Spouses, family members and care takers are vital to the success of our military. Like Veterans and service members, their service and sacrifice have earned them benefits and tailored programs in areas of employment, healthcare, education, and more. Below you will find more information on those benefits and other available resources.
Federal Benefits
As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits form the VA, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training. As the survivor of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation.
If you’re caring for a Veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you better care for the Veteran—and for yourself. Find out which benefits you may qualify for and how to access them.
Learn more: VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, and Family Caregivers
The Military Family Readiness System is a system of programs and services operated by the Department of Defense and other federal, state, and community-based agencies and organizations. The Military Family Readiness System enhances military family readiness and resilience and promotes military family well-being. Collaboration and integration across the system promotes positive outcomes for service members and their families across the domains of career, social, financial, health and community engagement.
The Military Family Readiness System supports every service member and family member, regardless of activation status or location, in person, by phone and online.
Learn more: DOD – Military Family Readiness System
State Benefits
If you are seeking employment in the state of Utah, the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) website is a great place to start. This site brings together job seekers and potential employers from across Utah in one spot. As a spouse of a veteran or service member, you can create a profile, access job postings, participate in employment workshops, and learn about upcoming hiring events in your area. You can also speak to a Veteran employment specialist for more guidance.
Learn more: Utah DWS – Military Spouse Employment
The ACE Program is designed to assist Utah veterans, members of the Active Components, actively drilling members of the Guard and Reserve and their respective spouses, overcome barriers to employment or better employment. It is intended to provide an avenue for eligible participants to gain employment in the civilian job market by capitalizing on their past experience, training and knowledge or by assisting them with short-term training that leads to a certificate or license.
Learn more: Accelerated Credentialing to Employment (ACE)
Members of the armed forces and their families are often more affected than other groups by licensing restrictions because of frequent relocations. To ease this burden, the Utah Legislature has authorized certain fee waivers and license exemptions for qualifying military personnel and military spouses.
Learn more: Utah DOPL – Military Resources
The Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park is a state-operated cemetery located just north of Camp Williams in Bluffdale, Utah. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Wasatch Mountains and pays tribute as an honored burial ground to Veterans, their spouses, and dependent children.
You or your family can choose any funeral home or mortuary to help plan your services. Bring the veteran’s DD-214 or military discharge paperwork to the mortuary. The mortuary will send the DD-214 to the cemetery. The mortuary will also contact the cemetery to reserve a day and time for the graveside service and burial. To schedule a burial please contact the cemetery directly at 801-254-9036.
Learn more: Utah Veterans Cemetery
The State of Utah has four beautiful Veteran nursing homes for Veterans needing long-term care. The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs oversees these homes and the day-to-day operations are provided by a contracted private healthcare provider. All four homes carry a 5-star rating by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services.
In general, a Veteran is eligible for admission to these homes if they served on active duty or deployed while serving in the reserves. There is no cost for veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability (SCD). For Veterans with no SCD or an SCD that is less than 70%, the VA subsidizes the cost with a per diem of approximately $120 a day. Spouses of Veterans and Gold Star Parents are also eligible for admission, however the cost of care is not covered or subsidized by the VA.
Learn more: Utah Veterans Homes
Additional Support
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) is part of the Army Casualty Continuum of Care. It’s designed to provide long-term support to surviving Families of Fallen Soldiers. Our goal is to reassure Survivors that they remain valued members of the Army Family. The AR SOS Support Coordinators (SC) purpose is to serve as the long-term support for Survivors of Fallen Soldiers, regardless of cause of death or component. SCs advocate for Surviving Family Members, and provide support, information and services closest to where family members reside.
Learn more: Survivor Outreach Services
"Magnify Utah" is a program initiated by Utah's Office of Multicultural Affairs and serves as a vital resource for military families transitioning to Utah. In a state with a rich tapestry of cultures, Magnify Utah facilitates the integration of military families into their new communities by highlighting the diverse traditions, languages, and customs that make up Utah's cultural landscape. Through tailored events, workshops, and online platforms, Magnify Utah creates opportunities for military families to connect with local communities, fostering understanding and appreciation. By embracing the diversity of Utah, MAGNIFY supports military families in building meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging as they navigate the challenges of relocation.
Learn more: Magnify Utah
The Five and Thrive initiative is designed to enhance the quality of life for military families by focusing on five key areas: Childcare, Education, Healthcare, Housing, and Spouse Employment. It aims to consolidate quality-of-life resources into a centralized platform, educate military families about available resources and best practices, advocate for improvements in these areas, foster community partnerships, and highlight the exceptional contributions of military spouses.
Learn more: Five & Thrive
The families of our all-volunteer military make unprecedented sacrifices these days to serve our country. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We're committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another. The Utah Chapter of Blue Star Families is committed to supporting the military families here in the state.
Learn more: Blue Star Families of Utah
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side.
Today’s USO continuously adapts to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families by offering various programs and support services.
Learn more: USO Utah
Wounded Warriors is a top-rated, Veteran founded, and Veteran run charity directly serving the needs of our Nation's Wounded Veterans and their families. They offer programs and services for families and caregivers to assist in the care of our heroes that have sacrificed for our freedoms.
Learn more: Wounded Warriors Family Support
The state of Utah is committed to reducing suicide and improving mental health among service members, Veterans, and their families. One way this is done is increasing awareness of the various federal, state, and local resources that can help those struggling. There are people trained, willing, and waiting to provide counseling, support, and other assistance.
Learn more: Mental Health Resources