An estimated 232,653 veterans live in Oregon, making up 6.8% of the state's population or the 28th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Oregon Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Veterans with military service before Oct. 1, 1991, may be able to deduct a portion of their retirement pay. For those without military or federal service prior to Oct. 1, 1991, their military retirement is taxed normally.
Active-Duty Income Tax
All active-duty pay earned out of state is tax free. Up to $6,000 of active-duty pay earned in Oregon is also tax free.
Oregon Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans rated 40% or more disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may qualify for a property tax exemption.
Oregon Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
Veterans discharged from active duty and living in the state receive in-state undergraduate and graduate tuition. Certain online programs may not qualify.
The Veteran Educational Bridge Grant provides up to $5,000 to complete a program after exhausting other benefits.
Oregon National Guard State Tuition Assistance (ONGSTA) provides 100% funding for tuition to state Guard members for up to 120 semester credits at state institutions.
Military Dependent Education
Oregon's Veterans' Dependent Tuition Waiver provides full tuition, excluding fees, for a bachelor's, master's or associate degree at a state institution for children and unremarried spouses of service members who died on, or as a result of an injury received on, active duty or became 100% disabled in connection with military service.
Dependents of recipients who earned a Purple Heart after Sept. 11, 2001, may also receive a tuition waiver from Oregon institutions.
Oregon Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Veterans receive 5 points added to their final score on their test for state employment. Disabled veterans receive 10 points.
Military Spouse Employment
No state benefits.
Oregon Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Oregon's two veterans homes are in The Dalles and Lebanon. Admission is open to all veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge and their spouses. Gold Star parents are also eligible for admission.
Applicants must be in need of skilled nursing care and able to pay their share of the cost of care.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
Oregon Veteran Financial Assistance
Emergency assistance: Oregon offers financial assistance for veterans and their immediate families to pay for emergency or temporary housing and related housing expenses, utilities, insurance, house repairs, rent, emergency medical or dental needs and emergency transportation. All payments are made directly to payees or creditors. Assistance is granted one time only, and award amounts vary.
Home loans: Oregon's veterans home loans are separate from the federal VA's Home Loan Guaranty Program. The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs' home loan program offers eligible veterans fixed-rate financing for an owner-occupied, single-family residence; for purchases only (no refinancing is available); and for up to four home loans over a lifetime.
Oregon Veteran Legal Assistance
The Oregon State Bar Military Assistance Panel addresses legal concerns of resident service members and their families immediately before, after and during deployment.
Oregon Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Resident war veterans with at least a 25% service-connected disability rating from the federal VA may receive free hunting and fishing licenses.
Nonresident service members may hunt or fish at the resident rates.
Parks/Camping
Service-connected disabled veterans receive free parking and camping at state parks. They may camp for free in a tent, RV or standard horse camp site for 10 nights at a time at a single state park or a total of 10 nights in a 30-day period, regardless of the location. Staying longer than 10 nights will cost the standard rate and reservation fee for the extra days.
Active-duty members receive the same benefit as disabled veterans, but they must pay upfront, then file for reimbursement. Additionally, all active-duty service members may visit Oregon state parks for free on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day.
Veterans and military personnel do not have to be Oregon residents to qualify for these benefits.
Oregon Veteran Transportation Benefits
A veteran with any federal VA disability rating (even 0%) may receive a permanent "Disabled Veteran" license plate that does not have to be renewed. There is a small one-time fee. The plate also exempts those in certain areas from emissions inspections.
Oregon Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Oregon has no state veterans cemeteries.
More Information
Visit the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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