Washington Veteran Financial Benefits
Washington State Personal Income Tax: Washington does not impose a personal or corporate income tax. However, individuals or businesses operating in the state are subject to the business and occupation (B&O) tax and/or public utility tax.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption: Veterans with a 100% disability rating and an income under $40,000 (excluding VA disability payments) may qualify for a property tax exemption on their primary residence. Surviving spouses may also be eligible.
Washington State Property Tax Exemption: To be eligible, applicants must be at least 61 years old, or disabled, or a disabled veteran with an 80% service-connected disability. Applicants must own and occupy their home, and combined disposable income cannot exceed $40,000.
Property Tax Assistance for Surviving Spouses of Veterans: Eligible surviving spouses may receive property tax assistance as a grant. The amount is calculated based on income, home value, and local levy rates. The grant does not need to be repaid as long as the spouse continues to reside in the home through at least December 15 of the year it is granted.
Free License Plates for Disabled Veterans: Veterans who have held a 100% VA disability rating for at least one year may obtain a free disabled veteran vehicle license plate.
Sales Tax:
- Statewide: 6.5%
- Local municipalities: up to 3.9% additional
- Average combined rate (including local taxes): 8.68%
Recreation
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher—whether residents or non-residents—are eligible for discounted hunting and fishing licenses. Additionally, Veterans over the age of 65 with any level of disability may qualify.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Service members on active duty stationed in Washington are able to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass: Disabled Veterans with a minimum 30% disability rating can receive a complimentary lifetime pass. This pass provides free access to camping, campsite reservations, watercraft launches, trailer dump stations, and day-use admission at all Washington State Parks.
Education Programs
Washington State Education Tuition Waiver for Veterans: The State Legislature allows community colleges, colleges, and universities in Washington to waive all or part of tuition and fees for qualifying Veterans or National Guard members. Since each institution manages its own Veterans waiver program, it’s recommended to contact the college or university you plan to attend for specific program details.
Eligibility for the Washington State Education Tuition Waiver for Veterans: A qualifying Veteran or National Guard member is defined as a Washington resident who served as an active or reserve member of the U.S. military or naval forces, or as a National Guard member called to active duty. Eligible service must have been active federal duty under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code in a war or conflict overseas or in international waters, or in support of such operations. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge if separated from service.
Washington State Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children: This compact is designed to reduce obstacles to educational success for children of military families, who often face frequent moves and parental deployments, by:
- Ensuring timely enrollment and minimizing disadvantages from transferring school records or differing age/entrance requirements.
- Streamlining student placement so children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance, scheduling, grading, course content, or assessments.
- Supporting eligibility for enrollment, academic programs, and participation in extracurricular, athletic, and social activities.
- Promoting on-time graduation for military-connected children.
- Establishing and enforcing administrative rules for the compact.
- Standardizing the collection and sharing of information among member states, schools, and military families.
- Encouraging coordination with other compacts affecting military children.
- Fostering flexibility and cooperation between schools, parents, and students to help military children achieve educational success.
Housing: Listed below are the locations of Veterans Homes.
Washington State Veterans Home at Port Orchard
Eligibility for admission:
- Served at any time, in any branch of the United States Armed Forces including the National Guard
- Received an honorable discharge
- Reside in Washington State
- Be the Spouse or Surviving Spouse of an eligible Veteran
- Or be a Gold Star Parent
Employment and Job Training: Veteran Preference
In all state departments and public projects, honorably discharged Veterans from any U.S. war or military campaign (recognized with a campaign ribbon) and their surviving spouses receive hiring preference. Physical limitations, such as age or loss of limb, that do not prevent the Veteran from performing the job do not disqualify them.
Honorably discharged Veterans can receive an additional 5 points on state employment exam scores, while Veterans with a VA service-connected disability get 10 points. Mobilized National Guard or Reserve members receive a 5-point bonus.
Washington State Retirement System Military Service Credit
If you take a leave from a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems-covered job to serve in the U.S. military, your retirement membership is temporarily paused. Upon returning, you may reclaim service credit for your military service, known as “interruptive military service credit,” which can increase your retirement benefits.
Washington State WorkSource Veteran Services
Veterans and their spouses receive priority access to WorkSource services, including:
- Job listings, referrals, and hiring events
- Resume, application, and interview assistance
- Access to computers, copiers, and phones
- Skill assessments and referrals to training and other employment resources
Burials and Memorials
It is important to document your preference for burial in a national cemetery and the use of a VA-provided headstone, keeping this information with your personal and medical records.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors eligible Veterans and their families by offering a dignified final resting place and a lasting memorial recognizing the Veteran’s service to the nation.
Benefits include a gravesite in any open national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-provided headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Certain Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance. Cremated remains receive the same honors as casketed interments and may be inurned or interred in national cemeteries.
These benefits also cover eligible spouses and dependents, including burial next to the Veteran and perpetual care of the site. The name and relevant birth and death dates of the spouse or dependent are engraved on the Veteran’s headstone at no cost. Spouses and qualified dependents can be buried even if they predecease the Veteran and do not need to be interred in the same cemetery.
National Cemeteries include:
Kent: Tahoma National Cemetery
Seattle: Fort Lawton Post Cemetery
Washington Veteran Resources
Washington State offers Veterans access to a Regional Benefits Office as well as VA Medical Centers to support their healthcare and benefits needs.
Washington VA Regional Benefits Office
- Seattle: Seattle Regional Office
Washington VA Medical Centers
- Spokane: Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center
- Vancouver: VA Portland Health Care System – Vancouver Campus
- Walla Walla: Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center
Key Details on Washington Veteran Benefits
If you are applying for VA benefits in Washington for the first time, you’ll need to provide a copy of your DD Form 214 (discharge paperwork). This form includes your discharge status, full name, Social Security number, branch of service, and dates of service. Generally, Veterans with honorable or general discharges qualify for most VA benefits.
It’s crucial to store your paperwork and medical records securely in a location accessible to you and your family, such as a safe, to prevent loss or tampering.
Eligibility for most VA benefits requires discharge from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service includes full-time duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, Environmental Services Administration, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Veterans with dishonorable discharges due to bad conduct from general courts-martial may be ineligible for VA benefits. Veterans who are incarcerated or on parole may still qualify for certain benefits. VA regional offices can provide guidance on eligibility for individuals with multiple discharges or those with unique circumstances.
Information current as of November 2023.
Washington Veteran Benefits
Disabled Veterans in Washington with a VA disability rating of 90% or lower may qualify for extra benefits. Reach out to Vital Veterans Consultants for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. We can review your claim to see if you’re eligible for an increase in VA compensation and identify any additional benefits you may qualify for.
