The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) continues to build better lives for veterans and their families living in Oregon. From helping veterans obtain earned medals and military awards to filing claims for education benefits, ODVA is here with you every step of the way. We strongly encourage you to seek the advice and counsel of an accredited Veteran Service Officer to represent your interests before filing a VA claim.
 
Oregon State Benefits Checklist
 
 State Parks Use Permit
Free year round camping for service-connected disabled veterans and U.S. Armed Forces active-duty personnel on leave. The benefit includes camping and day-use privelages at RV and tent sites in Oregon State Parks. The Oregon Parks and Rec Dept. issues park access identification cards to every qualifying veteran who submits a completed application for the fee waiver, which applies to the use of RV and tent campsites and visits to all 26 of OPRD’s day-use-fee parks.

Application for Oregon State Parks Permit

 ORVET Home Loans
The ODVA State Veteran’s Home Loan program (ORVET) offers favorable interest rates and enables honorably-discharged veterans to purchase a single-family owner-occupied home. Eligibility for the program can be established prior to making actual application for a home loan.

 

ODVA home loans are available to veterans purchasing a primary residence within the State of Oregon. The current maximum ORVET loan amount is $417,000 or a veteran’s remaining eligibility if there has been a previous ODVA loan. The home being purchased must be within the State of Oregon. The home must be the veteran's primary residence.

www.oregon.gov/ODVA/HOMELOANS

 Permanent Vehicle Registration Fee for Disabled Veterans

One-time registration fee for motor vehicle registration for service-connected disabled veterans in receipt of compensation. Disabled veterans must provide proof that the qualifying disability is connected with service in the Armed Forces of the United States. This proof must be provided in the form of a letter from the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs or any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States. To request a letter, call VA at 1-800-827-1000. The letter must certify:

1. You are a service member discharged or released under honorable conditions;
2. The service was for not less than 90 consecutive days (or the discharge or release was based on a service connected injury or illness prior to completion of the minimum period of service), and;
3. The disability is service related.

Submit the letter with the application. If you need further assistance, contact ODVA at 1-800-692-9666 or your County Veteran Service Officer.

Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates

 Military Veteran Recognition License Plate Program

For $10 every two years, an eligible veteran may register a Veteran Recognition Plate with Military Insignia or Blank Veteran Recognition Plate. A variety of license plates relating to military service. A portion of the fees from the “VETERAN” plate helps support the Oregon Veterans’ Home, a 151-bed, Medicare/Medicaid certified, skilled-nursing care facility, located in The Dalles.

 

The veteran must provide proof of military service and/or proof of award of a military related medal. To obtain a “VETERAN” license plate take your DD-214 to your local DMV Office. License plates include Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Medals available include; Congressional Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Air Force Cross, World War II Victory, Korea Service, Vietnam Service, Southwest Asia Service, Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign and Global War on Terror.

 

Veteran recognition plates may be issued to qualifying veterans with proof of military service in the form of a DD-214 or DD-215. Visit the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.

Application for Veteran License Plates

 Educational Aid

The state of Oregon provides $150 per month for 36 months for a total of $5,600 for full-time college studies. Part-time students may recieve $100 per month for 36 months for a total of $3,600 for college studies. Benefits are paid for classroom instruction, home study courses, and for vocational training from an accredited educational institution.

Learn more about Education Benefits

 Unemployment Compensation
Veterans who do not begin civilian employment immediately after leaving military service may receive weekly unemployment compensation for a limited time. The purpose of Training Unemployment Insurance (TUI) is to allow eligible dislocated workers to attend school and receive unemployment insurance benefits at the same time so that they can continue to care for their families and obtain employment. The amount and duration of payments are determined by the Oregon Employment Department, http://www.employment.oregon.gov
 
Oregon Employment Department
1-800-237-3710
503-947-1394
www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/VETS
 
 Disabled Veterans' and Local Employment Representatives
Veterans can find employment information, education and training opportunities, job counseling, job search workshops, and resume preparation assistance at state Workforce Career or One-Stop Centers. These offices also have specialists to help disabled veterans find employment. Disabled Veterans´ Outreach Program Specialists (DVOP) and Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) assist Veterans' in applying for Federal, State, Local Government and private sector employment.

Find Your Vet Rep

Veterans' Preference Points
Since the time of the Civil War, Veterans of the Armed Forces have been given some degree of preference in appointments to government jobs. Recognizing that sacrifices are made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking employment from being penalized because of the time spent in military service.

Learn More About Veteran Employment Laws

 Hunting and Fishing Licenses (Permanent Combination License)
A free hunting and angling license for disabled war veterans rated at 25% or more with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veteran must be an Oregon resident for at least six months.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

3406 Cherry Ave. NE

Salem, OR 97303
(503) 947-6101

Application requires proof in the form of a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must state the veterans service-connected disability percentage. Call 1-800-827-1000 to order your letter.

Application for Hunting and Fishing License

 Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit
Available to disabled veterans rated at 65% or more with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The disabilities permit is not a license or tag. Veterans must also obtain a Permanent Combination License. Application requires proof in the form of a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must state the veterans service-connected disability percentage. Call 1-800-827-1000 to order your letter. The letter should be submitted with the Department of Fish and Wildlife Application Form

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
3406 Cherry Ave. NE
Salem, OR 97303
(503) 947-6101

 Emergency Financial Assistance Program
Download the Application
The Oregon Veterans' Emergency Financial Assistance Program (OVEFAP) program is for veterans and their immediate family (spouse, unremarried surviving spouse, child, or stepchild) 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; and
• Legal assistance.
  

 Small Busines Repair Loan
For more information call 1-800-692-9666. The Oregon Veterans’ Small Business Repair Loan is a zero-percent loan intended to help recently returning servicemembers recover their businesses that had suffered a setback during their deployments. Veterans can apply for up to $20,000 if they are the majority owner of their business.
 

 Property Tax Exemption for Disabled War Veterans
The exemption is a portion of the value from property tax for veterans with disabilities of 40 percent or more. If you are a disabled war 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.

http://egov.oregon.gov/DOR/PTD/docs/303-086.pdf

 Documents

Free recording and certified copies of public records for veteran-related purposes, including birth, marriage, death, and divorce decrees. Contact your local County Recorders Office.

 Oregon Veterans’ Home
A skilled nursing care facility for Oregon veterans, their spouses or surviving spouses, and parents all of whose children died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The 151-bed long-term care facility provides skilled nursing, Alzheimers and other dementia, and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care. The Oregon Veterans´ Home is a Medicare and Medicaid certified facility. Toll free information number 1-800-846-8460.

Learn more about the Oregon Veterans' Home

High School Diploma
All Oregon school districts may issue High School diplomas under ORS 332.114 to veterans who did not graduate from a high school because they were serving in a war with the U.S. Armed Forces. High School diplomas can also be issued to a representative of a deceased veteran.

Learn more through the Oregon Department of Education

 Conservatorship
ODVA provides court-ordered Estate Management for certain veterans and their
dependents. Managing the financial affairs of these protected persons helps meet their current and future needs. Most of our clients have disabilities such as schizophrenia, head injury, and Alzheimer’s disease that can negatively affect judgement and reasoning abilities. They are also easy targets for unscrupulous people who take advantage of them financially.

Conservatorship