State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Washington

Washington offers income-tested property-tax relief, college tuition waivers, state veterans homes, recreation discounts, and public-employment preference. Military retirement is not subject to a personal income tax in 2026, but enacted changes affect property-tax relief in 2027 and high-income taxation in 2028.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Washington

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

Administers state veterans programs and assistance for veterans and their dependents.

Agency website (opens in a new tab)

Free help with VA claims

WDVA supports local accredited veterans service officers through a state-funded county program. Accredited VSO representation on VA benefit claims is free.

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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

Property-tax exemption for disabled veterans

Who qualifies
For 2026, the main disabled-veteran route covers veterans entitled to and receiving VA compensation at a service-connected disability rating of at least 80%. Applicants must own and occupy their principal residence and meet the county's combined disposable-income limit. Separate total-disability, senior, and surviving-spouse pathways may apply.
What you get
Reduces qualifying property taxes according to combined disposable income and the applicable county thresholds. This is income-tested relief rather than a blanket exemption for every disabled veteran.
How to apply
Use the Revenue Department's exemption forms and work with the county assessor. A claim may be filed during the year for taxes payable the following year.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 84.36.381 and 84.36.385

Sources (3)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: No income tax

Washington has no personal income tax on military retirement in 2026. The enacted high-income tax begins in 2028; see changes_pending. This does not mean every other type of income or transaction is tax-free.

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Veteran and National Guard tuition waivers

Who qualifies
Washington-domiciled veterans or activated National Guard members with qualifying federal war or conflict service overseas, in international waters, or supporting that service. A qualifying discharge is required if separated.
What you get
Public colleges may waive all or part of tuition and fees. The veteran waiver is discretionary, so the school's policy determines availability and amount.
How to apply
Ask the public college about its veteran tuition-waiver policy.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 28B.15.621(2), (3), and (8)

Sources (1)

Tuition waiver for eligible veterans' families

Who qualifies
Children and spouses or domestic partners of eligible veterans or Guard members who became 100% disabled as determined by VA through active federal service, are POW or MIA, or died through that service. The sponsor must meet the statute's Washington domicile, service, and discharge rules. Children must be Washington domiciliaries ages 17 to 26. Surviving spouses or partners must be Washington domiciliaries and remain unremarried or without a new registered partnership.
What you get
Public colleges must waive undergraduate tuition and fees. Use is capped at 250 quarter credits or the semester equivalent, with satisfactory academic progress required. Graduate waivers are discretionary.
How to apply
Ask the public college to determine eligibility for the statutory family waiver.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 28B.15.621(4), (5), and (8)

Sources (1)

Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant

Who qualifies
Resident students who are active drilling Washington National Guard members in good standing, or their designated eligible spouse or dependent. Enrollment must lead to a degree or certificate at an eligible Washington institution. The member incurs at least one year of Guard service for each year of grant funding.
What you get
A conditional grant helps cover postsecondary education costs, subject to appropriations and other aid. The member and designated family share a maximum of six full-time years or the equivalent. Awards can require repayment if service obligations are not met.
How to apply
Complete the online National Guard Grant application and a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 28B.103.010 and 28B.103.020

Sources (3)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' public-employment preference

Who qualifies
Veterans with qualifying discharge and service under the applicable statutes. Main examination pathway: armed forces, Guard, or Reserve members who fulfilled their initial service obligation. General hiring preference also covers qualifying surviving spouses, spouses of active-duty service members, and spouses of qualifying veterans with permanent and total service-connected disability.
What you get
For competitive examinations, 10% is added to a passing score for qualifying wartime or armed-conflict service without military retirement, and 5% for other qualifying veterans or those receiving military retirement. The initial-appointment preference does not apply to promotion exams.
How to apply
Claim scoring preference with qualifying discharge documentation. Current law also permits a qualifying predischarge certification with later discharge-document follow-up.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 41.04.010; RCW 73.16.010; RCW 73.04.005

Sources (4)

Licenses, plates and parks

Reduced hunting and fishing licenses

Who qualifies
Washington residents with a qualifying military discharge and a service-connected disability of at least 30%, or residents age 65 or older with a qualifying discharge and any service-connected disability.
What you get
The current statute sets the combination fishing license at $6.90 and hunting licenses at youth-license rates. Qualifying nonresident disabled veterans instead receive the nondisabled resident rate.
How to apply
Submit a written application to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for eligibility verification.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 77.32.480

Sources (1)

Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass

Who qualifies
Washington resident veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 30%.
What you get
A no-cost lifetime pass provides free state-park camping for the holder's camping unit and access to state recreation lands with the benefits of a Discover Pass. Concession-operated facilities are excluded.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 79A.05.065(3), (5)

Sources (1)

Veteran designation on driver's license

Who qualifies
Veterans meeting RCW 41.04.007 who provide an accepted service document. The main pathway covers armed forces, Guard, or Reserve members who fulfilled their initial service obligation and received a qualifying discharge.
What you get
Adds veteran status to the driver's license.
How to apply
Apply to the Department of Licensing with an accepted document, such as a VA identification card or proof-of-service letter.

Official page (opens in a new tab) RCW 46.20.161(4); RCW 41.04.007

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

Changes on the way

  • Takes effect January 1, 2027: For taxes collected in 2027, the disabled-veteran property-tax exemption rating threshold becomes 40% or higher. The 2026 amendments also change exemption amounts; use the applicable tax-year rules, not the consolidated statute alone, for a 2026 bill.
    Sources (1)
  • Takes effect January 1, 2028: Enacted law imposes a 9.90% tax on Washington taxable income beginning January 1, 2028. The initial standard deduction is $1,000,000 per individual or combined for spouses or registered domestic partners. The 2026 no-income-tax label must not be carried forward without rechecking this law.
    Sources (2)

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.