Oregon Veteran Benefits

Retired service members can subtract military retired pay earned for service prior to October 1, 1991, from their Oregon income taxes. Any military retired pay earned on or after 1 October 1991 may not be subtracted.

Oregon allows the same six-month extension for filing and paying state income taxes for service members (and their spouse when filing jointly) who are serving in a designated combat zone or hazardous duty area as allowed by the IRS.

Nonresident military spouses do not have to pay Oregon income taxes for wages earned in Oregon. Who is eligible for the Oregon Nonresident Military Spouse Tax Exemption: To be eligible nonresident military spouses must meet the following requirements:

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

The surviving spouse of a deceased service member can subtract SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities for service prior to October 1, 1991, from their Oregon income taxes. Any annuities received for service after October 1, 1991, may not be subtracted.

Oregon offers property tax exemptions of $26,303 or $31,565 for disabled Veterans and their surviving spouse on their homestead's assessed value for property taxes. Veterans and their surviving spouse (or registered domestic partner) must own and live at the homestead property to be eligible.

Oregon does not tax Social Security benefits.

Veterans using VA educational benefits, students using transferred VA educational Benefits, Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA), or the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, who live in Oregon while attending an Oregon institution of higher learning, regardless of t

The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant administered by the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) provides a grant of up to $5,000 to help student Veterans achieve their educational goals.

Oregon resident Veterans who left high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces can request a high school diploma. Veterans can request a diploma from the school district where they live now, or the school district they would have graduated from.

Oregon's Employment Department administers the UI program providing temporary financial assistance to unemployed Oregon workers. 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.

The ODVA offers eligible Oregon Veterans fixed-rate financingfor an owner-occupied, single family residence. Financing is available up to the Fannie Mae limit. Veterans can use ODVA Home Loan Program for a maximum of up to four home loans in their lifetime.

The OVEAP provides emergency financial assistance to Veterans and their family. Assistance is granted only once and award amounts can vary. Applicants must demonstrate they can continue to pay for basic living expenses after the emergency is resolved. All payments will be sent directly to creditors.

Oregon resident disabled Veterans are eligible for a free combination license that includes hunting, fishing and shellfish licenses, and an elk tag for the reduced price of $25. This license must be renewed every year.

The Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit is not a license or tag but offers additional privileges to accommodate an individual's disabilities. This permit is valid for five years.

Oregon resident service members who are stationed outside Oregon and home on leave are eligible for controlled deer, elk and bear tags.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) offers free camping RV sites, tent campsites, standard horse campsites and free parking at day-use fee parks. Free camping is for up to 10 nights at a single state park, or 10 nights in a 30 day period regardless of the location.

Oregon is required by law to provideVeterans' hiring preference for state employment to eligible Veterans, as well as current and former Oregon National Guard Service members (beginning 1 January 2026).

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.

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.

Oregon State employees who are serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 21 days of paid military leave each year for required military duty.

OMFLA requires Oregon businesses to provide 14 days of unpaid leave for employees who are the spouse or domestic partner of certain active and reserve component service members.

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) helps Veterans, service members who are leaving the U.S. Armed Forces and eligible spouses by providing employment training and placement services.

Oregon professional licensing agencies and boards accept military training or experience as an allowable substitution for traditional civilian education or experience required for licensure, certification or registration.

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:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains five national cemeteries in Oregon. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) offers a Veteran designation for driver licenses, instruction permits or ID cards. There is no additional fee for the Veteran designation. Original application, renewal or replacement fees will apply.

Honorably discharged Veterans are eligible for the Oregon Veteran license plate. Branch of service insignia or service related decals are available for this license plate.

The ODVA Conservatorship Program authorizes the appointing of a conservator for a Veteran or their family members:

The ODVA offers Representative Payee Services for Veterans and their dependents that can act in a limited capacity to pay bills on behalf of their clients.

The Oregon's Military Funeral Honors Program helps to schedule and coordinate military funeral honors for deceased active duty Service members and Veterans.

Oregon Law requires employers to offer Veteran employees paid or unpaid time off on November 11 each year in recognition of their service.

Many Oregon counties offer transportation services for Veterans. Please visit the Learn more… link below for contact information for counties and regions that offer transportation services.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Oregon enter Oregon in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.