State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Oregon

Oregon offers property tax relief, education benefits, public employment preference and emergency financial assistance for eligible veterans and families. Military retirement has a limited subtraction tied to service before October 1991.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Oregon

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs

Helps veterans find benefits, services and resources.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 800-692-9666

Free help with VA claims

Use ODVA's directory to find a veteran service officer and arrange free claims help.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Partly exempt

Military retirement and federal pension subtraction

Who qualifies
Oregon taxpayers receiving military retirement attributable to service before October 1, 1991.
What you get
Military retirement is generally taxable. The portion attributable to federal service before October 1, 1991 can be subtracted.
How to apply
Full-year residents claim the eligible subtraction on Schedule OR-ASC.

Official page (opens in a new tab) ORS 316.680(1)(e)

Sources (3)

Education and tuition

Resident tuition for nonresident veterans

Who qualifies
Nonresident veterans enrolled in on-campus undergraduate or graduate study at an Oregon public university or community college, honorably discharged or discharged under general honorable conditions, who establish physical presence in Oregon within 12 months of enrollment.
What you get
Qualifying students pay no more than resident tuition and fees, subject to the statute's federal-tuition-benefit exception.
How to apply
Provide proof to the school that you established physical presence in Oregon within 12 months of enrollment.

Official page (opens in a new tab) ORS 350.290

Sources (1)

Tuition waiver for veterans' family members

Who qualifies
Resident-tuition-qualified children, spouses and unremarried surviving spouses of service members who died on active duty, died from a service-connected disability, or have a certified 100% service-connected disability. Children of qualifying Purple Heart recipients also qualify. Applicants must be admitted to a bachelor's or master's program. Children normally must apply at age 31 or younger; specified master's-degree exceptions apply.
What you get
Tuition waiver at eligible Oregon public universities and Oregon Health and Science University. The cap is four full-time years for a bachelor's degree and two for a master's degree, limited to credits needed to graduate. Other aid can reduce the waiver, but federal Chapter 35 benefits cannot.
How to apply
Apply for the waiver through your eligible institution. Establish resident-tuition status at the time of application.

Official page (opens in a new tab) ORS 350.285

Sources (1)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' preference in public employment

Who qualifies
Veterans and disabled veterans meeting Oregon's statutory definitions, plus current and former qualifying Oregon National Guard members, who pass the required screening or test and meet the job's minimum and special qualifications.
What you get
At initial scored screening, qualifying veterans and Guard members receive five percentage points; disabled veterans receive ten percentage points.
How to apply
After submitting your state job application, complete the Workday task requesting military documentation.

Official page (opens in a new tab) ORS 408.225 and 408.230

Sources (2)

Licenses, plates and parks

Disabled veteran combination hunting, fishing and shellfish license

Who qualifies
Veterans with at least a 25% disability rating certified by VA or a branch of the Armed Forces who meet Oregon residency requirements, generally six consecutive months immediately before applying.
What you get
Free combination hunting, angling and shellfish license.
How to apply
Complete the resident disabled veteran application and return it with the required disability letter.

Official page (opens in a new tab) ORS 497.002, 497.102 and 497.121

Sources (3)

Emergency financial help

Oregon Veterans' Emergency Financial Assistance Program

Who qualifies
Oregon veterans and their immediate families with an emergency financial need. Immediate family includes a spouse, unremarried surviving spouse, child or stepchild.
What you get
Emergency assistance for needs such as temporary housing, utilities, rent, food, medical or dental expenses and transportation.
How to apply
Submit the application through a Veteran Services Office or Veteran Advocate by the 10th of the month.

Official page (opens in a new tab) ORS 408.500

Sources (2)

State veterans homes

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 3, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.