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Oregon — Veteran Benefits

Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.

At a Glance — What Unlocks by Status / Rating

Veteran benefits unlocked at each service status and disability rating in Oregon
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
Active Duty See detailed benefits below.
Guard / Reserve See detailed benefits below.
Military Retiree See detailed benefits below.
Veteran (honorable, no rating) See detailed benefits below.
0% SC See detailed benefits below.
10–20% See detailed benefits below.
30–40% See detailed benefits below.
50–60% See detailed benefits below.
70–90% See detailed benefits below.
100% schedular See detailed benefits below.
TDIU See detailed benefits below.
P&T See detailed benefits below.
SMC (Housebound/A&A) See detailed benefits below.
Surviving spouse / dependents See detailed benefits below.

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

Disabled veteran or surviving spouse/registered domestic partner of a veteran who owns and occupies the property as a homestead. Veteran must have a disability rating of **40% or greater**, certified by the VA or by a licensed physician.
Verify locally: Confirm 2026 exact figure with your county assessor — estimates above apply the statutory formula; actual certified amounts are set by the county assessor each year. Confirm any additional relief with your county assessor.

Authority: ORS 307.250; OAR Chapter 150-307-0250.

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

Oregon has no statewide vehicle property tax. Local vehicle registration fees are uniform; no veteran-specific vehicle property tax exemption exists. Disabled Veteran plate holders pay a one-time $15 registration fee instead of annual renewals (see Category 10).

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

Oregon has no general sales tax and no vehicle sales or use tax. All purchasers pay $0 state sales tax on vehicle purchases. No exemption card is needed or available.

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

**Benefit:** Oregon residents on active duty may subtract up to **$6,000** of remaining taxable military compensation per year. Pay earned while stationed outside Oregon is fully exempt. Oregon National Guard state active-duty pay is exempt. National Guard/Reserve pay earned while on assignments away from home lasting 21+ days is exempt.

Authority: ORS 316.680; Oregon DOR Military Personnel guidance; MSRRA (10 U.S.C. § 1058).

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

**Current rule:** Veterans with military service **before October 1, 1991** may subtract the portion of their military retirement pay attributable to that pre-October 1, 1991 service from Oregon taxable income. Veterans whose entire service occurred after October 1, 1991 pay Oregon income tax on retirement pay at regular graduated rates: **4.75% / 6.75% / 9.9%**.

Authority: ORS 316.680.

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

**Benefit:** Surviving spouses receiving Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) or Reserve Component SBP (RCSBP) annuities may subtract the portion attributable to service performed before October 1, 1991 from Oregon taxable income. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is fully tax-free everywhere, including Oregon — no state action required.

Authority: ORS 316.680.

7. State Income Tax — General

**Authority:** ORS 314.440; ORS 316.680.

Authority: ORS 314.440; ORS 316.680.

8. Sales Tax Exemption

Oregon has no state sales tax. No exemption card program exists.

9. Other State Tax Breaks

**Authority:** ORS 311.666 (deferral); ORS 307.250 (Guard/Reserve relief).

Authority: ORS 311.666 (deferral); ORS 307.250 (Guard/Reserve relief).

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

Any veteran with **any VA service-connected disability rating (including 0%)** qualifies.
Verify locally: **Action:** Apply at any Oregon DMV; present VA disability letter confirming SC disability; pay the one-time $15 fee.

Authority: ORS 805.100; ORS 805.103.

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

Covered under Category 10. Plate designates "Disabled Veteran." Each vehicle requires a separate application and one-time $15 fee. Plate transfer is allowed when a vehicle is sold only while the veteran remains a co-owner of the new vehicle.

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

Oregon offers specialty plates including (standard issuance fees and annual registration apply unless otherwise noted):

Authority: ORS 805.105; ORS 805.103.

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

Oregon currently has only two toll bridges (both Columbia River crossings to Washington state). No veteran-specific toll exemptions have been established. A planned Portland-area tolling program on I-5/I-205 was indefinitely postponed by Governor Kotek in March 2024, with no active 2026 implementation timeline.

14. Public Transit Discount

Veterans with a DD-214 showing honorable discharge; active duty and reservists with a military ID.

Authority: TriMet Honored Citizen program (local transit agency policy).

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

**Benefit:** Veterans with a **service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater** qualify for the **Oregon Wounded Warrior parking placard** at no charge. Valid until the holder's driver license or ID card expiration date.
Verify locally: **Action:** Apply at Oregon DMV with a VA letter confirming ≥50% SC disability rating.

Authority: ORS 811.616; Oregon DMV Wounded Warrior Placard program.

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

Honorable discharge; active-duty service of 91+ consecutive days (beginning on or before January 31, 1955) or 178+ consecutive days, OR less than 178 days with a service-connected disability rating.

Authority: ORS 807.390.

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

**Benefit:** U.S. military drivers may substitute military commercial vehicle experience for the CDL skills test under FMCSA authorization. Must apply within one year of leaving a military position requiring commercial vehicle operation; must have two years of such military experience. The written CDL knowledge test is still required.

Authority: 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart F (FMCSA); Oregon DMV implements.

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

Covered under Category 16. The "Veteran" text designation is printed on the Oregon DL/ID upon request with a valid DD-214.

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

**Benefit:** Resident disabled veterans with a **service-connected disability rating of 25% or greater** and at least six consecutive months of Oregon residency receive a **free combination license** that includes hunting privileges (see Category 22 for full details).

Authority: ORS 497.102; ORS 497.121; OAR 635-010-0157.

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

**Benefit:** Freshwater fishing is included in the free combination license for resident disabled veterans with ≥25% SC disability (see Category 22).

Authority: ORS 497.102; ORS 497.121; OAR 635-010-0157.

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

**Benefit:** Ocean Endorsement (saltwater fishing) is included in the free combination license for resident disabled veterans with ≥25% SC disability (see Category 22).

Authority: ORS 497.102; ORS 497.121; OAR 635-010-0157.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

**Benefit:** Resident disabled veterans with a **service-connected disability rating of 25% or greater**, who have at least six consecutive months of Oregon residency, receive an **annual free combination license** including:

Authority: ORS 497.102; ORS 497.121; OAR 635-010-0157; ODFW regulations.

23. Trapping License

No veteran-specific free or reduced trapping license is established in Oregon statutes or ODFW regulations. Standard trapping license fees apply. Call ODFW at 503-947-6000 to ask about any newly created programs.

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

**Benefit:** Oregon State Parks **Special Access Pass** for veterans with **any service-connected disability** (any rating) provides free day-use parking at all state parks that charge a day-use fee. Oregon residency is required (Oregon DL/ID or proof of Oregon mailing address) as of the March 2026 rule amendment.
Verify locally: **Action:** Apply via the Oregon State Parks website or by mail; submit a VA letter confirming SC disability and a copy of Oregon DL/ID.

Authority: OAR 629-025-0035; Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Special Access Pass program (amended effective March 1, 2026).

25. State Parks — Camping

**Benefit:** The Special Access Pass (Category 24) also covers free camping at tent sites, RV sites, and standard horse campsites in Oregon State Parks.

Authority: OAR 629-025-0035 (effective March 1, 2026).

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

**Benefit:** The Special Access Pass described in Categories 24–25 is a **10-year renewable pass** — not a lifetime pass. No separate veteran-specific annual or lifetime park pass exists at the state level.

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No veteran-specific boat registration fee exemption is established in Oregon law. ORS Chapter 830 and Oregon State Marine Board fee schedules contain no veteran preference. Standard motorboat registration fees apply (currently $5.95/ft plus an $8 aquatic invasive species surcharge). Contact Oregon State Marine Board at 503-378-8587 to ask about any future programs.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

**Benefit:** Veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under honorable conditions pay **Oregon resident tuition rates** at all Oregon public universities and community colleges, **regardless of their current state of residency**.

Authority: ORS 350.310; Oregon HB 2158 (2013).

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

**Benefit:** Oregon does not have a freestanding disabled-veteran-only tuition waiver for the veteran personally. Veterans enrolled in VR&E (Chapter 31) have tuition and fees covered by the VA directly.

Authority: OAR Chapter 274 (ODVA); federal 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 (VR&E).

30. Dependent Education Benefit

**Benefit:** Oregon Veteran Dependent Tuition Waiver — **full tuition waiver** at Oregon public universities and OHSU for: - A **bachelor's degree** (up to 4 years full-time equivalent) - A **master's degree** (up to 2 years full-time equivalent), available within 12 months of completing the bachelor's waiver
Verify locally: Some institutions (notably OHSU) apply a 31-year cutoff under their own policies — confirm the applicable age limit with the attending institution's registrar before applying.

Authority: ORS 350.285.

31. Spouse Education Benefit

Included in Category 30. Spouses of 100% SC disabled (P&T) or killed-on-active-duty veterans qualify for the same full tuition waiver under ORS 350.285.

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

Current Oregon Army or Air National Guard members enrolled at an eligible Oregon postsecondary institution for undergraduate study.
Verify locally: Confirm 2026–27 award terms (including whether fees and book allowances are restored) with Oregon Student Aid at oregonstudentaid.

Authority: ORS 351.641; Oregon Student Aid.

33. K-12 Support

**Benefit:** Oregon participates in the **Military Interstate Children's Compact (MIC3)**, which supports smooth school enrollment transitions, eliminates duplicate testing, and maintains academic continuity for military children moving to Oregon.
Verify locally: Confirm the current list of designated schools with the Oregon Department of Education at oregon.

Authority: MIC3 compact; Oregon Department of Education.

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

Oregon veteran; enrolled at an Oregon postsecondary institution; service-related interruption documented.

Authority: OAR Chapter 274; administered by ODVA.

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

**Benefit:** Oregon public employers (state, county, local government) must grant veterans' preference on civil service positions and promotions.

Authority: ORS 408.225; ORS 408.230; ORS 408.235; OAR 839-006-0450.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**Benefit:** Oregon licensing boards must accept **military training and experience as a substitute** for traditional civilian education or experience required for licensure, certification, or registration. Individual boards may have additional requirements.

Authority: Oregon HB 4063 (2012).

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

**Benefit:** Military spouses may have professional licenses expedited when moving to Oregon due to a military order. Certain licensing boards are required to honor out-of-state credentials on an expedited basis. Contact the specific Oregon licensing board for the relevant profession to initiate the expedited process.

Authority: ORS 676.310 and individual licensing board rules.

38. Business License Fee Break

No veteran-specific business license fee waiver or preference program has been identified in Oregon statutes or ODVA materials. Contact the Oregon Secretary of State Business Registry at 503-986-2200 to ask about any programs that may have been established.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**Benefit:** Oregon state employees on required military duty receive **21 days of paid military leave per year** (ORS 659A.086). Federal USERRA reemployment rights apply (up to five years of protected service; return to the same position, seniority, and benefits). Time away on active duty counts toward Oregon PERS vesting under USERRA.

Authority: ORS 659A.086; federal USERRA (38 U.S.C. §§ 4301–4335).

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

Oregon veteran with ODVA-established eligibility; honorable or general discharge; minimum active-duty service period. Federal VA eligibility not required.
Verify locally: com to confirm current funding availability — subject to change.

Authority: ORS Chapter 407; ODVA Home Loans program.

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

**Benefit:** Oregon Veterans' Emergency Financial Assistance Program (OVEFAP) — a **one-time emergency grant** for veterans and their immediate family (spouse, unremarried surviving spouse, child, or stepchild) facing a financial crisis.

Authority: ODVA; application form VS1024.

42. State Veteran Bonus

Oregon does not offer a state wartime service bonus or veterans cash bonus program.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

**Unavailable (state-specific)** — No Oregon state-funded adapted housing supplement has been identified. Federal VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants (up to $126,526 for FY2026) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants (up to $25,350) are available to qualifying Oregon veterans through the VA. The federal Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant is also available for medically necessary home modifications. Contact ODVA or your regional VA loan center for referrals.

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

**Benefit (indirect):** Veterans may qualify for **LIHEAP** (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) through Oregon Housing and Community Services. Income eligibility is ≤60% of State Median Income; heating assistance typically ranges from $250–$750. Households with disabled members receive priority outreach in October–November. Veterans are not a separately prioritized category under Oregon LIHEAP rules. Confirm current income limits and award amounts with Oregon Housing and Community Services at 503-986-2000 — amounts adjust annually.
Verify locally: Confirm current income limits and award amounts with Oregon Housing and Community Services at 503-986-2000 — amounts adjust annually.

Authority: Oregon Housing and Community Services; federal LIHEAP (42 U.S.C. § 8621 et seq.).

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

Veterans discharged under general or honorable conditions; spouses of veterans; surviving spouses; Gold Star Parents (parent of a servicemember who died in wartime service). Must require skilled or intermediate nursing care; physician certification required; facility must be able to provide the needed level of care.

Authority: ORS Chapter 408; ODVA Veterans' Homes program.

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**Benefit:** Oregon Health Authority (OHA) maintains veteran-specific behavioral health resources including the BeyondTheMilitaryUniform.com portal. Veterans who qualify for full Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) receive comprehensive medical and behavioral health coverage.

Authority: OHA Behavioral Health Division; ODVA partnership programs.

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

Oregon resident veterans who are **ineligible for OHP (Medicaid)** and have household income at or below **400% of the Federal Poverty Level** (FPL thresholds vary by family size and are updated annually — confirm current thresholds with ODVA at 503-373-2085 or at oregonhealthcare.gov for the filing year).
Verify locally: **Oregon Veteran Dental Program:** **Eligibility:** Oregon resident veterans who are **ineligible for OHP (Medicaid)** and have household income at or below **400% of the Federal Poverty Level** (FPL thresholds vary by family size and are updated annually — confirm current thresholds with ODVA at 503-373-2085 or at oregonhealthcare.

Authority: Oregon HB 4095 (2022); ORS Chapter 414.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

Veterans, surviving spouses, immediate family, minor children, helpless adult children of veterans, and dependents' parents who are unable to manage finances due to mental or physical illness, substance use, disappearance, confinement, or minority (age).

Authority: ORS Chapter 408; ODVA Aging Veteran Services Division.

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

**Benefit:** Oregon operates multiple **Veteran Treatment Courts (VTCs)** at the county level, including Washington County, Marion County, and Columbia County. VTCs provide a therapeutic-court alternative connecting justice-involved veterans to VA and community services.

Authority: Oregon Judicial Department; ORS 813.150 et seq.; ODVA VSO program.

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

**Benefit:** No statewide veteran-specific fee waiver for Oregon Concealed Handgun License (CHL) has been established. Standard CHL fees apply (approximately $115 for initial license; varies by county).
Verify locally: Because acceptance varies by county sheriff, confirm directly with your county sheriff's office before relying on this.

Authority: ORS 166.291.

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

No veteran-specific fee waiver for Oregon vital records has been found in Oregon statutes or OHA fee schedules. Current standard fees (2026): **$25** per certified copy by mail; **$28** in person (includes $3 identity authentication); $47.50 online via VitalChek. Source: OHA Vital Records Fees (oregon.gov/oha). Contact OHA Vital Records at 971-673-1190 for current information.

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Unique Programs:**

Authority: ORS 406.050 (ODVA VSO grants); SB 1 (2013); ORS Chapter 408 (SSLI).

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

Covered fully under Category 1. The surviving spouse or registered domestic partner of a qualifying veteran continues the property tax exemption ($26,303 non-SC / $31,565 SC AV exemption, 2025 figures) as long as they: - Have not remarried or entered a new registered domestic partnership - Own and occupy the property as their homestead - File annually with the county assessor between January 1 and April 1

Authority: ORS 307.250.

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

Covered under Category 30. The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died on active duty, died from a service-connected disability, or was 100% SC disabled (P&T) qualifies for the Oregon Veteran Dependent Tuition Waiver — full tuition at Oregon public universities and OHSU for a bachelor's degree (up to 4 years) or master's degree (up to 2 years). No income limit. Oregon residency required.

Authority: ORS 350.285.

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

**Federal benefits:** - **DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation):** Fully tax-free at both federal and Oregon state levels. No state action required. - **DEA (Chapter 35 Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance):** Available at the federal level for dependents of permanently disabled or deceased veterans. Contact your regional VA office.

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

**Benefit:** Oregon has two veterans' cemeteries serving Oregon veterans:
Verify locally: **Benefit:** Oregon has two veterans' cemeteries serving Oregon veterans: | Cemetery | Location | Phone | Type | |----------|----------|-------|------| | Eagle Point National Cemetery | 2763 Riley Road, Eagle Point, OR 97524 | 541-826-2511 | Federal (VA National Cemetery Administration) | | The Dalles Veteran Memorial Cemetery | The Dalles, OR | Contact ODVA 1-800-692-9666 | State-operated — confirm current operational status and eligibility directly with ODVA | **Eagle Point eligibility:** Veterans discharged other than dishonorably who meet minimum active-duty service requirements; spouses, surviving spouses, minor dependents, and qualifying unmarried adult disabled children of eligible veterans; Guard/Reserve members who died on active duty or were eligible for retired pay at time of death.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. § 2402; National Cemetery Administration; ODVA.

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

**Federal VA Burial Allowances (available to all Oregon veterans):** - **Non-service-connected death:** Up to **$1,002** reimbursement for burial and funeral expenses (2026 rate; for deaths on or after October 1, 2025); up to **$918** for plot/interment if not buried in a national or state cemetery. Confirm current rates at va.gov/burials-memorials or call 1-800-827-1000, as VA burial allowance amounts are updated periodically. - **Service-connected death:** Up to **$2,000** (2026 rate). - **VA-hospitalized at time of death:** Additional allowances may apply; contact the VA.
Verify locally: Confirm current rates at va.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. § 2302; 38 CFR 3.1705–3.1707; federal VA.

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

**All available at no charge to eligible Oregon veterans:**

Authority: 38 U.S.C. §§ 2306, 2308; DoD Military Funeral Honors program.