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Washington benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Washington source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs can help you apply for them at no cost.
14 benefits from official sources1 not yet finalizedLast verified
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and contracted service officers
In effect
WDVA (Olympia) runs the state veterans homes, the state cemetery, counseling, transitional housing and benefits programs. It contracts accredited service officers statewide for free VA claims help, and county veterans assistance programs provide local aid.
“The Service Officers listed in the map above are contracted with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs to provide Accredited VA Claims Assistance.”
Property tax exemption for disabled veterans (RCW 84.36.381): income-based, 80% rating through 2026 taxes
In effect
Washington's senior and disabled property tax exemption covers veterans receiving VA compensation at a high service-connected rating or a total rating, when household disposable income is under the county threshold. For taxes due through 2026 the rating requirement is 80%. VA disability compensation and DIC are not counted as income, but military retirement pay is.
Who qualifies
Own and occupy the residence. VA compensation at 80%+ combined rating or a total rating (40%+ for 2027 taxes, see the next item). Income under the threshold. Surviving spouses aged 57+ of a recipient may continue.
Amount or details
Exempts excess levies and part or all of regular levies, based on income tier (e.g. the greater of $50,000 or 35% of value, up to $80,000 or 80% at the lowest tier). Widows and widowers of 100% disabled veterans may qualify for a separate DOR grant.
How to apply
Apply to your county assessor. DOR property tax: 360-534-1400.
“is exempt from all regular property taxes on the greater of $80,000 or 80 percent of the valuation of his or her residence;”
EHB 1106 (2025): disabled veteran rating requirement drops from 80% to 40% for 2027 taxes
Not yet finalized
Not final yet: The law took effect July 27, 2025, but applies only to taxes levied for collection in 2027 and after.
Expected effective date:
Starting with property taxes due in 2027, the rating needed to qualify for the senior and disabled exemption drops from 80% to 40% combined service-connected. A veteran rated 40% or higher by Dec 31, 2026 can apply for 2027.
Who qualifies
VA compensation at 40%+ combined rating, plus the program's ownership and income rules.
Amount or details
Rating threshold 40% (was 80%).
How to apply
Apply to your county assessor for the 2027 tax year.
“the disabled veteran combined service-connected evaluation rating for the Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities property tax exemption program is decreased from 80% or higher to 40% or higher.”
No individual income tax (military retirement untaxed). New 9.9% tax over $1M AGI from 2028
In effect
Washington has no individual income tax, so military retirement, VA benefits and other veteran income are not taxed by the state. SB 6346 (2026) creates a 9.9% tax on individual or joint AGI over $1 million, starting Jan 1, 2028.
Who qualifies
All residents.
Amount or details
No state income tax. From 2028, 9.9% on AGI over $1M.
How to apply
No filing needed. The first returns under the new tax are due April 2029.
“Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, a new 9.9% income tax will apply to individuals and married couples filing jointly with annual adjusted gross income exceeding $1 million.”
Free disabled American veteran / POW plates (RCW 46.18.235) and DV parking permit
In effect
Qualifying disabled veterans and former POWs get DAV or POW plates for one personal vehicle with no vehicle license fees, plate fees or excise taxes. WDVA lists the free plate for veterans with loss of use of both hands or one foot, blindness in both eyes from service, or 100% compensation expected to last more than a year. A DV parking permit is available to veterans rated 70%+ who use a service animal.
Who qualifies
See criteria in RCW 46.18.235(1).
Amount or details
No vehicle license fees, plate fees or excise taxes on one vehicle.
How to apply
Apply to the Department of Licensing with VA certification.
Veterans can add a Veteran designation to a Washington driver's license or ID with a DD-214 (honorable or general), a VA ID card, a retiree ID, or a WDVA letter.
Who qualifies
Honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge, or other listed proof.
Amount or details
Licensing fees may apply (see DOL).
How to apply
At a DOL office by appointment, or online. DOL: 360-902-3900.
Veteran tuition waivers and dependents' waiver (RCW 28B.15.621)
In effect
Public colleges may waive all or part of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and Guard members, and each school sets its own program. Schools must waive all undergraduate tuition and fees, up to 200 quarter credits, for eligible dependents of veterans or Guard members who are 100% disabled or died from service. A $500 per year book stipend is paid if funded.
Who qualifies
Defined in RCW 28B.15.621.
Amount or details
Veterans: varies by school. Dependents: full undergraduate tuition and fees for 200 quarter credits, plus a $500 per year book stipend if funded.
How to apply
Contact the college's veterans or financial aid office.
“The State Legislature requires state community colleges, colleges and universities to waive all undergraduate tuition and fees for eligible dependents of eligible veteran or national guard member up to 200 quarter credits or equivalent semester credits.”
Veterans' scoring criteria in public exams (RCW 41.04.010)
In effect
In competitive exams for state and local government jobs, veterans get 10% added to a passing score if they served in wartime or armed conflict and don't receive military retirement, otherwise 5%. Points apply until first appointment. There is a 5% promotional preference for employees called to active duty. SSB 5827 (2026) lets applicants use a predischarge certification.
Who qualifies
Veterans and uniformed service members with a qualifying discharge.
Amount or details
+10% / +5% on passing scores.
How to apply
Claim veteran scoring when applying. Attach a DD-214, NGB-22 or predischarge certification.
Financial assistance (county veterans assistance funds) and housing programs
In effect
WDVA lists county veterans assistance programs for emergency financial help, and runs a Veterans Transitional Housing Program. Its housing page also points to a veterans downpayment assistance program and a sales tax exemption for adapted housing for disabled veterans.
Who qualifies
Varies by county and program.
Amount or details
Varies.
How to apply
Contact your county veterans program or WDVA (800-562-2308).
Resident veterans with an honorable discharge and at least a 30% service-connected disability, or aged 65+ with any service-connected disability, can buy discounted combination fishing and hunting licenses. WDVA notes eligibility is changing under HB 2014 (the veteran definition).
Who qualifies
Resident. 30%+ service-connected, or 65+ with any service-connected disability, verified by a VA letter.
Amount or details
Discounted rates on WDFW's disability fee schedule.
“Resident veterans with honorable discharge with at least 30% service-connected disability as verified by VA letter.”
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass (State Parks)
In effect
Residents with a 30%+ service-connected disability get free day-use parking (no Discover Pass), boat launch, trailer dump, and free camping or moorage at state parks. It also gives Discover Pass privileges on WDFW and DNR lands. Since Oct 1, 2025, holders pay reservation and change fees ($8 online, $10 by phone).
Who qualifies
Washington resident veteran, 30%+ service-connected.
Amount or details
Free. Reservation fees apply.
How to apply
Send the Disabled Veteran Pass application to State Parks. (360) 902-8844, infocent@parks.wa.gov.
Washington Soldiers Home (Orting, 128 beds), Washington Veterans Home (Port Orchard/Retsil, 240 beds), Spokane Veterans Home (100 beds) and Walla Walla Veterans Home (80 beds).
Who qualifies
Washington veterans and eligible spouses, per WDVA admission rules.
Washington State Veterans Cemetery, Medical Lake (Tri-Cities cemetery planned)
In effect
Open to veterans who met minimum active duty service and were discharged other than dishonorably. Spouses, minor children and some adult disabled children are also eligible. A Tri-Cities cemetery is planned.
Who qualifies
See VA national cemetery criteria.
Amount or details
21702 W. Espanola Rd., Medical Lake. 509-299-6280.
How to apply
Request a pre-need eligibility determination or contact the cemetery.
“Burial in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery – Medical Lake is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement”
SB 5420 (C 207 L 26) expands eligibility for some pension, retirement and veterans' benefits based on military service, and adds the federal commissioned corps to the definition of uniformed services. SSB 5827 (C 146 L 26) accepts a predischarge certification as proof of a qualifying discharge for veterans' preference. 2ESHB 1541 changes the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Washington source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs about anything here.
WDVA's Property Tax Relief page still says 80% and is out of date. RCW 84.36.381's current text says 40% under EHB 1106, which applies from 2027 taxes, so both are reported.
The guessed DOR senior/disabled exemption URL returned 404. The DOR special notice and RCW were used instead.
WDFW fee amounts weren't reviewed; the WDVA summary was used. DOL veteran designation fee not captured.
No state cash bonus found. Not marked none_offered because no official statement of absence was found.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.