Washington Veteran Benefits

Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities

Washington reduces or eliminates property taxes on a qualifying veteran's primary residence through the exemption program for seniors, people with disabilities, and disabled veterans. VA disability compensation is excluded from the income used to determine eligibility.

Eligibility: Own and occupy a primary residence in Washington; VA service-connected disability rating of 80% or higher (or a 100% total disability rating), or retired due to disability, or age 61+; combined disposable income at or below the county income threshold.

Estimated value: Partial to full exemption of residence property taxes depending on income

How to apply: Apply through your county assessor's office using the Department of Revenue exemption forms; WDVA Veterans Service Offices can assist for free.

Property Tax Deferral for Homeowners with Limited Income

Washington lets qualifying homeowners defer payment of property taxes and special assessments on their primary residence; the state pays the taxes and places a lien repaid when the home is sold or transferred. Veterans rated 80%+ service-connected and their disability compensation qualify for favorable income treatment.

Eligibility: Own and occupy a Washington primary residence; qualify as a senior, person with a disability, or veteran with an 80%+ (or total) VA service-connected rating; meet the program's combined disposable income limit.

Estimated value: Deferral of eligible property taxes (repaid at sale/transfer)

How to apply: File a deferral application with your county assessor; forms and instructions are on the Department of Revenue website.

Washington Veterans Tuition Waiver

State community and technical colleges, colleges, and universities may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for eligible Washington veterans and National Guard members attending public institutions.

Eligibility: Washington domiciliary who served in active federal service during a war or armed conflict (or in support of those forces) and, if separated, received an honorable discharge. Each institution sets and administers its own waiver program.

Estimated value: Waiver of all or part of tuition and fees at Washington public colleges

How to apply: Contact the veterans/financial aid office at the Washington public college or university you plan to attend to request the waiver.

Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Veterans

Washington public colleges and universities must waive undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible children and spouses of veterans who are totally disabled, died in service, or are POW/MIA.

Eligibility: Washington-domiciled spouse, or child age 17-26, of a veteran or National Guard member who is 100% VA-disabled, died in the line of duty, or is federally recognized as POW/MIA. Up to 200 quarter credits (or semester equivalent).

Estimated value: Waiver of undergraduate tuition and fees up to 200 quarter credits

How to apply: Apply through the Washington Student Achievement Council and the veterans/financial aid office at your chosen public institution.

Veterans' Preference in Public Employment

Washington adds a scoring preference to competitive examination scores for veterans and certain spouses/surviving spouses applying for state and local government jobs.

Eligibility: Veteran with a qualifying discharge: 10% added for wartime/armed-conflict veterans not receiving military retirement, or 5% for other qualifying veterans and those receiving military retirement. Preference applies until first appointment and not to promotional exams.

Estimated value: 5% or 10% added to passing exam scores

How to apply: Claim veterans' preference and provide your DD-214 when applying for State of Washington or local government positions.

Reduced-Fee Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

The Department of Fish & Wildlife issues combination hunting and fishing licenses at a reduced (resident) rate to qualifying veterans with a service-connected disability.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or more, or age 65+ with any service-connected disability rating. Non-residents who qualify pay the resident rate.

Estimated value: Reduced-fee (resident-rate) combination hunting/fishing license

How to apply: Mail your one-page VA disability percentage rating letter and the WDFW veterans reduced-fee application to the WDFW Licensing Division in Olympia.

Lifetime Disabled Veteran State Parks Pass

Washington State Parks offers a free lifetime pass that provides free day-use parking, free campsite use, free boat launch and trailer dump, and free park admission, and it replaces the need to buy a Discover Pass on state park, DNR, and WDFW lands.

Eligibility: Washington resident veteran with a combined service-connected VA disability rating of 30% or more.

Estimated value: Free lifetime park access (Discover Pass value ~$30/year) plus free camping and day-use

How to apply: Apply to Washington State Parks with proof of Washington residency and your VA award letter showing a 30%+ service-connected rating.

Disabled American Veteran License Plates

The Department of Licensing issues Disabled American Veteran plates that are exempt from license/registration fees on one personal-use vehicle per year and are valid for the life of the veteran.

Eligibility: Washington vehicle owner who served in the Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard with a qualifying discharge, and who is rated by the VA at 100% service-connected disability expected to last more than one year. Applies to personal-use passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes only.

Estimated value: Waived license/registration fees on one vehicle per year

How to apply: Submit a VA letter of eligibility verifying 100% service-connected disability with the Military Services and Veterans License Plate Application to DOL.

Veteran Designation on Driver License or ID Card

Washington veterans can add a free Veteran designation to their driver license or state ID card to easily verify veteran status for discounts and services.

Eligibility: Veterans who provide a DD-214 or equivalent showing an honorable or qualifying discharge, a VA ID card, a retired uniformed-services ID, or a WDVA eligibility letter. The designation itself is free; normal fees apply only if renewing or adding other endorsements.

Estimated value: Free veteran designation (free replacement card if only adding the designation)

How to apply: Submit qualifying documents to the Department of Licensing online or at a licensing office to request the designation.

Washington State Veterans Homes

WDVA operates four skilled-nursing veterans homes (Orting, Retsil/Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla) that provide 24-hour nursing-level long-term care in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities.

Eligibility: Served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces (including National Guard), reside in Washington, and have an honorable discharge; eligible spouses, widows/widowers, and Gold Star Parents may also qualify. Veterans rated 70-100% service-connected may receive care at no cost.

Estimated value: Skilled nursing care; no-cost care for veterans rated 70-100% service-connected

How to apply: Contact the WDVA veterans homes admissions team at 1-877-838-7787 to apply.

WDVA Counseling and Wellness Program

State-funded confidential counseling (individual, couples, family, and group) for Washington veterans and their families affected by military service, including PTSD and war-trauma care. No VA service-connected disability is required.

Eligibility: Washington veterans and family members who can demonstrate their mental health needs were impacted by military service. Services are free to qualified veterans and families.

Estimated value: Free confidential counseling services

How to apply: Use the WDVA 'Find a Counselor' directory to locate a licensed counselor by county and contact them directly.

Veterans Innovations Program (VIP)

WDVA provides emergency financial assistance, plus education, training, and employment support, to post-9/11 veterans facing financial hardship.

Eligibility: Washington resident who served on or after September 11, 2001 under honorable conditions (or is otherwise eligible for federal VA monetary benefits) and is experiencing financial hardship where income does not meet basic needs.

Estimated value: Emergency financial aid plus training/employment assistance

How to apply: Submit the WDVA VIP application; call 800-562-2308 or email [email protected] for help.

Veterans Estate Management Program

WDVA offers protective payee and fiduciary services for veterans and family members who are unable to manage their own finances, using their income to cover housing, food, clothing, and medical care.

Eligibility: Veterans and beneficiaries deemed in need of protective financial services, including those with a VA fiduciary appointment or Social Security representative-payee appointment.

How to apply: Contact WDVA to request enrollment in the Veterans Estate Management Program.

WDVA Property Tax Relief Guidance and Housing Resources

WDVA's Property Tax Relief and Housing Resources pages help veterans navigate the state's property tax exemption and deferral programs and connect to housing assistance, with free help from Veterans Service Officers.

Eligibility: Washington veterans and their families seeking help applying for property tax relief and housing support; specific program eligibility follows the underlying DOR exemption/deferral rules (e.g., 80%+ service-connected rating).

How to apply: Review the WDVA Property Tax Relief page and contact a WDVA Veterans Service Officer for free application assistance.