How can WDVA Help me?

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is a full-service state agency that assists veterans, their family members and survivors. The department is an advocate for veterans and their families, and aggressively pursues all federal and state benefits and entitlements on their behalf.

The department’s Veterans Service Offices and the statewide referral service are staffed with qualified benefits specialists to assist veterans and family members in accessing benefits to which they may be entitled. Using a case management approach, our staff attend to the needs of the individual and their families by providing counseling and referral services in a holistic fashion. This includes representing veterans in cases adjudicated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Seattle. Outreach services are available for areas which are not near a Veterans Service Office.

What veteran benefits or programs does Washington State provide?

State Veterans Benefits     Brochure

Honorably discharged veterans who have served in any branch of the armed forces may be eligible for the following state benefits:

OIF, OEF, or ONE Returnees Assistance

Mental Health Services

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a one-of-a-kind, state-funded outreach/counseling program designed to provide confidential counseling services to Washington state veterans and family members with war-era and PTSD-related problems.

For Information on Tramatic Brain Injury click here

State Veterans Homes

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs manages three facilities throughout the state, where veterans are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, in distinctive settings that all provide a sense of belonging unique to veterans.

• WA Soldiers Home - Orting, WA
• WA Veterans Home - Retsil, WA
• Spokane Veterans Home - Spokane, WA

Veterans Estate Management Program

The Veterans Estate Management Program offers protective payee services for veterans and family members who are incapable of managing their own financial affairs. By assuming custody of the individual’s finances, the department ensures basic needs – such as housing, food, clothing and medical care – are provided.

County Veterans Assistance/Burial

County aid for indigent families of deceased veterans who have resided in Washington state for at least one year may be available.  Contact your County officials for eligibility information.

Military Funeral Honors

Homeless Veteran Programs

• Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project
• King County Dept of Community & Human Services (Brochure)
• Veterans Independent Enterprises of Washington (VIEW)
  253-922-5802

Educational Benefits

• Veterans should contact their higher education institution for additional information. 
  Title 28B -- Higher Education
  RCW 28B.10.016 Definitions.
  RCW 28B.10.017 "Eligible student" defined.
  RCW 28B.15.380 Exemption from payment of fees at state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College --   Veterans and children of certain law enforcement officers or fire fighters.
  RCW 28B.15.600 Refunds or cancellation of fees -- Four-year institutions of higher education.
  RCW 28B.15.621 Tuition waivers -- Veterans and national guard members -- Dependents -- Private institutions.
  RCW 28B.15.625 Persian Gulf veterans -- Private higher education institutions -- Tuition refund encouraged.
  RCW 28B.15.910 Limitation on total operating fees revenue vaived, exempted, or reduced -- Outreach to veterans
  RCW 28B.115.110 Participant obligation -- Repayment obligation  
• Federal Education Benefits

Employment Preference

• RCW 73.16.010 - Preference in public employment.
• RCW 41.04.010 Veterans' scoring criteria status in examinations
• Reemployment and Layoff Rights
• Employment Assistance
• Military Retirement Credit
  • Dept. of Retirement Systems - Member Information

Motor Vehicle Licenses

• Free Disabled Veteran Plate (for Veterans with 100% service connected disability)
• Special Military Plates
• Armed Forces Plates
• Remembrance emblems

Reduced Fishing/Hunting License

• State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (for Veterans with at least 30% Service Connected Disability)

State and Federal Park Passes

Washington State Parks agency staff members are available to assist with questions regarding State Parks special-use passes.
State Parks   (for Veterans with at least 30% Service Connected Disability) Federal Parks

Reduced Public Transportation Fees

• Ferry Fares (reduced fares may be available to any disabled individuals)

Documents and Public Records

• Public disclosure of discharge papers

 Property Tax

• Property tax exemption for 100% Disabled Veterans (Income restrictions apply) http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/Pubs/Prop_Tax/SeniorExempt.pdf
• Property tax grant program for widows or widowers of certain 100% Disabled Veterans (Income restrictions apply)  FS0051WidowWidowersGrantProgram1-06 (pdf)
• 2008 Legislation Affecting Your Eligibility for Property Tax Relief