Oregon veterans benefits

Exempts a fixed portion of a disabled veteran's (or surviving spouse's) homestead assessed value. Veteran must be an Oregon resident who owns and lives in the home as primary residence, and be certified 40% or more disabled by the VA/a branch of service, or certified 40%+ disabled annually by a licensed physician. Two tiers: the higher amount applies to service-connected disability; the lower amount applies to the 40%-or-more (non-service-connected/physician-certified) path. Amount increases 3% each year.

Oregon does not have a general military-retirement exemption. Retirees may subtract the portion of taxable federal pension (including military retired pay) attributable to service before October 1, 1991: 100% if all service was before that date, proportional if service spans the date, 0% if all after. VA disability compensation is separately not taxed by Oregon.

Oregon does not tax VA disability compensation; it is a tax-free monetary benefit and is excluded from Oregon taxable income.

Provides 100% tuition funding (at no more than the state resident rate) for eligible Oregon Army and Air National Guard members at Oregon public universities and community colleges.

ODVA-administered grant for veterans who cannot complete their academic/training program on time due to unavailable required classes/training hours or a student-account debt blocking registration.

Public employers must grant a hiring/promotion preference to veterans and disabled veterans (and, effective Jan 1, 2026, current/former Oregon National Guard state servicemembers). On a 100-point scale, veterans receive 5 preference points and disabled veterans receive 10 points; qualifying veterans who meet minimum and special qualifications must generally be interviewed (ORS 408.237).

Service-connected disabled veterans qualifying as a 'disabled veteran' under ORS 805.100 may obtain disabled veteran plates with a one-time permanent vehicle registration (no recurring registration fee thereafter, aside from standard plate/replacement fees). Special veteran background plates (e.g. Purple Heart) are also available, some with surcharges.

Service-connected disabled veterans rated at least 25% who have resided in Oregon at least 6 consecutive months before applying may receive a free combination license including hunting, fishing, shellfish, and the Columbia River Basin Endorsement (Ocean Endorsement added as of 2026). Requires VA letter showing 25%+ rating; a $2 shipping/handling fee applies.

Veterans with a service-connected disability can get a Special Access Pass giving free day-use parking and free camping in tent/RV/standard horse-camp sites, up to 4 nights at a time at a single park or 4 nights total per calendar month (standard rate applies beyond that). Pass also allows free camping on Oregon Dept. of Forestry lands up to 10 days/month. Pass valid 10 years.

State-run, below-market-rate home loan program exclusive to Oregon veterans (separate from the federal VA loan guaranty); one of only a handful of states offering this. Eligibility based on qualifying active-duty service (e.g. 178+ consecutive days post-1/31/1955 with honorable discharge, or service-connected disability/combat-zone criteria). ODVA sets rates and fees.

State-operated skilled-nursing/long-term care homes for honorably/generally discharged veterans, their spouses/surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents. Admission requires a physician's recommendation for skilled nursing care. Veterans rated 70% or more service-connected who need skilled nursing due to the disability may have their cost of care covered by the US VA.