Veterans Guide: St. George, Utah

The VA Southern Utah Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is located in St. George and provides primary care, mental health services, women's health, laboratory, and telehealth services to eligible veterans. For specialty care and inpatient services, veterans are referred to the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System or may access community care providers through the VA Community Care Network.

Veterans in Washington County can access VA disability claims assistance through the Utah Division of Veterans Affairs, the Utah State Veterans Service Officers, and accredited claims agents. Disability compensation, pension benefits, education benefits (GI Bill), home loan guarantees, life insurance, and burial benefits are among the programs available to qualifying veterans and their dependents.

St. George is home to active chapters of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and AMVETS. These organizations provide benefits counseling, legislative advocacy, social events, and peer support for veterans and their families. Many chapters maintain meeting halls that serve as community gathering spaces for the local veteran population.

Veterans transitioning to civilian employment in Southern Utah can access job placement assistance through the Utah Department of Workforce Services' veteran employment specialist program. The American Job Center in St. George provides resume assistance, job search tools, and connections to veteran-friendly employers. Hire Heroes USA and the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program are also available for eligible veterans.

Utah Tech University is an approved GI Bill institution, accepting Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), and other VA education programs. The Yellow Ribbon Program at UTech helps reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for eligible veterans. UTech's Veterans Center provides enrollment assistance, peer support from other student veterans, and connections to campus resources.

VA Home Loan guarantees enable eligible veterans to purchase homes with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, typically at competitive interest rates. HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing) vouchers assist homeless veterans with housing and supportive services. The Utah Veteran Housing Initiative coordinates resources for veterans experiencing housing instability in Washington County.

The VA Southern Utah CBOC provides mental health services including individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric medication management. The Veterans Crisis Line (988, Press 1) is available 24/7 for veterans in crisis. Vet Centers provide community-based readjustment counseling for combat veterans, MST survivors, and their families. Local nonprofit organizations also provide mental health support specifically for veteran populations.

St. George has become a popular retirement destination for military retirees drawn by Utah's veteran-friendly tax environment — Utah exempts the first $4,524 of military retirement pay from state income tax with expanded exemptions for qualifying veterans. The mild winter climate, outdoor recreation, and growing healthcare infrastructure make Southern Utah attractive to retirees from all branches of service. The active veteran community hosts events, recognitions, and mutual support networks.

Where is the VA clinic located in St. George, Utah?

The VA Southern Utah Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is located in St. George at 576 S Prosper Road, St. George, UT 84790. Phone: (435) 634-7608. The clinic provides primary care, mental health services, women's health, social work, laboratory services, and telehealth for eligible veterans. Hours are typically Monday through Friday during normal business hours. For specialty care, surgical procedures, or inpatient hospitalization, veterans are referred to the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System (approximately 4.5 hours north) or authorized to use community care providers locally through the VA Community Care Network.

Who is eligible for VA health services in Southern Utah?

VA healthcare eligibility is primarily based on active duty service (minimum 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to duty), an honorable or general discharge, and enrolment in the VA health care system. Veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs, and veterans of certain periods and theaters of war may qualify for enhanced eligibility. Income and assets may affect copay requirements but not basic eligibility. To enroll, complete VA Form 10-10EZ online at va.gov, call 1-877-222-8387, or visit the St. George CBOC to apply in person. National Guard and Reserve veterans may qualify based on active duty federal service.

What veteran organizations are active in St. George?

St. George has active chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 3543), American Legion (Post 90), Disabled American Veterans (DAV Chapter 14), and AMVETS. These organizations hold regular meetings, provide benefits counseling, conduct community service activities, and organize veteran recognition events including Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. The Washington County Veterans Memorial features a monument honoring the military service of local veterans. Many veteran service organizations also provide emergency financial assistance, food assistance, and peer support through member-funded programs.

Can I use my GI Bill at Utah Tech University in St. George?

Yes. Utah Tech University (UTech) in St. George is an approved VA education facility accepting Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30), Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31), and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35). UTech participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients, reducing or eliminating out-of-pocket tuition costs above the state tuition cap. UTech's Veterans Center is located on campus and provides enrollment certification, peer support, and connections to VA benefits navigators. Contact UTech's Veterans Center at (435) 652-7510 for personalized enrollment assistance.

Is there a veteran property tax exemption in Utah?

Utah provides property tax exemptions for qualifying veterans. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or more from the VA qualify for a partial property tax exemption on their primary residence. The exemption amount is based on the disability rating — a 100% disabled veteran qualifies for a full property tax exemption. Unmarried surviving spouses of veterans killed in action or who died from a service-connected disability may also qualify. Applications are filed with the Washington County Assessor's office and require a copy of your VA rating decision letter. The exemption is not automatic — veterans must apply each year. Contact the Washington County Assessor at (435) 634-5703 for current exemption amounts and application deadlines.

What emergency financial assistance is available for veterans in St. George?

Veterans in St. George facing financial emergencies have several options. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion chapters maintain emergency assistance funds for members and sometimes non-members in genuine crisis. The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs administers the Utah Veteran Emergency Assistance Program (VEAP), which provides one-time financial assistance for qualifying veterans facing housing, utility, food, or medical crises. The VA's Financial Hardship program can reduce or defer VA copayments for veterans with documented hardship. The Salvation Army, Catholic Community Services of Southern Utah, and Community Impact Center in St. George all provide emergency assistance that veterans can access. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and HUD-VASH coordinate housing assistance for veterans experiencing homelessness.

St. George, Utah serves a substantial and growing veteran population drawn by the region's combination of veteran-friendly state policies, outdoor recreation, healthcare access, and community spirit. Utah consistently ranks among the most veteran-friendly states nationally, with tax exemptions for military retirement pay, a strong National Guard presence, and robust community support for service members and their families. Washington County's veteran population includes both longtime residents who built lives in Southern Utah after service, and newer arrivals drawn by the same Sun Belt migration trends that have made St. George one of America's fastest-growing cities. The VA Southern Utah Community Based Outpatient Clinic provides an important local healthcare anchor, and the community care network expansion has improved access to specialty care without requiring the long drive to Salt Lake City.

For veterans transitioning from active duty, St. George offers meaningful employment opportunities in healthcare, construction, technology, education, and the growing tourism economy. Utah Tech University's veteran-friendly campus provides accessible higher education with GI Bill benefits, and the Yellowribbon program helps cover costs beyond standard benefit caps. The active chapters of VFW, American Legion, and DAV provide more than social connection — they serve as frontline advocates for benefits claims, emergency financial assistance, and legislative representation. For military retirees considering Southern Utah as a retirement destination, the math is compelling: Utah's partial military retirement income tax exemption, low property taxes with disabled veteran exemptions, affordable (by western standards) cost of living, and access to world-class outdoor recreation create an appealing quality-of-life equation for those who have given years to their country's service.