Washington Income Taxes

There are no individual income taxes in Washington. Distributions received from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are not taxed.

Washington State Disabled Veteran Property Tax Reduction

Washington offers a property tax reduction for eligible disabled Veterans. Veterans can receive a reduction in the amount of property taxes due based on their income, the value of the residence, and the local levy rates.   

Washington State Property Tax Assistance Program for Surviving Spouses of Veterans

Surviving Spouses of eligible Veterans can receive a grant to help pay their property taxes. The grant amount is based on the applicant’s income, the value of the residence, and the local levy rates. The grant does not have to be repaid if the applicant continues to live in the residence until at least December 15 in the year a grant is received. The Surviving Spouse must own and occupy a primary residence in Washington and have a combined disposable income of $40,000 or less.

Washington State Education Tuition Waiver for Veterans, Reserve Component Service Members, Spouses and Children

Washington state community colleges, colleges and universities will waive all or a portion of tuition and fees for eligible Veterans, reserve Component Service members, eligible Spouses and Children for up to 200 quarter credits or equivalent semester credits. The state will also provide a $500 per year stipend for textbooks and course materials. Revised Code of Washington 28B.15.621

Who is eligible for the Washington State Education Tuition Waiver for Veterans? All students must be Washington state residents and meet the following requirements:

Veterans and Service members:

• Veteran that served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge
• Reserve component Service member that served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces under Title 10 or Title 32 orders and received an honorable discharge.

Spouse/Surviving Spouse and Children: The Veteran Spouse/ parent must meet one of the following requirements for their dependent to be eligible:

• Has a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA as a result of active duty service
• Died while serving on active duty
• Declared missing in action (MIA) or a prisoner of war (POW).
• The Spouse or Child must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a waiver:
• Children must be between the ages of 17-26
• Spouse has 10 years from date the Service member is declared a POW/MIA or from the date the Veteran received their disability rating from the VA
• Surviving Spouse must be unremarried and has 10 years from the date of the Veterans death.

Washington State, “Operation Recognition” High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans

 Washington Operation Recognition will award high school diplomas to Veterans that left high school before they received their diploma to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II (WWII), Korea and Vietnam. Veterans that have received a GED are also eligible.

Washington State Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children MIC3)

The purpose of this compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on Children of military Families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:

• Facilitating the prompt enrollment of Children of military Families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of educational records from the previous school district or variations in entrance or age requirements
• Facilitating the student placement process through which Children of military Families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content or assessment
• Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities
• Facilitating the on-time graduation of Children of military Families
• Providing for the enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact
• Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military Families under this compact
• Promoting coordination between these compact and other compacts affecting military Children
• Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parent, and the student to achieve educational success for the student.

Washington State Employee Leave for Military Service

State employees that are Service members in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive military leave with pay for up to 21 working days during each fiscal year. This leave can be used for required military duty, training, or drills. Service members are charged military leave only for the days they are scheduled to work.

Washington State Employment Veterans Hiring Preference

Washington Offers Veteran hiring preference for eligible Veterans and their Spouse/Surviving Spouse. Applicants must meet the requirements for the position and be able to perform the duties required.

State employers that use a scored examination to determine who will be hired will add points to passing scores for those that are eligible. This preference can only be used for initial employment.

• 10% will be added to a Veteran’s scores that served in a wartime period or when a expeditionary or campaign medal was authorized and are not eligible for military retired pay
• 5% will be added to a Veteran’s scores that are receiving military retired pay
• 5% will be added to a Veteran’s scores that did not serve in a wartime period.

In addition, 5% will be added to aa promotional exam score of a reserve component Service member called to active duty while in public employment (only applies for first promotion).

Washington State Employment Military Service Credit in Retirement System

State employees that participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) who leave their state employment to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible to receive up to 10 years of service credit for the time they served. This service credit is called interruptive military service credit. Service credit is one of the factors used in computing state retirement pay, increasing service credit would increase future retirement benefits.

Service members can receive five years’ service credit free for service during a wartime period or for service when a campaign medal was authorized. Service members can purchase five more years’ service credit by paying any required employee contributions. Credit for wartime service must be requested within five years of returning to their DRS covered employment

Washington State Work Source Veteran Services

Washington State Work Source Centers helps Veterans and their Spouse find jobs. This includes priority access to Work Source services and priority referrals to jobs that are listed with Work Source.

Work Source centers also offer Veterans and their Spouses:

• Job listings, job referrals and hiring events
• Résumé, application, and interviewing assistance
• Use of computers, copiers, and phones
• Skill assessments and referrals to training and other resources.
• Veterans can register on the Work Source and identify themselves as a Veteran to make it easier for Veteran-friendly employers to find them as well as search for job openings where employers give Veteran’s priority over other applicants.

Most Work Source centers have Veteran Employment Specialists to help Veterans who have disabilities and other severe barriers to employment. For more information contact the nearest Work Source center

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Apprenticeship Programs

Some apprenticeships in Washington offer direct entry into their programs for Veterans. Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, under the supervision of a journey-level professional. Apprentices are paid while they learn and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new career field. Veterans may be eligible for VA education benefits that may be used to pay for books, supplies, and housing expenses.

After completing a registered apprenticeship program, apprentices receive a professional credential that is recognized nationwide.

Washington State Department of Health Military Licensure Benefits

The Washington State Department of Health offers expedited licensing for the Spouse/Domestic Partner of Service members in the U.S. Armed Forces that are stationed in Washington.

In addition, the Washington State Department of Health will accept military education, training, and experience towards meeting the license requirements for Service members and Veterans for certain entry-level health professions.

Federal Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preferences

By Federal law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-Veterans in hiring into the Federal civil service and in retention during reduction in force. Veterans may be entitled to 5 or 10 points included in any scoring process for examination or interviews.

5-point Hiring Preference: Five points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served:

• During a war, or
• During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or
• For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976, or
• During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, or
• For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or
• In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference.

10-point Compensable Disability (CP) Preference: Ten points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30%.

10-Point 30% Compensable Disability Preference (CPS): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

10-Point Disability Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of:

• A Veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the VA but does not qualify as a CP or CPS, or
• A Veteran who received a Purple Heart.

10-Point Derived Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of Spouses, Surviving Spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a Spouse (including Surviving Spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran’s service if they both meet the requirements. However, neither may receive preference if the Veteran is living and is qualified for Federal employment.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the Spouse of a disabled Veteran who is disqualified for a federal position along the general lines of their usual occupation because of a service-connected disability. Such a disqualification may be presumed when the Veteran is unemployed and

• Is rated by appropriate military or VA authorities to be 100% disabled and/or unemployable, or
• Has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position because of a disability that is service-connected in origin, or
• Has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of their usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability.

Preference may be allowed in other circumstances but anything less than the above warrants a more careful analysis.

A campaign medal holder or Gulf War Veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty.

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)

USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA also protects Service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.

Absence from Work for Military Duty

USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights to five years. Exceptions to the five-year limit, include initial enlistments lasting more than five years, periodic National Guard and Reserve training duty, and involuntary active-duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of national emergency. USERRA establishes that reemployment protection does not depend on the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of an individual’s service if the basic eligibility criteria are met.

Disability Accommodation

USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. Service members recovering from injuries received during service or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.

Return to Work without Loss of Seniority

USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, they are deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

Extension of Health and Pension Plans

Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium. For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had remained employed. USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that all pension plans are protected.

Washington State Unemployment Insurance (UI)

UI provides temporary financial assistance for workers that are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement of lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income. Benefits are not based on financial need.

Employers pay all costs of the UI program. The amount of benefits applicants may be eligible for is determined by the amount of work they performed and wages they earned during the last 12-18 months prior to filing the claim.

Information needed to file a claim:

• Social Security number
• Name, birthdate, mailing address, phone number and email address
• Highest level of education
• Names and mailing addresses of all your employers during the past 18 months, including part-time and temporary jobs
• Dates worked for all employers in the past 18 months
• Name and local union number (if applicable)
• DD214, member copy 2 through 8 if a former Service member in the past 18 months
• SF8 or SF50 If a former federal employee in the past 18 months
• Work authorization information if not a U.S. citizen
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit.

Veteran Designation on Washington State Driver License or ID Card

Honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for a Veteran designation on Washington state driver licenses and ID cards. Veterans must visit a Washington driver license office and provide a copy of their DD214 (or equivalent) or VA ID as proof they received an honorable discharge to apply. There is no fee if Veterans are only adding the Veteran designation.

Washington State Military and Veterans License Plates

Washington state offers 14 license plate designs to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible Service members, Veterans, retired Service members and Family members. In addition, Washington has “Veteran/Military Service Award Emblems” that may be attached to any license plate type.

Washington State Gold Star License Plate

Washington offers the Gold Star license plate to the immediate Family members of a Service member that dies while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or who dies because of their service

Washington State Disabled Veteran License Plate

The Washington state Disabled Veteran license plate is offered to eligible disabled Veterans. This license plate is exempt from license fees for one vehicle per year. These license plates are good for the life of the vehicle but do not grant disabled parking privileges. 

Washington State Medal of Honor License Plate

The Washington state Medal of Honor license plate is a offered to recipients of the Medal of Honor

Washington State Purple Heart License Plate

The Washington state purple Heart license plate is offered for recipients of the Purple Heart and the unmarried Surviving Spouse/domestic partner of a deceased recipient. There is no charge for the first set of license plates. This license plate may be personalized

Washington Resident Service Member and Dependent Driver License/ID Card Expiration Extension

The driver licenses of Washington State resident Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces remain valid until 90 days after discharge. Service members and dependents must have the following with them for their license or ID to be considered valid:

• Driver license or ID card
• Active duty/dependent ID card
• Washington State, Department of Licensing Authorization card

TRICARE Reserve Select Health Insurance

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve (Reserve and National Guard) and their Families who meet the following qualifications:

• Not on active-duty orders
• Not covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program
• Not eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program or currently covered under FEHB, either under their own eligibility or through a Family member.

The plan provides comprehensive health care coverage when a Service member is not on active duty and covered by active-duty TRICARE benefits.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Life Insurance

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component Service members, and their Families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

• Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
• Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI)
• Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)
• Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection Program (TSGLI)
• Service-Disabled Veterans’ Life Insurance (S-DVI)
• Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI).

State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI) for Members of Washington State National Guard

The SSLI program provides term life insurance exclusively for actively serving members of the Washington National Guard and their dependents. All Washington National Guard Service members are automatically protected with $1,000 of SSLI at no charge. The Basic program provides financial protection in the event of death. It also provides coverage for Spouses and/or Children, all at an affordable monthly cost. The Enhanced program provides additional affordable group term life insurance for members and Spouses.

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)

USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA also protects Service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.

Absence from Work for Military Duty

USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights to five years. Exceptions to the five-year limit, include initial enlistments lasting more than five years, periodic National Guard and Reserve training duty, and involuntary active duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of national emergency. USERRA establishes that reemployment protection does not depend on the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of an individual’s service if the basic eligibility criteria are met.

Disability Accommodation

USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. Service members recovering from injuries received during service or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.

Return to Work without Loss of Seniority

USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, they are deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

Extension of Health and Pension Plans

Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium. For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had remained employed. USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that all pension plans are protected.

Washington State National Guard Medical Coverage and Compensation for Injury, Illness and Death Benefits incurred while on State Active Duty

Washington National Guard Service members that are injured, become ill or disabled or die while serving on state active duty or inactive duty will receive required medical care and compensation under Washington state workers’ compensation laws.

Washington State Nonresident Service Members Military Hunting and Fishing Privileges

Nonresident Service members stationed at a military installation in Washington state are eligible to purchase a Washington hunting and fishing licenses for resident prices. Service members must provide a copy of their orders assigning them to Washington or billeting documents and show their military ID to be eligible.

Washington State Reduced Fee Hunting and Fishing Privileges for Disabled Veterans

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife offers half price hunting and fishing licenses for resident and nonresident disabled Veterans.

Washington State Free Hunting Licenses for National Guard Service Members

Service members in the Washington National Guard are eligible for a free annual hunting license package that includes a big-game license (deer, elk, bear, and cougar with tags) and a small game license with a migratory bird permit.

Washington State Parks Disabled Veteran Free Lifetime Pass

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission offers free camping, docking, campsite reservations, watercraft launching, trailer dump and day use entry at Washington State Parks for eligible disabled Veterans.

Recording of Discharges for Washington State Veterans

Washington State County Auditors will record, free of Charge, official discharge documents of Washington Veterans that served in the U.S. Armed Forces

Reduced Public Transportation Fees for Disabled Veterans Around Puget Sound

Disabled Veterans can receive reduced fares when using public transportation in the Puget Sound area.

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Program

The WDVA provides an outreach/counseling program to Veterans with war-era and PTSD-related problems. The PTSD Program provides community-based counseling services that are less formal in nature and offer the highest level of confidentiality possible. Some of the services provided include individual, couples, Family, and Veteran group counseling.

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP)

 HVRP is a proven, successful program that gets homeless Veterans off the street and back to being productive members of society. HVRP provides services to Veterans in King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Yakima, Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry, Grant, Adams, Lincoln, and Whitman Counties.

The HVRP offers a structured, individualized case management plan to assist Veterans in becoming employable and secure.

Program Services include:

• Immediate needs – food, clothing, transportation, and access to shelter
• Outreach to homeless Veteran service providers
• Employability needs and skills assessment
• Job readiness services, including:
• Transitional housing assistance
• Basic skills training
• Therapeutic work
• Résumé development
• Employment referrals

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Estate Management Program

The WDVA, 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. These services may include the following:

• Fiduciary appointment by the VA
• Representative payee appointment by the Social Security Administration.

Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) Program

he VCC Program provides training and volunteer opportunities for Veterans. The VCC, through restoration, training, and agriculture, seeks to support Washington state Veterans in their own connections to healing and purpose.

Opportunities through the VCC include:

• Volunteering - Veterans Peer Corps is a Veteran, or a Veteran’s dependent, who receives training and certification and then serves as a peer mentor by facilitating meetings and activities
• VCC Internships – provides meaningful internship opportunities for Veterans while helping restore and protect Washington State’s natural resources
• Veterans Farm at Orting - focuses on teaching Veterans interested in agricultural industries how to thrive
• Veteran Training Support Center - dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of trauma and related issues specific to Veterans.

Washington State Veterans Homes

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) operates four long-term nursing and assisted-living care homes where Veterans are treated with the dignity and respect, they deserve in settings that provide a sense of belonging unique to Veterans.

• Washington Soldiers Home Orting
• Washington Veterans Home Port Orchard
• Spokane Veterans Home
• Walla Walla Veterans Home

All Washington State Veterans Homes are Medicare and Medicaid certified facilities.

Services provided:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Recreational activities
• Social services
• Volunteer programs
• Hospice care
• Nutritious meals
• Community involvement
• Religious programs
• Transportation
• Laundry
• Beauty and barber shops
• Fishing pond (Orting)
• Patriotic burial services

Washington Veterans Transitional Housing Program

The Washington Veterans Transitional Housing Program helps Veterans that need stable housing, vocational rehabilitation, and increased income potential. Veterans are surrounded with supportive staff and wrap-around services designed to lead to their successful completion of the program and a successful return to the community. The Transitional Housing facilities are in Port Orchard and Orting, WA.

The Veterans Transitional Housing Program focuses on three goals:

• Increased residential stability
• Greater self-determination
• Increased skill level and income potential

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Innovations Program (VIP)

VIP provides financial assistance to Veterans who served on or after September 11, 2001 that are facing financial hardships.
Who is eligible for the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs VIP?

• Received an honorable discharge
• Served on or after September 11, 2001
• Is experiencing financial hardship where income is not sufficient to meet basic needs
• Shows a distinct positive outcome
• Request is within grant funding capabilities.

Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Veterans Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

The Veterans Down Payment Assistance Loan Program is a down payment assistance, second mortgage program with a 3.00% interest rate and payments deferred for up to 30 years for Washington State Veterans. Veterans Down Payment Assistance Loan Program combines with the Home Advantage first mortgage loan program. Eligible households may qualify for a maximum loan amount of up to $10,000.
Who is eligible for Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Veterans Down Payment Assistance Loan Program?

• Veterans that served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge
• Former Service members in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces that received an honorable discharge
• Unremarried Surviving Spouse and dependent Children of deceased Veterans.

Washington State, County Veterans Assistance Programs

Washington law authorizes each county to establish a Veterans’ assistance program to address the needs of local needy Veterans and their Families. Interested applicants should contact their county representative for more information and eligibility requirements.

Washington State Veterans Cemetery

Washington’s State Veterans Cemetery is located 3 miles west of Fairchild Air Force Base and provides a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible Family members.

The cemetery offers casket burials which includes the plot, a concrete liner, and an upright granite marker. Options for cremated remains includes:

• Niche in the columbarium wall with inscribed, granite niche cover
• Ground plot with an inscribed upright granite marker
• Scattering garden where the Family may scatter the remains and includes an inscribed flat granite marker.

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Women Veterans Advisory Committee

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services has two Veterans Care Centers that provide affordable, long term skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s/dementia care as well as short- and long-term rehabilitation for Veterans. Each first-class facility is designed to enhance a resident’s quality of life in a clean, caring, and dignified environment.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities in Washington State

The VA has numerous resources available for Veterans and Family members. Please see the local location listing for your nearest facility.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities in Washington State

The VA has numerous resources available for Veterans and Family members. Please see the local location listing for your nearest facility.