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. The wide array of programs and services are provided by a grateful nation and state.
 
Oregon State Benefits Checklist
 
 Small Busines Repair Loan
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. For more information call 1-800-692-9666.
 
ORVET Home Loan
ODVA offers a state veterans' home loan that is an additional and distinctively separate benefit from the USDVA (Federal VA) Home Loan Guaranty Program. The maximum loan amount for honorably discharged veterans is presently $417,000 (effective January 2, 2006).

www.oregon.gov/ODVA/HOMELOANS

Interest rates generally run about one percent below market — call 1-888-673-8387 to get a rate quote and request an application packet. 
 
All loans are made at fixed rates and veterans may choose up to a maximum loan term of 30 years. In some cases we can loan up to 100 percent of the appraised property value.
 
Disabled War Veterans Property Tax Exemption
ORS 307.250 grants an exemption to any qualified disabled war veteran. You must have been a member of and discharged or released under honorable conditions from the U.S. Armed Forces. You must have completed a minimum period of service. You must also be certified as having disabilities of 40 percent or more.
 
Complete a Disabled War Veteran Exemption Claim form (150-303-086). File the application form with the county assessor on or before April 1, to claim a property tax exemption on your primary residence for the following tax year, beginning July 1. Attach the DD-214 or other military-issued documentation that shows the deceased war veteran was discharged or released from the military under honorable conditions and shows their period of active service.
 

 Home Improvement Loans
Available with no loan fee. Minimal costs include escrow closing and title fees. The Department must be the first lien holder on all loans issued. Terms, conditions, and eligible improvements relating to the Home Improvement Loan are contained in ORS 406 and 407.

Learn More about Home Improvement Loans

License Plates - Military Veteran Recognition
For $10 every two years, an eligible veteran may register a Veteran Recognition Plate with Military Insignia or Blank Veteran Recognition Plate. The veteran must provide proof of military service and/or proof of award of a military related medal. 

Application for Veteran Recognition Plates

Service-related medals and branch of service insignias: (Click to view):

• Congressional Medal of Honor
• Purple Heart
• Bronze Star
• Navy Cross
• Distinguished Service Cross
• Silver Star
• Air Force Cross
• Afghanistan Campaign
• Iraq Campaign
• Global War on Terror
• Southwest Asia Service
• Vietnam Service
• Korea Service
• World War II Victory
• Army
• Marines
• Navy
• Air Force
• Coast Guard

 

Veteran Recognition plates with service related medals can only be issued to individuals that were awarded that medal. This proof must be provided in the form of a DD214 or DD215.
 
 Service-Connected Disabled Veterans License Plates
Issued to honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have a service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. You must provide proof that you are a disabled veteran and 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. One time permanent motor vehicle registration fee. No additional fees other than regular plate fees or replacement plate fees.

Application for Service-Connected Disabled Veterans

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. The letter must certify:

• Service members discharged or released under honorable conditions;
• 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;
• The disability is service related.

Disabled Veteran License Plates

 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
Main Office 1-800-237-3710 (Toll Free)
or 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 a Local Vet Employment Rep
 
 Oregon Veterans' Employment Rights
Enforced by the United States Department of Labor, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). USERRA protects all members of the uniformed services from discrimination in employment regardless of whether their uniformed service was in the past, present or future. 

Learn more about the law and access information about specific and general discriminatory practices

 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

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

Oregon State Parks Permits - Special Access Pass for Veterans with Disabilities & Active Military On Leave
Service-connected disabled veterans and U.S. Armed Forces active-duty 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.

Application for Oregon State Parks Permit

 Emergency Financial Assistance Program
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.

Learn more about OVEFAP and download an application

 Oregon Veterans’ Home
Known as "The place where honor lives." the Oregon Veterans' Home is 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

 U.S. Armed Forces Service Records
Help in obtaining free certified copies of public records marriage, death, divorce, and birth records for VA claims purposes. Also note that county clerks will record veterans' discharge papers (DD Form 214) and provide copies of recorded documents free of charge to veterans and next of kin.

More information about Requesting Military and Veterans' Records

High School Diploma
All Oregon school districts may issue 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. Diplomas can also be issued to a representative of a deceased veteran.

Learn more through the Oregon Department of Education

 Educational Aid

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

Learn more about Education Benefits

 Oregon Conservatorship Program
Estate and financial management program for certain veterans, dependents and survivors. 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.

Learn more about the Conservatorship program

 Burial and End of Life

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a government headstone or marker.

Oregon Military Funeral Honors Program

A burial allowance (if receiving or entitled to receive USDVA benefits at time of death), burial flag, grave marker and, if desired, burial in a national cemetary.

Burial Flags

Veterans and family members are also eligible for Burial At Sea. Anyone desiring burial at sea should indicate that preference in writing (in a will or other legal document).

Burial At Sea Program