Oregon Veterans Benefits – The Insider’s Guide

The Veteran Benefits Experts at VA Claims Insider have compiled all of the “must-know info” about the Oregon Veterans Benefits you can expect if you call the Beaver State your home!

The Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs (ODVA) administers a wide range of disabled veteran benefits programs in Oregon, such as free benefits and disability claims counseling, state veteran homes, health care, education, pension, home loans and property taxes, insurance, recreational discounts, employment, and legal advice, among others.

You can visit the ODVA website to learn more about the activities, services, and benefits they can assist with if you are an in-state Veteran or family member of an Oregon disabled veteran. But first, let’s jump into all the Oregon Veterans benefits and Oregon VA benefits you’ve earned from your service.

Visit Oregon.gov’s Oregon Veterans Benefits page to learn more!

Overview of Oregon Military Life

Oregon’s veteran population ranks 25th in the states according to the most recent available data from the U.S. Census Bureau (released in July 2019):

• Adult Population: 3.3 million (27th)
• Veteran Population: 276,280 (25th)

Oregon ranks in the top 3 of states for highest unemployment and the top 10 for veterans for veterans below poverty level.

• Veteran Unemployment: 5.9% (3rd overall)
• Veteran Poverty Rate: 8.1% (7th)

Oregon also is in the 10 states with disabled veterans. 

• Veterans with a Disability: 32.8% (8th)

Oregon also happens to be one of the most expensive states to live in, with a high cost of living (ranking 45th) and equally high housing affordability compared to other states (housing affordability ranking: 47th). 

The cost of living lowers Oregon into the middle (23rd) when it comes to an economic environment for veterans. Equally low is the median income of veterans being $36,197, which is one of the lower medians in the states.

On top of this, Oregon ranks dead last for overall veteran quality of life at 51st overall (Washington D.C. is ranked as a state on this site). On the bright side, Oregon is in the top half of medical care for veterans, ranking 22nd in the nation. The state only has 13 VA locations to go with 6 military bases. 

With all that said, let’s take a closer look at the benefits for Oregon disabled veterans. 

Oregon VA Benefits Overview

Veterans Benefits Administration- Southeast District

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Financial

Oregon Property Tax Exemption 

If you are a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a war veteran, you may be entitled to exempt $15,450 or $18,540 of your homestead property’s assessed value from property taxes. 

The exemption amount increases by 3 percent each year. The exemption is first applied to your home and then to your taxable personal property. If you are an Oregon resident and a qualifying veteran or that veteran’s surviving spouse and live in your home, you may file a claim and receive the exemption.  

Oregon Conservatorship Program

Financial management program for certain veterans, their dependents and survivors. Managing the financial affairs of these protected persons helps meet their current and future needs.  Visit the Oregon Dept. of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance. 

Oregon Veterans’ Emergency Financial Assistance Program (OVEFAP)

 When  funds are available, this financial assistance program is available for veterans and their immediate family (spouse, unremarried surviving spouse, child or step child) who are in need of emergency financial assistance.  

Assistance needs includes, but are not limited to: 

• Emergency or temporary housing and related housing expenses, such as expenses for utilities, insurance, house repairs, rent assistance or food; 
• Emergency medical or dental expenses; 
• Emergency transportation;
• Expenses related to starting a business, such as business licenses or occupational licenses;
• Temporary income after military discharge;
• Legal assistance.

NOTE: This program is funded quarterly and often runs out of funds, be sure to contact the ODVA for assistance and to find out if funds are currently available Visit the Oregon Dept. of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Housing & Healthcare

Oregon Veterans Home

Oregon runs two veterans Homes 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. For more information, visit this link: Oregon State Veterans Homes

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Employment

Oregon Veterans’ Employment Preference 

Veterans preference in public employment. Additional preference for disabled veterans. Preference points are awarded to eligible veterans seeking employment with all state agencies, and are awarded as follows:

• A five (5) point preference for eligible veterans.
  • Application is made within 15 years of discharge or release from service in the Armed Forces 
• A ten (10) point preference for service-connected disabled Veterans. 
  • Application is made throughout the lifetime of the disabled veteran. 

Learn more about the Oregon Veterans’ Employment Preference at Oregon.gov.

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Education

Oregon Educational Aid 

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides educational benefits for pursuit of approved training courses. Benefits will be paid for as many months as the veteran spent in active service, up to a maximum of 36 months. Veterans’ who qualify for the program are entitled to receive up to $150 per month. Benefits are paid for classroom instruction, home study courses, and for vocational training from an accredited educational institution.  

Note: ODVAs Educational Aid will not be paid if the veteran is currently receiving federal educational benefits under any federal act. Payment Amounts:

• Full-time students are entitled to receive up to $150 per month. 
• Part-time students are entitled to receive up to $100 per month.
• School criteria determines full-time and part-time status. 

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Active duty in the Armed Forces of the U.S. for not less than 90 days; and
   
   
2. Released from military service under honorable conditions; and 
   
   
3. Is a resident of Oregon when applying for State Educational Aid; and 
   
   
4. Is a citizen of the United States; and
   
   
5. Served during the Korean War (June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955) or after June 30, 1958. Visit the Oregon Dept. of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance. 

Benefit for Dependents of Deceased, Disabled Oregon Veterans Oregon’s State Legislature passed a law that provides a full-tuition waiver for a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an Oregon University System institution for children or spouses of service members who died on active duty, became 100 percent disabled in connection with military service, or died as a result of a disability sustained on active duty.

Information on the tuition waiver as well as the application form can be found Oregon University System website under “Featured Documents and Links.” Visit the Oregon Dept. of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance. 

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Recreational Discounts, Licenses & Passes

Oregon Hunting and Fishing Licenses 

A free lifetime Oregon hunting and angling license to service-connected disabled veterans rated 25% or more. Disabled veterans are also eligible for an Oregon Elk tag at a reduced cost.

Active members of the armed forces or veterans who retired from the Armed Forces within 12 months of the date of application, may apply to the Oregon Military Department for reimbursement for the cost of a resident annual hunting and angling license. 

Oregon State Park Use Permits 

Service-connected disabled Veterans and active duty military personnel on leave have free day-use parking and free overnight rental of RV and tent campsites for up to five consecutive days and no more than 10 days total in a calendar month. 

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Vehicle Licenses, Plates & Privileges

Oregon Veteran License Plates 

Veterans may purchase a license plate set displaying the word VETERAN for a $10 surcharge in addition to normal fees from a local Oregon Division of Motor Vehicles office.

The $10 surcharge goes to the support of the Oregon Veterans’ Home. Proof of honorable military service is required. 

Former POWs, members of the active Oregon National Guard and certain veteran service organization names are available on license plates. Service-connected disabled veterans qualify for a one time registration fee for motor vehicle registration. These plates do not allow parking in designated disabled parking spaces. 

Discounted Fees 

• One-time registration fee for motor vehicle registration for eligible veterans with a service connected disability
• Free hunting and angling license for disabled veterans rated at 25% or more.
• Free year-round camping for service-connected disabled veterans and active duty personnel on leave.

Oregon Veterans Benefits: Conclusion

Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the country. The Beaver state is stunning in its landscape and has one of the most laid-back cultures in the US, which is attractive to many people. The outdoor opportunities also excite many veterans. 

Unfortunately, Oregon’s lack of job opportunities have made the state one of the worst states for veterans to live in. While the VA system is in the top half the country, the state does not provide many opportunities to offset how expensive it is to live there. 

They take the care of their vets seriously, and by the population numbers it’s clear that many veterans enjoy living there, as Oregon’s population of veterans ranks higher than its general population among the 50 states. This can be due to the fact that Oregon is simply a beautiful place to live. 

Compared to other states, Oregon has a moderate amount of benefits for its veterans. However it cannot be ignored that the overall quality of life for veterans ranks the lowest in the nation. Thankfully Oregon partly makes up for that by being one of the best states for stretching the value of your dollar. 

If you are already in Oregon and are looking to make the most of your Oregon veteran benefits, you will want to visit the state portal for veterans at https://www.oregon.gov/odva/.There you will find access to many of Oregon’s benefit programs, as well as more information regarding each benefit available. 

For a complete list of VA hospitals, treatment centers, and other resources in Oregon, you can also go to the Oregon VA directory here. 

About the Author

Brian Reese is a VA expert, author, and founder of VA Claims Insider – “The Most Trusted Name in Education-Based Resources for Veterans.”

More than 300,000 military members and veterans come to the VA Claims Insider and Military Disability Made Easy websites each month to get educated on the VA and DoD disability process.

Learn more >> About VA Claims Insider HERE. <<

Brian’s frustration with the 8-step VA disability claims process led him to create “VA Claims Insider,” which provides disabled veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim in less time.

He is also the CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, which is the world’s largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability, and has served more than 6,000,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013.

Veterans can download one of his #1 most downloaded FREE eBooks right here right now: “The Secret Guide to 833 Ratable VA Disabilities” by clicking HERE now.

Brian is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to southern Afghanistan in 2011 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).