Washington offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Washington State Veterans Home
Washington state operates four state veterans homes situated in Ortig, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. Admission requires an honorable discharge, with eligibility extending to spouses, surviving spouses, and gold star parents, albeit with associated care costs.
Washington Veteran Financial Benefits
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of 80% or higher, or are over the age of 61 with income below specific thresholds (which vary by county), might qualify for property tax exemption on their homes. Surviving spouses may also be eligible.
Financial Assistance
The majority of counties offer financial assistance programs tailored for military and veteran families.
Washington State Veteran Education Benefits
Free Tuition For Dependents
Dependents of military members who died in service or are permanently and totally disabled veterans can receive up to 200 hours of tuition-free education at state schools. Children must be aged between 17 and 26, while spouses and surviving spouses remain eligible for 10 years from the date of death or the date of VA rating.
Washington Veteran Employment Benefits
State Employment
Combat veterans who have been honorably discharged or possess a campaign ribbon, along with their surviving spouses, receive priority consideration for state employment. Additionally, for state jobs necessitating an examination, a 5% score boost is granted to non-combat veterans, 10% to combat veterans, and 5% to mobilized guard or reserve members. Veterans receiving military retirement are awarded a 5% score increase irrespective of their combat status. Honorable discharge is a prerequisite for these benefits.
Military Service Credit
The Washington State Department of Retirement Systems provides eligible public employees with military service credit options.
Translating Military Training or Experience to WA State License or Credentials
Individuals with military training and experience may have the opportunity to apply it towards meeting specific civilian healthcare profession credentialing requirements, pending state determination of its substantial equivalence to established standards.
Military Commercial Drivers License Skills Test Waiver
Veterans aiming for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) may receive a skills test waiver if they are presently licensed and have operated a CDL within the last 90 days as part of their military responsibilities. However, the written test requirement cannot be waived.
Washington Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Disabled veterans with a disability rating of 30% or higher, whether resident or non-resident, are eligible for discounted hunting and fishing licenses. Additionally, individuals aged 65 and above with any disability can also avail themselves of these licenses, which include access to DMV lands.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Active duty members stationed in Washington are eligible to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass
Disabled veterans with a disability rating of at least 30% can obtain a complimentary lifetime pass. This pass provides free access to camping, moorage, campsite reservations, watercraft launching, trailer dump, and day use at all state parks.
Washington State Veterans Cemetery
The Washington State Veterans Cemetery is situated in Medical Lake. Eligibility for burial generally extends to veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, as well as their spouses and dependent children, without any residency requirement.
There is no charge for veteran interments, while eligible dependents incur a one-time fee of $300. All additional funeral expenses are the responsibility of the family.
