Washington state benefits
Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities (40%+)
40%+- Veteran receiving VA compensation at a combined rating of 40% or more, or a total disability rating (such as IU) at any percentage
- Your combined disposable income must be under your county's threshold. VA disability compensation and DIC don't count as income; military retired pay does
- You own and live in the home as your principal residence
- Lower income means a bigger exemption; at every level, the taxable value of your home is frozen
Free Disabled American Veteran Plates (One Vehicle)
100%+- Veteran paid VA service-connected compensation at the 100% rate, expected to last more than one year
- Or lost the use of both hands or one foot, became blind in both eyes from service, or is a former POW with the POW medal
- No vehicle license fees, plate fees or excise tax on one personal-use vehicle. You can get the same exemption on regular or other qualifying special plates instead
- No renewal needed if you take the next plate number in the series (a special background must renew yearly)
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass: Free Camping (30%+)
30%+- Washington resident veteran with a combined service-connected rating of 30% or more
- Free day-use parking (no Discover Pass), boat launch, trailer dump, and free camping or moorage at state parks
- Free day-use parking on WDFW and DNR lands too. Since Oct. 1, 2025, camping reservations and changes cost $8 online or $10 by phone
Reduced-Fee Hunting & Fishing Licenses (30%+)
30%+- Veteran with a qualifying discharge (honorable, general under honorable conditions and certain others defined in RCW 73.04.005) and a VA service-connected rating of 30% or more. Residents get the reduced rate; non-residents pay the regular resident price
- Or age 65+ with any service-connected rating
- Reduced fees on combination fishing and hunting licenses (see the WDFW disability fee schedule)
- A rating from Social Security or another agency doesn't count
Tuition Waivers for Your Family (100%)
100%+- The child (Washington resident, age 17 to 26), spouse or surviving spouse of a Washington veteran rated 100% disabled by VA from active federal service (or POW/MIA), who served in a war or conflict on foreign soil or in international waters, or in support of it, and has a qualifying discharge
- State colleges and universities must waive all tuition and fees, up to 250 quarter credits (or the semester equivalent), full- or part-time
- A $500-a-year textbook stipend if the Legislature funds it
- You, the veteran, may also get a full or partial waiver: each college runs its own veteran waiver program
Sales Tax Refund on Adapted Housing
Other rules- Veteran who received a VA adapted housing grant
- Refund of up to $2,500 of state sales tax paid on labor and materials for the project
- The statewide limit for all refunds is $125,000 per fiscal year (July to June)
Regional Reduced Fare Permit (40%+)
40%+- Veteran with a VA rating of 40% or more
- Reduced fares on participating transit, including Washington State Ferries, Sound Transit, Metro Transit and other regional systems; each agency sets its own fares
No State Income Tax on Retired Pay
All veterans- Washington does not currently have an individual income tax, so military retired pay and wages aren't taxed by the state
- A new 9.9% tax on income over $1 million (ESSB 6346) is set to start Jan. 1, 2028. Initiative IP26-645, on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, would repeal it
Federal benefits to look into
CHAMPVA: health coverage for your spouse and kids
P&TIt's for family members, not the veteran: the spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated P&T from a service-connected disability. It's a cost-sharing program: VA shares the cost of covered care with the family. Not free. Family members eligible for TRICARE can't get CHAMPVA.
DEA (Chapter 35): school money for your spouse and kids
P&TChapter 35 / DEA education benefits are available to the spouse and children of a veteran who is P&T due to a service-connected disability. For school or training that started on or after Aug 1, 2018, DEA pays up to 36 months of benefits.
Social Security: faster disability decisions
100% + P&TSSA expedites disability claims from veterans rated 100% P&T. Say "veteran rated 100% P&T" (or enter "Veteran 100% P&T" in the online Remarks). It doesn't guarantee approval; SSA's own rules still apply.
Dental insurance for CHAMPVA families (VADIP)
P&TCHAMPVA covers dental only in limited medical cases; enrollees can buy dental insurance at reduced cost through VADIP.
Your Benefit Summary Letter (proof of your rating)
All veteransYou can download your Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called an award letter) on VA.gov.
VA dental care (Class IV)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)Per VA, you qualify for any needed dental care if you have a service-connected disability rated 100% disabling, or you're paid at the 100% rate because of TDIU. A temporary 100% rating does not qualify.
DoD ID card and base privileges (100%)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)A 100% disabled veteran (DAV) and eligible family members can get a DoD Uniformed Services ID card. It gives commissary, exchange and MWR privileges and base access. It is not TRICARE.
Base retail access for all service-connected veterans
Any ratingAll service-connected veterans can use commissaries, exchanges and MWR retail facilities, in person and online, per VA's matrix.
Federal student loan discharge (TPD)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)Veterans whom VA has determined have a service-connected disability rated 100% or are rated totally disabled based on individual unemployability (TDIU) can have eligible federal student loans discharged.
No VA home loan funding fee
10%+Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt from the VA home loan funding fee, at any compensable rating, not just 100%.
America the Beautiful Access Pass
Other rulesA free, lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability. It doesn't have to be 100% or service-connected.
Military Lifetime Pass (federal lands)
All veteransVeterans (and Gold Star families) can get a free lifetime pass to federal recreation lands. No disability is needed.