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Washington State is home to 494,383 veterans as of late 2025 and almost 33% of them are living with service-connected disabilities according to the VA. The state provides a robust network of support, ranging from property tax relief and education assistance to specialized outdoor recreation passes and employment preferences. 

Disabled veterans can benefit from substantial financial relief thanks to Washington State’s tax exemptions for homes and vehicles, as well as discounted passenger fares for state ferries, reduced rates for train and bus permits, and other discounts. 

This guide helps disabled veterans and their families learn about Washington State’s programs, resources and legal assistance available to them. It explains requirements for the benefits provided by the state and how to access them. 

Property Tax Exemptions 

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Property Taxes in Washington State?

Do disabled veterans pay property taxes in Washington? Many do not, or they pay a significantly reduced rate. Washington provides a property tax exemption for veterans with high disability ratings, provided they meet certain income and residency requirements. Find out more. 

The Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

The exemption level depends on the income tier. For the 2024–2026 tax years, many counties use a three-tier system based on local median income: 

  • Level 1: Veterans in the lowest income bracket are exempt from all excess levies, Part 2 of the state school levy, and regular levies on a portion of their home’s value. 
  • Level 2: Veterans in the middle income bracket are exempt from excess levies, the state school levy, and a smaller portion of regular levies. 
  • Level 3: Veterans in the highest qualifying bracket are generally exempt from excess levies and Part 2 of the state school levy. 

To qualify for a reduction in property taxes for the 2026 tax year, veterans must meet specific criteria regarding their disability, income, and home ownership: 

  1. Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 80%, receive compensation from the VA at the 100% rate for a service-connected disability, or be retired due to disability 
  2. Own and occupy the property as your primary residence for more than six months of the year. 
  3. Combined disposable household income for the 2025 qualifying year not exceeding the threshold set for the county (VA disability compensation and DIC payments are not counted as income when calculating your eligibility).
What If Your Rating Isn’t 100%? 

A practical strategy is to pursue a disability rating increase immediately if you believe your current condition warrants it, as this rating is the key to unlocking the tax relief. If the VA has denied your claim for a rating that would qualify you for this relief, a Washington State VA disability lawyer can handle the appeals process on your behalf to secure the benefits you deserve. 

Property Tax Deferral 

If you do not qualify for a tax exemption, you may still be eligible for a property tax deferral, which allows you to postpone payment of your taxes. Unlike the exemption, a deferral is a loan from the state to pay your taxes, which must eventually be repaid (typically when the home is sold or the owner passes away and the title is transferred). 

The property tax referral for senior citizens and people with disabilities is available to Washington State residents who are at least 60 years old or retired due to a disability, and who have an income equal to or below the county’s Deferral Threshold. You must have enough equity in the home to secure the state’s interest, and the deferred amount accrues 5% simple interest.

See all the property tax relief programs for veterans → 

Assistance for Widows and Widowers of Disabled Veterans

The Property Tax Assistance Program for Surviving Spouses provides a grant (which does not have to be repaid) to help pay property taxes. The veteran must have died from a service-connected disability, been 100% disabled for 10 years prior to death, or been a former POW.

The surviving spouse must be at least 62 years old or unable to work due to a disability, not remarried, and with an income meeting the county-specific income threshold (Threshold 3). 

Find out more from the Washington State Department of Revenue → 

Transportation Benefits

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Vehicle Registration in Washington State? 

Veterans with a 100% service-connected permanent disability rating are eligible for an exemption from many standard licensing fees and excise taxes. The exemption typically applies to one personal-use vehicle, such as a passenger car, motorcycle, motor home, or a truck with a gross weight of less than 12,000 pounds. Qualifying veterans may also be exempt from the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) excise tax. 

Free Disabled Veteran License Plates 

Veterans who are rated 100% disabled, have lost the use of both hands or one foot or have become blind in both eyes as the result of military service are eligible for Disabled Veteran license plates. These plates are issued free of charge for the first vehicle and are valid for the lifetime of the veteran. 

The Disabled Veteran license plates exempt the owner from paying annual renewal fees and standard license fees for that specific vehicle. Unlike standard plates, these do not require annual tab renewals unless the veteran chooses a special background design, which may have an additional cost. Find out more. 

Disabled Veteran Parking Permit 

The Disabled Veteran Parking Permit can be issued to veterans who use a service animal and who were granted a disability rating of 70% or higher. Learn more about disabled parking permits. 

Disabled Veterans Discounts for Public Transportation 

Trains and Bus Discounted Rates 

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 40% or higher are eligible for the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP). This permit is an ORCA-compatible card that allows veterans to pay reduced fares on most Puget Sound area transit systems, including Sound Transit (Link light rail, Sounder trains and ST Express buses) and King County Metro. Veterans must apply in person or online with a VA letter verifying their 40% or higher disability rating. See the RRFP brochure. 

50% Discount on Washington State Ferries 

Riders with disabilities qualify for a 50% discount on passenger fares (not including the vehicle or oversized cargo) across all routes. To receive this discount, veterans must present a valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) or a Department of Licensing “Individual with Disabilities Parking Privilege” ID card. If a veteran requires an attendant for travel, an endorsement on the RRFP allows the attendant to travel for free as a passenger. 

Education Benefits

College Benefits for Veterans 

Public colleges and universities in Washington are authorized to waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for eligible veterans. The waiver can cover up to 50% of the in-state tuition rate for undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree, up to a maximum of 225 college-level credits. 

Graduate and professional students may also be eligible for waivers at certain institutions, though these are often awarded on a case-by-case basis.  

You are generally eligible if you were an active or reserve member of the U.S. military or National Guard and served in a war or conflict on foreign soil or in international waters. To apply, you must typically provide a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge and proof of Washington residency. 

Tuition Waivers for the Spouses and Children of 100% Disabled Veterans 

Washington provides a full waiver of undergraduate tuition and fees for the children and spouses of certain veterans. This benefit is available to the dependents of veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled, were killed in action, or are classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action. 
 
Children must be between the ages of 17 and 26 to use this waiver. Surviving spouses have 10 years from the date of the veteran’s death or the 100% disability rating decision to use the benefit, provided they have not remarried. 
 
Eligible dependents can receive a waiver for up to 200 quarter credits or the equivalent semester credits. Recipients may also be eligible for a $500 annual stipend for textbooks if state funds are available. Find out more. 

Employment Benefits 

Apprenticeships for Veterans

You can use your GI Bill benefits while working as an apprentice in fields like plumbing, electrical work, or law enforcement. This allows you to receive a monthly housing allowance from the VA in addition to your wages from your employer. See apprenticeship opportunities.

Veteran Hiring Preference 

When you apply for a job with a Washington state agency or local government, you may be eligible for preference points added to your passing examination score. Veterans with a service-connected disability from the VA receive a 10-point preference. 

This is applied to your first appointment and cannot be used for promotional exams. You may also qualify for special services that help veterans and their spouses find jobs in the state of Washington.

Veteran-Owned Business Preference 

Washington has a goal of awarding at least 5% of state procurement and construction contracts to certified veteran-owned businesses. To qualify, your business must be 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs provides a certification that makes your business easier for state agencies and prime contractors to find. Find out more. 

Recreation Benefits

The Washington State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass 

Washington state provides a specialized Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass to resident veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher. The pass grants its holder free day-use parking at all Washington state parks, free boat mooring, boat launch and trailer dump, and free nightly camping.

However, veterans must pay standard reservation and change fees for camping (currently $8 for online bookings and $10 for phone bookings).

To qualify, a veteran must have resided in Washington state for at least three consecutive months and provide a VA benefit verification letter on official letterhead, addressed to the veteran’s Washington state address and showing a combined disability rating of 30% or greater.

Applications can be submitted via email to passes@parks.wa.gov or by mail to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in Olympia. Get the application forms for the disabled veteran lifetime pass. 

Washington State Fishing and Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) offers discounts to Washington residents who are honorably discharged veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability, or veterans aged 65 or older with any percentage of service-connected disability. 

  • 100% Disabled Veterans: Residents with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating are eligible for a permanent sport combination hunting and fishing license for a one-time fee of $10. 
  • 30% or Higher Disability: Veterans who are 30% or more disabled “by reason of war service” can also obtain this permanent $10 combination license. 
  • Mobility Impaired Options: For veterans permanently restricted to a wheelchair or those who have suffered a significant lower limb amputation, the permanent $10 combination license is available to provide easier access to the field.
  • Assistant Allowances: Washington State law allows certain disabled hunters to designate one person to assist them while hunting or fishing. This assistant is not required to have their own license as long as they are truly assisting and not hunting on their own behalf. 

Health Care Benefits 

The primary healthcare hubs for veterans in Washington include the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, which serves the Seattle and American Lake areas, and the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane.

These facilities offer a full range of services, including emergency care, surgery, mental health treatment, and specialized clinics for women’s health and traumatic brain injury. Veterans can also use the following clinics: 

  • Bellingham VA Clinic – 3800 Byron Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229 
  • Bremerton VA Clinic – 925 Adele Ave, Bremerton, WA 98312 
  • Everett VA Clinic – 220 Olympic Blvd, Everett, WA 98203 
  • Mount Vernon VA Clinic – 307 S 13th St, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 
  • North Olympic Peninsula VA Clinic – 1114 Georgiana St, Port Angeles, WA 98362 
  • Olympia VA Clinic – 500 Lilly Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506 
  • Puyallup VA Clinic – 11216 Sunrise Blvd E, Puyallup, WA 98374 
  • Richland VA Clinic – 825 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99352 
  • Silverdale VA Clinic – 9177 Ridgetop Blvd NW, Silverdale, WA 98383 
  • Yakima VA Clinic – 710 N 16th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902

In addition to federal VA medical centers and clinics, Washington operates four state veterans homes for aging or disabled veterans who require long-term nursing care. These facilities provide specialized attention, including skilled nursing and 24-hour medical care. 

  • Washington Soldiers Home – 1301 Orting Kapowsin Hwy, Orting, WA 98360 | Phone (360) 893-4515 
  • Washington Veterans Home – 1141 Beach Dr. E., Port Orchard, WA 98366 | Phone (360) 895-4700 
  • Spokane Veterans Home – 222 E. 5th Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 | Phone (509) 344-5770 
  • Walla Walla Veterans Home – 92 Wainwright Dr, Walla Walla, WA 99362 | Phone (509) 394-6800 

Admission to these homes is based on medical necessity and requires that the veteran be a resident of Washington State who served honorably in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Spouses of current residents, widows or widowers of eligible veterans, and Gold Star Parents are also eligible for admission.

You can apply by contacting the admissions coordinator at 1-877-838-7787 or through the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Find out more. 

Burial and Survivor Benefits

The state operates the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at 21702 W. Espanola Rd, Medical Lake, which serves families in the eastern part of the state and offers various burial options, including in-ground casket burial and spaces for cremated remains. 

To apply, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 and a marriage certificate if your spouse is to be buried with you. Learn more. 

Surviving spouses and dependents may also be eligible for interment in a veterans cemetery, as well as continued property tax exemptions, educational benefits, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA. Find out more about getting survivor benefits. 

Federal Benefits Available to Washington State Veterans 

In addition to Washington State’s specific benefits, disabled veterans also get a wide range of federal VA disability benefits, including: 

  • Monthly tax-free compensation payments based on disability rating (calculate it here) 
  • Medical care, including mental health services and counseling  
  • Home loans and housing benefits  
  • Vocational rehabilitation and employment services  
  • Education benefits through the GI Bill  
  • Survivor benefits  
  • Federal hiring preference  

Eligibility for some of these benefits depends on the disability rating percentage. Find out more here and use the links below to see what federal benefits veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

Veterans with a 100% disability rating receive the highest level of federal VA benefits, including: 

  • Full monthly VA compensation
  • Full VA healthcare coverage
  • Dental care
  • Adaptive equipment grants

See all federal benefits for a 100% disabled Washington State veteran → 

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

Spouses and family members of 100% disabled veterans may also be able to get several benefits:

  • CHAMPVA healthcare  
  • DIC eligibility  
  • Education benefits  
  • Continued property tax exemption  
  • Access to Washington state resources  

Benefits for Toxic Exposure

Veterans who served at military installations in Washington State may have been exposed to toxins like PFAS or industrial solvents. These exposures can make veterans eligible for disability benefits. Bases in Washington State with known toxic exposure concerns include: 

Find more bases with toxic exposure or get in touch with us for a free evaluation of your case. Hill & Ponton has decades of experience in helping veterans get compensation for conditions caused by exposure to dangerous substances, from Agent Orange to burn pits, jet fuel, and more.    

Getting VA Disability in Washington State 

Getting through the VA disability claims process can be tricky, but there are local and national resources to help guide you. These resources include local veteran groups, state-supported VA services, and experienced disability attorneys. 

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Washington State – Free Guide

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to get VA disability compensation and benefits. And it’s yours free of charge. We also offer a free ebook for easy, immediate access.  

Washington State Assistance and Resources 

For veterans who need to appeal a VA decision or are seeking to increase their disability rating, dedicated legal resources can ensure they receive the full compensation they deserve. 

Help from Experienced Lawyers 

Our VA-accredited lawyers proudly represent Washington State veterans who were denied or underrated by the VA, with no upfront costs. Contact us for a free evaluation – even if we don’t take your case, we’ll point you in the right direction!