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State / Territory Benefits -  Washington

State Taxes
Education Benefits
Employment Benefits
Special Vehicle License Plates
Health and Insurance Benefits
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Miscellaneous Benefits
Military Installations: Active Duty
Military Installations: National Guard
VA Medical Facilities
Resources

Summary: Washington offers special benefits for its military service members and veterans including property tax exemptions, state employment preferences, education and tuition assistance, vehicle tags, as well as hunting and fishing license privileges. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component and veteran disability status.

State Benefit Highlights and Eligibility

State Taxes:

State Tax Advantage: None

Property Tax Exemption:

Disposable income is used to determine eligibility for certain property tax relief programs. Veterans’ disability, dependency and indemnity compensation benefits and NOT included in the calculation of disposable income. (Military retirement pay still has to be included in disposable income.)

The Property Tax Exemption Program freezes the value of your residence, exempts all excess levies, and may exempt a portion of regular levies. This results in: 1) freezing the value of your residence as of January 1, 1995, or January 1 of the initial application year, whichever is later; 2) providing you with a reduction in your property taxes. The assessor will continue to establish the market value of the property; however, you will only be billed for the taxes on the frozen value.

Eligibility: To qualify for the Exemption Program, you must be at least 61 years of age OR disabled OR a disabled veteran with a 100 percent service-connected disability. (If a veteran is disabled and unable to work, or at least age 61, the veteran may still qualify even if he/she is not 100% service connected disabled.) You must also own and occupy your residence and your combined disposable income must be $35,000 or less.  (A property tax deferral program is available for individuals with incomes of up to $40,000.) Updated forms and publications are available at your county assessor’s office or on the Department of Revenue website at: http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/Pubs/Prop_Tax/SeniorExempt.pdf ; http://dor.wa.gov/Docs/Pubs/Prop_Tax/SeniorDefs.pdf

Property Tax Assistance Program: The purpose of this program is to allow widow and widowers of qualifying veterans to remain in their homes in spite of rising property taxes. The program will provide funds for the payment of all or a portion of the excess levies and regular property taxes due on the property.
Eligibility: Eligibility is determined by household income, age or disability, and the spouse's veteran status at the time of death. http://dor.wa.gov/docs/pubs/prop_tax/widowwidowersgrantprog.pdf

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Education Benefits:

Loan Forgiveness Program: The state of Washington will forgive education loans for recipients who complete contracted terms of service in the Washington National Guard. Priority for scholarships directed to NG students who attend institutions in WA that are accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.
Eligibility: Honorable Discharge from Washington National Guard.

Washington StateEducation Benefits for Veterans: The State Legislature has authorized state community colleges, colleges and universities to waive ‘all or a portion of tuition and fees’ for eligible veterans or National Guard members. Each college or university establishes and operates their own veterans waiver program so it is best to get in touch with the college or university you plan to attend for details on their program. A list of colleges and universities is available at: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/links/colleges/collegesindex.asp

Eligibility: An eligible veteran or national guard member is defined as: “…a Washington domiciliary who was an active or reserve member of the United States military or naval forces, or a national guard member called to active duty, who served in active federal service, under either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code, in a war or conflict fought on foreign soil or in international waters or in another location in support of those serving on foreign soil or in international waters, and if discharged from service, has received an honorable discharge.” To read the tuition waiver law visit: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.15.621

Education Benefits for Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans or those who died as a result of military service: The State Legislature requires state universities and state community colleges to waive all undergraduate tuition and fees for Dependents of 100% Disabled Veterans or those who died as a result of military service up to 200 quarter credits or equivalent semester credits. Waivers for graduate credits are encouraged but not required. Fees include all assessments for costs incurred as a condition to a student's full participation in coursework and related activities at an institution of higher education. It is best to contact colleges directly for more information about full or partial tuition waivers. A list of colleges and universities is available at: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/links/colleges/collegesindex.asp

Eligibility:

 o A child must be a Washington domiciliary between the age of seventeen and twenty-six to be eligible for the tuition waiver. A child's marital status does not affect eligibility.

 o A surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner must be a Washington domiciliary. A surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner has ten years from the date of the death, total disability, or federal determination of prisoner of war or missing in action status of the eligible veteran or National Guard member to receive benefits under the waiver. Upon remarriage or registration in a subsequent domestic partnership, the surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner is ineligible for the waiver of all tuition and fees. If a death results from total disability, the surviving spouse has ten years from the date of death in which to receive benefits under the waiver. NOTE: "Washington domiciliary" means a person whose true, fixed, and permanent house and place of habitation is the state of Washington. "Washington domiciliary" includes a person who is residing in rental housing or residing in base housing.  http://www.dva.wa.gov/education.html

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Employment Benefits:

Air National Guard: State employees receive 15 days military leave per year.
Eligibility: State employees on orders for Annual Drill, Air National Guard members.

Army National Guard: State employees receive 120 hours military leave, veteran preference points on employment exams for at least 180 days of federal service, allowed to share leave with activated employees to continue health and life insurance benefits.
Eligibility: State employees on orders for Annual Drill, Army National Guard members.

Preference in Public Employment: Veterans may receive scoring criteria status in competitive examinations for public employment. The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations. (1) Ten percent to a veteran who served during a period of war or in an armed conflict and does not receive military retirement. (2) Five percent to a veteran who did not serve during a period of war or in an armed conflict or is receiving military retirement. (3) Five percent to a veteran who was called to active military service for one or more years from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. (4) All veterans' scoring criteria may be claimed upon release from active military service.
Eligibility: Must be a veteran with Honorable Discharge.

Reemployment and Layoff Rights: Veterans are protected by State laws pertaining to returning veterans. There is a 90-day limit after date of discharge. Please call the US Department of Labor – VETS, 1-866-487-2365 or Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 1-800-336-4590.
Eligibility: Army Reserve or National Guard service members who were activated for either Federal or State service.

Military Retirement Credit: Washington State Department of Retirement Systems offers military retirement credit to qualified public employees.1-800-547-6657
Eligibility: Military Retiree: http://www.drs.wa.gov/Member/Publications/Military/wsprsMilInterruptive.htm

HireVetsFirst: Provides veterans and transitioning service members with resources and services to maximize their epmloyment opportunities, protect their employment rights and meet labor-market demands.
Eligibility: Active or retired military; National Guard service members.

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Special Vehicle License Plates

Special Vehicle License Plates: Washington Department of Licensing has issued license plates to eligible veterans with six separate designs, each containing a symbol representing a different branch of the armed forces to include Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and WA National Guard. Purchasers also receive a decal indicating their military status to include:

• Veteran
• Retired
• Active Duty
• Reserves
• Disabled Veteran
• Army Guard
• Air Guard
• Army Retired (for Army National Guard Retirees)
• Air Retired (For Air National Guard Retirees)
• Fallen Hero (This decal would be available for an eligible family member of a military member killed in action.)
• Family
• Gold Star

The original cost to purchase and Armed Forces plate(s) is $40.00 plus any applicable licensing fees. When the vehicle registration becomes due, owners pay an additional $30.00 to keep the Armed Forces plate on their vehicle, even if you have not had the plate(s) for a full year. $28 from the purchase and renewal of each plate will be directed to the Veterans Stewardship Account and is tax deductible.
Eligibility: You are eligible to purchase a plate at any

Vehicle Licensing Office if you are serving or have served at any time in the U.S. Military, active duty or in the Guard or Reserves; or if you are a family member of those who have served. Service member must provide DD214 when applying for special plates. Veterans rated at 100% disabled must present VA documentation as proof of disability. http://www.dva.wa.gov/licenseplates.html

Gold Star Parent Plate: In 2008, the Washington State Legislature approved a license plate for Gold Star Parents (WAC 308-96A-545). The plates honor parents of military men and women who lost their lives in service to our Country. These plates are not transferable. No special plate fee.

Eligibility: The parent of a member of the United States armed forces who has died while in service to their country or as a result of such service. The parent must be a resident of Washington state, a registered owner of a motorized vehicle, and certified by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). The term "parent", as defined by The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, (WDVA) includes: (a) Birth mother, (b) Birth father, (c) Stepmother, (d) Stepfather, (e) Mother through adoption, (f) Father through adoption, and (g) Adults who fulfilled the parental role including foster parents and kinship care providers or caretaker relative. (Documentation required). A copy of the letter to a qualifying parent provided by WDVA is required. The letter will be used in lieu of a special plate application to purchase the plate. No other documentation is required. http://www.dva.wa.gov/licenseplates.html

Vehicle License Plate Remembrance Emblems: To honor the veteran, who shares a common bond through their service and sacrifice to their country and to Washington, any honorably discharged veteran may obtain an emblem packet which contains one U.S. Veteran emblem, one U.S. Flag Emblem and their choice of campaign ribbon. Emblem packets are available for a cost of $10.00.
Eligibility: Provide copy of DD214 if a veteran and copy of the orders awarding a campaign ribbon. http://www.dva.wa.gov/licenseplates.html

Former Prisoners of War: A qualified prisoner of war may receive an exemption from license fees on one vehicle each year. Special plates are available with a permanent registration to qualified recipients.
Eligibility: Those who qualify for free licensing: have received an honorable discharge - or received a discharge for physical reasons with an honorable record, have been captured or incarcerated for more than 29 days by an enemy of the United States during a period of war with the United States, or are the surviving spouse of a deceased former prisoner of war. A surviving spouse of a former prisoner of war may be issued a regular or special license plate even if the deceased had not been issued a plate.  http://www.dva.wa.gov/licenseplates.html

Disabled Veteran Plate: The following types of disabled American Veterans may be exempt from license fees on one vehicle per year: a) Disabled American veterans and former prisoners of war; b) Veterans awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and c) Surviving spouses of a deceased former prisoner of war named as a registered owner of the vehicle, including lessees. These plates are good for the life of the vehicle.
Eligibility: Applicants need to have served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, Reserves, or National Guard, and received: an honorable discharge - or - received a discharge for physical reasons with an honorable record, and a 100% service connected disability rating from the Veteran's Administration or the military service from which the veteran was discharged.  http://www.dva.wa.gov/licenseplates.html

Medal of Honor: Washington residents who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor may receive a license plate representing that award. You must submit proof from the Department of Veteran Affairs that you have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. No special plate fee.
Eligibility: Obtain letter of eligibility from Dept. of Veteran's Administration verifying that you have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Complete a Military License Plate Application. Mail the completed application with letter of eligibility to:

Purple Heart: Any person who was issued the Purple Heart from any branch of the US Armed Forces, including the Merchant Marines, may be issued a special set of license plates indicating that they were injured in one of this nation's wars or conflicts. No special plate fee.
Eligibility: Be a Washington resident, have been wounded in combat during one of this nation's wars or conflicts, have been awarded a Purple Heart as evidenced by Armed Forces documentation (such as a DD-214), and be an owner, co-owner, lessee or co-lessee of the vehicle the Purple Heart plate will be issued to. http://www.dva.wa.gov/licenseplates.html

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Medical Benefits: Medical and hospital coverage equivalent to Worker's Compensation.
Eligibility: Injury occurs while serving on State Active Duty.

Group Insurance: National Guard Association offers a variety of life, vehicle, medical and dental insurance at low cost.
Eligibility: Member of Army/Air National Guard.

Workers Compensation: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees.
Eligibility: Injury occurs while serving on State Active Duty.

Injury/Death Benefits: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees less any VA payments received.
Eligibility: Injury/Death occurs while serving on State Active Duty.

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Hunting and Fishing Licenses:

Hunting and Fishing Privileges: Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife offers reduced licensing fees at a cost of half the resident fee.
Eligibility: Qualified disabled veterans rated 30% service connected or more. http://www.dva.wa.gov/passes.html

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Miscellaneous Benefits:

Recording of Discharges: County Clerks will provide free recording of the official discharge of each veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, as a confidential record.
Eligibility: Military veteran with DD214. http://www.dva.wa.gov/public_disclosure.html

State and National Park Passes: Washington State Parks and Recreation offers reduced and/or free passes. Also available is the Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass (Free) offernig free camping/moorage, campsite reservations through State Parks central reservations system, watercraft launching, trailer dump. Valid year-round. For State Park Passes, call 360-902-8500. For National Park Passes call 1-888-467-2757.
Eligibility: Qualified disabled veterans rated 30% service connected or more. Disabled veteran will provide proof such as award letter, or certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs or military service. http://www.dva.wa.gov/passes.html

Reduced Public Transportation Fees: Washington State Ferries and local participating transit authorities, offer disabled veteran passengers travel at a reduced rate. Please contact your local transit authority for more information. For reduced ferry rate information, please contact the WA State Ferries at 206-515-3460.
Eligibility: Disabled veteran passengers. http://www.dva.wa.gov/passes.html

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Counseling: WDVA provides an outreach/counseling program to veterans with war-era and PTSD-related problems. For more information, please call 1-800-562-2308.
Eligibility: All honorably discharged veterans and family members – including WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the various recent periods of conflict and peace-keeping operations – are eligible for counseling. Washington State National Guard or Military Reserve members deployed in support of the nation's war and peacekeepng missions and their family members. The veteran does not need to be suffering from or diagnosed with PTSD but should be able to demonstrate significant post war adjustment issues to warrant outpatient care. No VA service connected disability for any condition is required for this service. Services are free to qualified veterans. Priority is given to those most vulnerable or having no other reasonable options for care. http://www.dva.wa.gov/ptsd_counseling.html

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project: WDVA provides an individually designed case management plan to help homeless veterans find employment and offers assistance with housing, food, transportation, and employment support services. For more information, please call: 1-800-562-2308
Eligibility: Military veterans http://www.dva.wa.gov/homeless_veteran_services.html

Veterans Estate Management Program: WDVA acts as fiduciary/payee for veterans and their family members incapable of managing their own financial affairs. The program ensures basic needs such as housing, food, clothing and medical care are provided. For more information, please call: 1-800-562-2308
Eligibility: Military veterans http://www.dva.wa.gov/estate_management.htm

State Veterans Homes: WDVA operates three long-term nursing and assisted-living care homes in Orting, Retsil, and Spokane. (Spokane provides long-term nursing care only.) For more information, please call: 1-877-838-7787
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans http://www.dva.wa.gov/washington_state_veterans_homes.html

Veterans Innovations Program: Provides financial assistance to veterans and their families in emergency or employment needs through three separate programs: Defender's Fund; Competitive Grant and Veterans Family Fund. Call 1-800-562-2308 for additional information.
Eligibility: Military veterans http://www.dva.wa.gov/Vet_Inn_Pro.html

House Key Veterans Program: A down payment assistance second mortgage program with a 3.00% interest rate and a ten-year loan term for Veterans who have served their country. Contact (206) 287-4413 or 1-800-767-4663 for additional information.
Eligibility: 1) Persons receiving an honorable discharge or who have received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record; members and honorably discharged former members of the Washington National Guard and Reserve; and never remarried spouses and dependent children of deceased Veterans. 2) Borrowers must be a first-time homebuyer or buying in a targeted area. 3) Borrowers must meet the acquisition cost and income limits. 4) The first mortgage must be of a specified type listed on the following website: http://www.wshfc.org/buyers/keyveterans.htm

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 each individual county official for eligibility information. http://www.dva.wa.gov/countybenefits.html

Military Funeral Honors: An honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran consisting of not less than two members of the Armed Forces is available for eligible veterans.
Eligibility: Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve; former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable; former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment of period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable; former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. http://www.dva.wa.gov/burialbenefits.html

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): If a Veteran dies of service-related causes - or was continuously rated totally disabled for at least ten years preceding death, or five years from date of discharge - benefits may be paid to a surviving spouse, dependent of low-income parents.
Eligibility: Dependents must be a) less than 18 years of age; or b) not yet 23 years of age if attending a VA-approved school; or c) disabled before age 18.

State Veterans Cemetery:

Washington's first State Veterans Cemetery was dedicated in Medical Lake, WA on Memorial Day 2010. Until now, the nearest veteran’s cemetery was nearly 300 miles away at Tahoma National Cemetery near Kent WA which is about a four-hour drive from Spokane. About 140,000 veterans live within 75 miles of the new cemetery.

A Federal Grant helped pay for the $8 million, 80 acre site in West Medical Lake, surrounded by sprawling farms. The cemetery includes a committal shelter, pre-placed crypts, standard burial areas, columbarium, in-ground cremains burial areas, roads, a maintenance facility, an assembly area and supporting infrastructure.

Interment areas and facilities include 1,280 standard burial plots; 2,000 pre-placed crypts; 1,370 in-ground cremain sites and 2,240 columbarium niches. Interments began June 7 with the initial capacity for 10,700 and ultimate capacity of 70,000. Operating costs for the cemetery are a state expense, but much of it will be covered with the sale of veterans license plates. Veterans’ families do not pay burial fees, and concrete casket liners and memorial stones are provided.

Eligibility: In general all U.S. Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable; Spouses; and Dependent Children. Eligible spouses and children of veterans will be charged $300 for interment. The Washington State Veterans Cemetery will serve veterans and other eligible individuals from Washington and other States. Veterans who are eligible for interment are also eligible for a Federal VA Plot Allowance. http://www.dva.wa.gov/eastern_wa_vet_cemetery.html

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Military Installations and Veterans Affairs Facilities in Washington

Active Duty:

Army
Ft Lewis: http://www.lewis.army.mil/
Provides services for DEERS enrollment, ID cards, and has a PX and base Commissary.

Navy
Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island: http://naswi.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/
Naval Base Kitsap—Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap—Bremerton: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Kitsap/index.htm
Naval Station (NAVSTA) Everett: http://www.cnic.navy.mil/Everett/index.htm

Air Force
Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB): http://www.fairchild.af.mil/
McChord AFB: http://public.mcchord.amc.af.mil/

National Guard:

Washington National Guard: http://washingtonguard.org/

Washington Army National Guard: http://washingtonarmyguard.org/
Washington Air National Guard: http://washingtonairguard.org/

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Document Review Date: 27 July 2011