Veterans Administration: 1-800-827-1000 or https://www.va.gov/
VA Healthcare Enrollment: 1-801-584-1285 or 1-877-222-8387
State Veterans Cemetery: 1-801-254-9036
Education Benefits:
Employment Verification:
VA Claim Status: https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/
American Legion: 1-801-326-2380
Disabled American Veterans (DAV): 1-801-326-2375
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): 1-801-326-2385
“We are the Department in the government of the State of Utah that assists former and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents in numerous capacities. This includes the preparing of claims for and securing compensation, hospitalization, education, vocational training, and other benefits or privileges which Veterans and our current armed forces may be qualified for under Federal or State Law, or regulation, by reason of their military service.”
Serving Utah’s 170,000 Veterans, the Department offers a variety of services to assist Veterans in obtaining the benefits they may have earned through their military service. The UDVMA provides counseling and assistance to Veterans and their dependents with VA claims to process, establishing Veterans’ rights to state and federal benefits, and providing information and advisory services.
Our Outreach Program is designed to advise and educate Veterans on all of the benefits and programs that have been put in place to assist them by many federal and state agencies. The Outreach Program consists of two components — Community Outreach and Special Events Outreach. Community Outreach consists of Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) and Outreach representatives meeting with Veterans at predetermined locations throughout the state for unscheduled assistance. These are usually held at Department of Workforce Services (DWS) offices. Special Events Outreach consists of attending various events and venues where Veterans can receive general information regarding benefits and programs of interest to them, and have the opportunity to set up appointments for further assistance.
The simple answer is no. Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs is not part of the Veterans Administration. We are your Utah State representatives.
“We are the Department in the government of the State of Utah that assists former and present members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents in numerous capacities. This includes the preparing of claims for and securing compensation, hospitalization, education, vocational training, and other benefits or privileges which Veterans and our current armed forces may be qualified for under Federal or State Law, or regulation, by reason of their military service.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs was established as an independent agency under the President by Executive Order 5398 on July 21, 1930, and was elevated to Cabinet level on March 15, 1989 (PL No. 100-527). The Department’s mission is to serve America’s Veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and to be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials promoting the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans in recognition of their service to this Nation. VA is the second largest Federal department and has over 312,000 employees. Among the many professions represented in the vast VA workforce are physicians, nurses, counselors, statisticians, architects, computer specialists, and attorneys. As advocates for Veterans and their families, the VA community is committed to providing the very best services with an attitude of caring and courtesy. VA comprises a Central Office (VACO), which is located in Washington, DC, and field facilities throughout the Nation administered by its three major line organizations: the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Services and benefits are provided through a nationwide network of 151 medical centers, 820 community-based outpatient clinics, 300 Vet Centers, 56 regional offices, and 131 national and 90 State or tribal cemeteries.
There are a number of ways to apply for VA disability benefits depending on the type of benefit you are seeking. To apply:
There are several ways to check the status for VA disability claims. You can check online using an eBenefits account, or you can go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. The Salt Lake Regional Office located at 550 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City Utah. You can also call the VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000.
If your home of record upon your release from active duty service was within the State of Utah, then the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs may have a copy in our archive. You can send a request to 550 Foothill Drive, Suite 105 Salt Lake City, Utah 84113; call 800-894-9497 or 801-326-2372; or you can email veterans@utah.gov. To search the archive we will need your:
There is no cost for certified copies of your DD214. You will need to be present and present valid photo identification at 550 Foothill Drive, Suite 105, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113 to receive your certified copies.
A Utah permanent place-of-residence property tax abatement using the military service-connected disability rating percentage is available for disabled Veterans, their un-remarried widows, or minor orphans. The Veteran’s disability rating must be at least 10% in order to qualify for this abatement. Here is the formula used to determine eligibility: The maximum property tax abatement rated at 100% military service-connected disability is $244,064. Multiply your percentage of disability by 244,064. Example: a 10% disability X 244,064 = $24,406.40 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 Abatement, request a Summary of Benefits Letter from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Once received, submit the letter with a completed Property Tax Abatement application, on or before 01 SEP, to the applicable county treasurer, tax assessor, or clerk/recorder located in the county courthouse or county government building of the county in which the property is located. All property must be on record as of 01 JAN of the year you wish to file. However, a recent change allows qualified widows and orphans an exemption to that rule. Disabled Veterans only have to file for the abatement one time; after which it will automatically renew each year. However, Veterans will have to refile if:
Ref: (Utah Code 59-2-1104 & 1105).
To find a Veteran Service Officer outside of the Salt Lake City Area you can contact one of our officers in a region nearest you. https://veterans.utah.gov/regional-offices/ or you can call 800-894-9497 or 801-326-2372.
Veterans who are nursing home patients, otherwise determined by Veterans Administration to need regular Aid and Attendance of another person, or who are permanently housebound may be qualified for higher income limitations or additional VA benefits, depending upon the type of VA Pension.
Additional information and assistance in applying to the Aid and Attendance benefit may be obtained by calling 800-827-1000.
Applications may be submitted online at https://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp.
Information is also available on the internet at www.va.gov or you can work with an accredited service representative:
Effective July 7, 2014: the VA is changing its monetary burial benefits regulations to simplify the program and pay eligible survivors more quickly and efficiently. These regulations will authorize the VA to pay, without a written application, most eligible surviving spouses basic monetary burial benefits at the maximum amount authorized in law through automated systems rather than reimbursing them for actual costs incurred.
An accrued benefit is not considered a death benefit, but a benefit owed to the veteran for a period prior to his death. Generally, accrued benefits are payable to the surviving spouse, and, if there is none, then to the surviving children in equal shares. Like in the case of death benefits, survivors become the claimants in these VA proceedings.
A survivor of a deceased veteran is qualified for accrued benefits only if the entitlement derives from an existing rating or other VA decision or from a pending claim filed by the deceased veteran.
One important requirement of an accrued benefits claim is that it must be filed within one year of the death of the veteran.
Another important limitation of accrued benefits claims are that they are decided only on the evidence existing at the time of the veteran’s death. A claimant may not submit additional evidence, such as private medical reports, to establishment entitlement to benefits. The only post-death evidence which can be considered is the death certificate.
In order to be eligible for Burial Benefits through the VA, the following must be true.
NOTE: The VA does not pay burial benefits if the deceased:
To file for Death and Burial Benefits:
The Utah State Veterans Cemetery follows the eligibility requirements of the VA National Cemetery System. Any U.S. Armed Forces active personnel who die while performing duty or after having served during wartime are eligible for burial. Reservist and National Guard retired personnel with 20 years of service are also eligible, as are surviving spouses and dependent children (under rules established by the State of Utah; Utah Code 71-7-3) Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park 17111 South Camp Williams Road Bluffdale, Utah 84065 Phone: (801) 254-9036.
Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of Veterans and Service Members. Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance. Currently, 25% of those benefiting from the VA’s education programs are non-Veterans. Some might find they're eligible for more than one benefit, or that one program is more suited to certain education and training goals than another.
Learn about these and other education and training programs administered by the VA or start your application now:
To contact the Veterans Educational Benefits toll-free hotline at 888-442-4551 or VA Regional Processing Office U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 125 South Main Street Muskogee, OK 74401.
To correct military records use form DD149 (Application for Correction of Military Record). DD149 forms may be obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs upon request, by calling toll-free 800-827-1000. Generally, DD149 requests for correction of military records should be filed within three years after the discovery of the alleged error or injustice.
However, boards for correction of military records may excuse failure to file within the three-year time limit if it is found to be in the interest of justice to do so. Veterans, survivors, or legal representatives of veterans may file a DD149 Applications for Correction of Military Records. There are many good reasons for correcting military records, DD214 contains erroneous information, medals/decorations authorized but not received, weapons qualification record incorrect, promotions record/rank information outdated, satisfactory years/retirement points errors, service records having miscellaneous errors or omissions.
Disabled license plates having the blue and white international symbol of accessibility decal may be obtained by submitting a TC 842 application form to Division of Motor Vehicles, accompanied by a certification from a licensed physician stating: (1) the disability limits or impairs one’s ability to walk as defined in the 1991 Federal Uniform System for Handicapped Parking, and (2) the time period the physician determines the disability will continue.
Disabled Veterans applying for Utah disability license plates should note that Veteran disability letters from the VA Regional Office are not acceptable evidence to Tax Commission / Motor Vehicle offices. However, licensed physician certifications by VA doctors are acceptable evidence, provided they provide the same information as stated above.
Normal fees for plate transfer, registration, and property taxes still must be paid upon initial application and renewal of disability license plates. Upon request, one additional disability windshield placard may be issued to disabled persons applying for or already possessing disability special group license plates.
For more information, call the Division of Motor Vehicles toll-free at (800) DMV-UTAH [368-8824] (Utah Code 41-1a-420)
The Utah Veterans Legal Clinic is held on the 2nd Thursday of each Month from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the George E Wahlen VA Medical Center, Bldg. 8 Multipurpose Center. You can talk to an attorney at no cost.
Concurrent Receipt or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay(CRDP) is a benefit managed through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) that allows qualified military retirees to receive full military retirement and VA disability compensation. This law phases out the VA disability offset, thus military retirees with 20 or more years of service and a 50% (or higher) VA rated disability will no longer have their military retirement reduced by the amount of their VA disability compensation. This program is run by the Department of Defense; it is not a VA program. If you are qualified for concurrent receipt, you should have automatically received and increase in your military retirement.
Under these rules, you may be qualified for CRDP if…
For more information please contact the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at 800-321-1080.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments are available for un-remarried surviving spouses, surviving spouses who remarry after age 57, children under age 18, and children ages 18 to 23 (if attending a VA approved schools).
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
DIC payments may also be authorized for surviving dependents of Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability at time of death but whose death did not result from service-connected disability, if the Veteran was continuously rated totally disabled for 10 or more years immediately before death.
Quality nursing and health care services are provided for Utah Veterans with U.S. military service during peacetime or wartime. While wartime service is not a requirement for admission to the homes, wartime Veterans with one day or more of wartime service, as recognized by state and federal laws, receive priority. A Veteran’s spouse or surviving spouse may also qualify for admission to the Utah State Veterans Homes, providing the marriage to the Veteran occurred at least one year before the application. There are currently four (4) Veterans homes located in Utah for eligible Veterans, spouses, and Gold Star parents. These Veterans homes focus on improving the quality of life of the residents by providing skilled nursing care and many activities designed to enrich the lives of the residents. The current locations are:
Convalescence / Temporary Rating (Surgery/Immobilization)
A temporary 100% rating is for convalescence based on surgery or immobilization of a joint by a cast without surgery for a service-connected disability. The temporary 100% rating may continue for 1 to 3 months depending on individual circumstances. Extensions up to an additional 3 months may be granted in severe cases.
If the surgery or procedure was at a VA facility, simply tell us when you apply and we will obtain the records for you.
Eligibility Requirements
Evidence Requirements
Individual Unemployability is a part of VA's disability compensation program that allows the VA to pay certain Veterans disability compensation at the 100% rate, even though VA has not rated their service-connected disabilities at the total level.
Eligibility Requirements:
Evidence Requirements:
You can apply:
If you are a Veteran in crisis call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. There is the walk-in PTSD Clinic every Tuesday 11:00 A.M. the George E Wahlen VA Medical Center Building 16, 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, Utah.
Utah National Guard Headquarters
12953 South Minuteman Drive, Draper, Utah 84020
Phone: 801 432-4400
You can register for an eBenefits account online using the eBenefits DS Logon Account Registration Wizard. You will be walked through a series of questions to assist you in obtaining a Premium eBenefits Account, which gives you the highest level of access to eBenefits features. To get a Premium eBenefits Account, you must verify your identity. Many people will be able to verify their identity online by answering a few security questions. Service members may verify their identity online by using their Common Access Card (CAC). Military retirees may verify their identity online using their Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Logon. For those unable to verify their identity online, you will instantly receive a Basic Account. However, Veterans in receipt of VA benefits via direct deposit may have their identity verified by calling 1-800-827-1000 and selecting option 7. My HealtheVet users with a DS Logon may use their secure identity to access eBenefits. Others may need to visit a VA Regional Office or TRICARE Service Center to have their identities verified in person.
The published number for the Veterans Administration is
1-800-827-1000.
Contacting this number can be frustrating with long hold times, extensive phone tree options, and worst of all being disconnected after waiting. For Utah Veterans calling between 05:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m. increases the opportunity to speak to a live person. Another option is to call after 07:00 p.m. and schedule a telephone appointment with the VA. The times scheduled are based on East Coast time (09:00 a.m. Utah time is 11:00 a.m. East Coast time).