arizona offers several programs supporting veteran entrepreneurs.

Arizona Small Business Development Center Network

Provides counseling, training, and resources for veteran-owned businesses.

https://azsbdc.net

SBA Veterans Business Outreach Center

Offers mentorship, training, and resources to help veterans start and grow businesses.

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/veterans-business-outreach-center-vboc-program

Arizona Veteran-Owned Business Programs

Arizona veterans can also pursue federal Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification to compete for government contracts.

https://www.va.gov/osdbu/entrepreneurs/

Community Events & Veteran Engagement

Arizona hosts many programs and events that help veterans connect with support networks and career opportunities.

Common veteran-focused events include:

• Veteran job fairs and hiring events
• Homeless Veteran Stand Down events
• Community resource fairs
• Veteran networking groups and support programs

These events help veterans connect with employers, benefits counselors, and support organizations throughout the state.

How to Get Help

Veterans in Arizona can take the following steps to access assistance:

1. Contact your County Veteran Service Officer for help filing VA claims and accessing benefits.

2. Visit a VA medical center or clinic for healthcare services.

3. Explore benefits offered by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services.

4. Connect with veteran nonprofits that provide housing, employment, and community support.

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services
https://dvs.az.gov

Support Veteran-Owned Businesses

Know an Arizona veteran-owned business or nonprofit that should be featured?

Submit a nomination or tag them on the Veterans Intel Report Facebook page.

We highlight veteran-owned businesses every month as part of our Salute & Support Sunday series. 🇺🇸