Washington veteran benefits
Veteran Compass lists 36 Washington programs for veterans and their families. Each one links to the official government page, because rules, amounts and deadlines change. This is a guide to what is worth looking into, not a decision about whether you qualify. Federal VA benefits, such as health care, disability compensation and the GI Bill, also apply in Washington; see the full directory or use the Benefit Finder.
Burial
Washington State Veterans Cemetery
State veterans cemetery in Medical Lake with casket and cremation space, military honors coordination and pre-need eligibility registration.
Who it may help: Service members who met a minimum active duty requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable; spouses, minor children and some adult children with disabilities. No direct charge for the veteran's interment; a family member charge applies. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Education
Veteran, National Guard and Dependents' Tuition Waivers
State colleges may waive part or all of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and National Guard members; dependents of those 100% disabled or who died of service can get an undergraduate waiver.
Who it may help: Eligibility follows RCW 28B.15.621 and each school runs its own waiver, so contact your school. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Washington National Guard Postsecondary Education Grant
A Washington Student Achievement Council grant that helps National Guard members and eligible dependents cover part of college costs not paid by other aid at approved Washington schools.
Who it may help: Washington National Guard members and their eligible dependents in approved programs. Recipients commit to service for each year of funding. The cited flyer does not state deadlines or whether funds are available now; contact WSAC. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Tuition Waiver for Other Military Veterans (Community and Technical Colleges)
A discretionary waiver in the community and technical college system for veterans who do not meet the main veteran waiver, because they did not serve on foreign soil or in international waters or in direct support of that service. Colleges decide whether to waive all or part of tuition and fees.
Who it may help: Washington domiciliary military or naval veteran without foreign-soil or international-waters service. National Guard members are not covered by this category. Because the waiver is discretionary, confirm with your college. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
GI Bill Apprenticeship and On-the-Job Training Approval
The Washington Student Achievement Council approves apprenticeship and on-the-job training programs for GI Bill use, so eligible veterans may use VA education benefits while training.
Who it may help: Veterans eligible under a GI Bill program the page lists who are no longer on active duty and recently hired or promoted; some Guard and Reserve members and Chapter 35 spouses and children in qualified training may also be eligible. Applications go through the VA. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Employment
Veterans In-State Service Shared Leave Program
Washington state general government and higher education employees who are veterans (or their spouses) can receive donated leave for service-connected medical care and VA exams.
Who it may help: Must be a state employee veteran (or spouse assisting) with fewer than 40 hours of accrued vacation and sick leave. Contact WDVA at VISSLP@dva.wa.gov. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Veteran Owned Business Certification
Free WDVA certification for veteran and servicemember owned businesses, with public listing, state purchasing outreach and access to a linked deposit loan program.
Who it may help: Qualifying discharge status, at least 51 percent veteran ownership, and a Washington-based business registered in WEBS. Submit documents to WDVA. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Veteran Conservation Corps
A branch of the Washington Conservation Corps for recently returned veterans, combining AmeriCorps service in environmental restoration and disaster response with paid training, a living allowance and an AmeriCorps education award after completion.
Who it may help: The page says the program serves recently returned veterans and lists no other specific criteria; veterans are encouraged to apply for positions of interest. Additional requirements may apply; confirm with the Washington Department of Ecology. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Veterans' Preference in Washington State Hiring
Qualifying veterans, and some spouses and surviving spouses, may get preference points on competitive state civil service exams or be referred to hiring managers in non-competitive hiring.
Who it may help: Veterans with a qualifying discharge as defined in state law; surviving spouses or registered domestic partners; and spouses or partners of qualifying veterans with a service-connected permanent and total disability. The size of the preference depends on wartime service and retirement status. Applicants must answer the military service questions in their applications. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Health Professions Credentialing for Military Members and Spouses
The Department of Health may count military education, training and experience toward health profession credential requirements, and may process spouse and partner credentials more quickly.
Who it may help: Active, Reserve and Guard members, veterans, and their spouses or registered domestic partners, including spouses moving to or stationed in Washington. Whether training counts depends on the profession; use the department's military contact points. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Professional and Business License Help for Military Members and Spouses
The Department of Licensing offers help getting expedited professional licenses, lets military experience count toward some requirements, and allows a license to be placed on military inactive status during deployment with no renewal fee.
Who it may help: Active or reserve members of the armed forces, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, National Guard and Merchant Marines, and military spouses or registered domestic partners. Contact the program that licenses your profession to apply. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Military Commercial Driver License Waiver
Eligible service members and veterans with military commercial driving experience may qualify for a Washington CDL through a waiver that can skip some training and testing requirements.
Who it may help: Washington resident with at least two years of commercial vehicle driving experience in a military job who meets the federal skills test waiver requirements, and is on active duty or honorably discharged within the past 12 months. Application, DD214 or equivalent, a DOT medical exam, and fees apply. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Unemployment Benefits After Military Discharge
Recently separated service members may qualify for Washington unemployment benefits, and veterans get priority access to WorkSource job services.
Who it may help: Discharged from active duty within the past 18 months, in Washington when applying, with a qualifying discharge type and DD-214, fully separated, and able, available and looking for work. Guard and Reserve members have additional active duty requirements. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Veterans and Military Families Employment Services (WorkSource)
WorkSource staff, including disabled veteran outreach specialists and local veteran employment representatives, provide employment help, and veterans and eligible spouses get priority of service for Department of Labor-funded training.
Who it may help: Veterans and eligible spouses for priority of service; one-on-one specialist services depend on a screening for employment barriers. Contact a WorkSource office. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Expedited Educator Certification for Military-Affiliated Applicants
OSPI gives military-affiliated applicants expedited review for teacher and other educator certificates once minimum requirements are verified, with a route for out-of-state certificate holders.
Who it may help: Military-affiliated personnel and spouses; the out-of-state route needs a valid, equivalent full out-of-state certificate and fingerprints unless a Washington certificate is on record. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Family
Gold Star License Plate
Family members of service members who died in service or from service-related causes may get a Gold Star plate, with some fee exemptions depending on relationship.
Who it may help: Widow or widower, parent or stepparent, adult in a parental role, child or sibling, certified by WDVA with a DD1300 or VA letter showing the death was service connected. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Financial
Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Widow(er)s
Qualifying homeowners may get a property tax exemption, and widow(er)s of veterans rated 100% disabled may qualify for grant assistance.
Who it may help: Owner-occupied residence, age 61 or older, disabled, or a veteran with 80% service-connected disability, and income within the state threshold. Apply through the county assessor; the widow(er) grant is handled by the Department of Revenue. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Veterans Estate Management Program
WDVA protective payee service that manages finances for veterans and family members unable to manage their own affairs.
Who it may help: Veterans and family members found incapable of managing their finances; eligibility is determined by the WDVA director. Contact 1-800-562-2308. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Veterans Innovations Program (VIP)
A Washington Department of Veterans Affairs program that helps post-9/11 veterans in financial hardship. The page reports past help with employment, housing stability, utility shutoffs, education and transportation.
Who it may help: Washington resident who served on or after September 11, 2001, under honorable conditions or otherwise already eligible for federal VA monetary benefits (or separated with a less-than-honorable characterization solely due to sexual orientation or gender identity or expression). Income must be insufficient for basic needs, the request must fit within grant funding, and a complete application packet is required. The page does not say whether funds are currently available; confirm with WDVA. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Sales Tax Refund for VA Adapted Housing Grants
Disabled veterans who got a VA adaptive housing grant can apply to the Department of Revenue for a refund of state sales tax paid on construction of an adapted home. The page describes a per-project refund cap and an annual statewide cap.
Who it may help: Disabled veteran who received a VA adaptive housing grant and paid sales tax on qualifying labor or materials. Application to the Department of Revenue requires the VA grant award letter, contracts and invoices. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Healthcare
Washington State Veterans Homes
Four state veterans homes (Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane and Walla Walla) provide 24-hour nursing care and accept Medicare, Medicaid, insurance and private pay.
Who it may help: Served in the U.S. armed forces including National Guard, honorably discharged or eligible for VA monetary benefits, and a Washington resident. Spouses, widows and Gold Star parents may also apply. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
WDVA Counseling Program
State-funded confidential counseling for Washington veterans and family members, with related wellness programs listed.
Who it may help: Washington veterans and family members; detailed criteria and cost are not on the page, so contact DVACounselingProgram@dva.wa.gov or 1-800-562-2308. Crisis line is 988 then press 1. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program
WDVA-run, community-based suicide prevention for eligible veterans, service members and families. Listed services include peer support, lethal means safety storage such as lockboxes, referrals, food and transportation help, and claims filing help.
Who it may help: The page says services are for eligible veterans, service members and their families but lists no specific criteria. It lists fifteen counties served (Skagit, Island, Snohomish, Kitsap, King, Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane); confirm your county with the program. Apply through the online intake portal or contact the program. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
WDVA Brain Injury and Recovery (TBI) Program
Offers Washington veterans with a brain injury one-on-one guidance, connections to resources, monthly peer groups and a TBI toolkit.
Who it may help: Washington veterans living with a brain injury, whether or not diagnosed. The page does not list further requirements; contact the program. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Veterans Benefit Enhancement Program (VBEP)
A WDVA and Health Care Authority collaboration in which a WDVA specialist reviews Medicaid enrollees and helps eligible veterans and families apply for federal VA benefits.
Who it may help: The page describes it for veterans and their families already enrolled in Medicaid who are approved through the Health Care Authority referral process. Other criteria are not listed; contact WDVA. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Housing
Veterans Transitional Housing Program
Temporary supervised housing with case management and job support at Port Orchard and Orting.
Who it may help: Honorable or general discharge (others considered case by case), homeless for at least one night, clean and sober commitment, background check, and a referral from the VA Medical Center Homeless Liaison Officer. A sliding program fee applies. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Legal
WDVA Claims Assistance
Free help from accredited WDVA service officers filing VA disability, pension, health care and other benefit claims.
Who it may help: Veterans seeking VA disability benefits must have been released under honorable conditions; dependents and survivors can also get help. Call 1-800-562-2308 or schedule online. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Incarcerated Veteran Re-Entry Services (IVRS)
A joint effort of the state Department of Corrections, WDVA, the federal VA and partner groups that helps eligible veterans who are in custody or recently released. Help includes advocacy toward alternative sentencing, VA benefit applications and reinstatement, and referrals for housing, counseling, and employment after release.
Who it may help: Veteran in custody or recently released from a local, county, state or federal facility, with a qualifying discharge and the active duty service length the page describes. Some Other Than Honorable discharges may qualify in certain cases. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Other
Veteran Designation on Washington Driver License
Veterans can add a veteran designation to their Washington driver license or ID; the designation alone is free.
Who it may help: Provide a DD Form 214 showing honorable, general, or other-than-honorable with VA monetary eligibility (or any status if solely related to sexual orientation or gender identity), a VA ID card, or a retired military ID or WDVA letter. Apply online or in person. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Veterans Training Support Center
WDVA offers workshops and trainings on topics like post-traumatic stress, brain injury and suicide prevention, delivered in person and online.
Who it may help: Open to service providers, community partners, transitioning service members, veterans, family members and caregivers. Most events register through EventSquid; the page lists no workshop fees, and an attendance policy applies. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Recreation
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass
A free lifetime pass for Washington State Parks with free day-use parking, boat launch, trailer dump and camping or moorage, and Discover Pass privileges on WDFW and DNR lands.
Who it may help: Washington resident veteran with at least 30% rating; submit proof of residency and a VA award letter. Some fees and facilities are excluded. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Washington Reduced-Fee License for Disabled Veterans
Eligible veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability can apply to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for a reduced-fee license. The page does not list which licenses are covered.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged veterans, whether Washington residents or non-residents, apply by mail with the WDFW application and a one-page VA disability rating letter. Disability awards from other agencies may not qualify, and the reduced fee does not give access to assistance cards, programs, or facilities. Confirm which licenses are covered with WDFW. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Transportation
Free Disabled Veteran License Plate
Washington offers a Disabled Veteran license plate to veterans who lost the use of both hands or one foot, are blind in both eyes from military service, or are rated 100 percent service-connected for more than one year. Veterans rated 70 percent or higher who use a service animal may qualify for a disabled veteran parking permit.
Who it may help: Plate: lost use of both hands or one foot; blind in both eyes due to military service; or 100 percent service-connected compensation rate expected to last more than one year. Parking permit: qualifying discharge, 70 percent or higher disability rating, and use of a service animal. Apply through the Dept of Licensing (mark Disabled American Veteran on the military plate application) with a copy of the federal VA rating letter. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Purple Heart Specialty License Plate
Purple Heart recipients can get a Purple Heart specialty plate; the page says the first set for one vehicle is exempt from licensing fees.
Who it may help: Washington vehicle owner with a DD214 showing the Purple Heart was issued, or surviving spouse or domestic partner of a deceased recipient (with death certificate and a no-remarriage affidavit). Not available for trailers. Apply by mail with the military services plate application. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Armed Forces License Plates
Branch-themed Washington plates with a military-status decal. The page says part of each purchase or renewal supports the Veterans Stewardship Account for veterans programs.
Who it may help: Anyone who has served in the US military, current active duty, current or former Guard or Reserve members, and their family members, per the page. Apply at a vehicle licensing office; plate fees apply. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
Vehicle Registration for Service Members Stationed Out of State
Washington residents on military duty elsewhere can keep Washington registration, renew by mail, and may get expired tabs extended if within their orders. The page also mentions a possible sales or use tax exemption for vehicles bought out of state.
Who it may help: Washington residents temporarily stationed out of state on active duty (including NOAA and Public Health Service officers) and spouses who are registered co-owners. Documents include orders showing at least 90 days outside Washington and an LES listing Washington as home of record. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-25
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