Oregon VA Home Loan

Oregon Veteran Benefits

As a servicemember or veteran in Oregon, you are likely eligible for multiple military benefits, which can help with your education, employment, housing, taxes, and more. Check out some of the available benefits for veterans in Oregon.

Veteran Home Loans

Many military servicemembers are stationed in Oregon at the military bases shown in the graphic below:


You might be eligible for Oregon veteran loans if you're stationed in the Beaver State or you're a veteran there. You can apply for a VA loan or the state's own veteran mortgage program.

VA Loans

You can qualify for VA loans in Oregon as either a veteran or current servicemember. Use a VA loan to:

  • Buy a home
  • Refinance a mortgage
  • Consolidate debts
  • And more

Since VA loans are a privilege available to the men and women who have served our country, they offer many advantages over a conventional mortgage. Some of these perks include:

  • No-money-down home purchasing
  • Ability to qualify with any credit score
  • Very competitive interest rates and fees
  • No private mortgage insurance (PMI) payment, because of the VA guaranty

The VA guarantees your loan, but private lenders are the ones who actually offer it. That's why it's important to get several loan quotes from VA-approved private lenders. Doing so will allow you to pick the interest rate, loan amount, and terms that work best for you.

If you have questions about VA loans or want to get a quote, call Low VA Rates toll-free at 866-569-8272, or use our easy, quick online application any time. Our focus is on VA loans, so we are experts in both the VA loan process and the unique needs of those who have served in our military.

ODVA Home Loan Program

The State of Oregon offers its own low-interest home mortgages for veterans. This benefit can be used to purchase single family homes that the owner lives in as a primary residence. To be eligible, an applicant must have served on active duty and be one of the following:

  • An honorably discharged veteran who served a specific number of days (depending on when the veteran served, whether that service was in active duty or combat zone, and whether the veteran has disabilities or not)
  • An honorably discharged veteran who received a campaign, combat, or expeditionary medal or ribbon
  • The recipient of a non-service-connected VA pension

Contact the ODVA for help getting started. You can also see further eligibility details and download the application form at the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) Eligibility web page.

Veteran Housing Benefits

Oregon Veterans' Homes

Veterans, their spouses, and their surviving parents may be eligible for admission to skilled nursing facilities. Oregon Veterans' Homes offers care to eligible individuals, including:

  • Honorably discharged veterans
  • Spouses or surviving spouses of veterans
  • Gold Star Parents, or parents who had their child die in service

Additionally, an eligible individual must:

  • Pay any necessary resident portion of care costs
  • Be determined by a doctor to have a need for skilled nursing care
  • Have care needs within what the facility is equipped to meet
  • Not have violent behaviors that could endanger others or themselves

Cost varies depending on the type of applicant. Spouses pay slightly more than veterans, while both have an additional charge for memory care.

There are two locations for Oregon Veterans' Homes:

For for more detailed cost and admission information or to download an application, visit the Admissions & Cost page on the Dalles or Lebanon facility pages.

Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Servicemembers

Exemptions for Veterans with Disabilities or Surviving Spouses

If you're an Oregon veteran with disabilities or a surviving spouse/registered partner, you may qualify to exempt a portion of your home's value from property taxes. The amount you can receive for the exemption is substantial, equaling thousands of dollars and rising by 3% annually. You may be eligible if:

  • You're a veteran with a certified disability of at least 40%
  • You're the surviving spouse/partner of a veteran (the veteran spouse/partner does not need to have been disabled)
  • Your total gross income in the last year was not over the limit, which is 185% of the poverty guidelines

Apply for this exemption through your county assessor, or by completing and following the instructions on the Disabled Veteran or Surviving Spouse Exemption Claim. On the form, you'll also find more about eligibility requirements and other details.

Exemptions for Active Duty Servicemembers

Additionally, active duty servicemembers in Oregon may be eligible for a property tax exemption as well. You may qualify if you are:

  • On active duty (including if you're in the Guard or Reserves)
  • An Oregon resident who lives in the home as a primary residence
  • Serving for over 178 consecutive days under Title 10 status or EMAC deployment (a regular tour of duty or regular active enlistment does not qualify).

Apply for the active duty exemption by filling out and following the instructions on the Oregon Active Duty Military Service Member's Exemption Claim form. Included on the form is more information about exemption requirements, amounts, and other details.

Veteran Education & Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

Oregon runs several programs to help veterans and their families receive a high quality education. These benefits could help you lower your tuition, use your education benefits, or get college credit for your military service.

College Credit for Military Training

Oregon's community colleges and universities participate in a program to help veterans get academic credit for some of their military training and education as they pursue degrees. This could allow you to progress more quickly, saving you time and money.

To get started, get your transcript from your military branch and submit it to the institution you're attending or applying to.

Nonresident Veteran In-State Tuition

If you've recently moved to Oregon and are a veteran looking to pursue an undergraduate degree at an in-state public institution, you can now pay the same (lower) tuition rate that permanent residents pay—even if you haven't officially become a permanent resident yet.

Your dependents may also qualify, as long as you've transferred your education benefits to them. Surviving children of veterans who died during active duty may also qualify.

A different tuition benefit applies if you're a nonresident veteran graduate student studying in Oregon: your out-of-state tuition can be lowered after you've used your VA education and Gift Aid benefits.

To learn more about using either benefit, you can contact the financial aid or veterans' service office of your higher education institution.

Voyager Tuition Assistance Program (for Guard and Reserves)

This tuition assistance program helps pay for undergraduate degree costs for veterans of the Guard and Reserves who served on active duty in a combat area on September 11, 2001 or after. It helps to pay for any costs that your military tuition benefits don't cover.  Even if you can't get federal tuition benefits, you may still qualify—as long as you can provide evidence that you're ineligible for federal assistance.

This program can pay for four or five years of an undergraduate program at which you're pursuing your first bachelor's degree, allowing for 15 credits beyond what is necessary to graduate. It only applies to the veteran and cannot be applied to dependents or spouses.

To learn more about the program, contact the financial services office at your school.

On-the-Job Training Program

If you have military education benefits to use in Oregon, you can choose to use them in an Oregon On-the-Job Training (OTJ) program, which can train you for manufacturing, construction, industrial, or related trades. If you're accepted, you'll be paid while learning and working.

The VA works with a business or office to approve you for the program, and once approved, you can receive money while in your place of employment. If eligible, you'll receive a newcomer base pay with an extra amount per month coming from your GI Bill. The amount you receive is based on your zip code; for example, Portland residents can receive $2,200 extra per month.

Even if the employer or trade you are looking for has not previously had employees use GI Bill benefits, they can become approved to do so. They must work with an Education Liaison Representative and the ODVA to get certified. Many types of businesses can become certified. Search for approved OTJ businesses or, if you are already working, speak with your employer to see if they're certified or start the process of becoming certified.

Contact your local VSO or the ODVA with any questions.

Campus Veterans Services

Many of Oregon's institutions of higher learning have opened offices on their campuses to assist veterans. Contact yours for help with anything you're looking for that is related to your service, benefits, etc.

Contact the OPRD with any questions.

Employment Benefits

Because moving from military to civilian employment can be difficult for many veterans, most states offer some kind of job assistance to those who have served in the military. Oregon provides a number of different options to help you get started.

Resources for Veterans' Employment Search

Two of the most helpful benefits for veterans looking for employment in Oregon are:

Veterans' Preference in Public Job Hiring

If you apply for a government job in Oregon, you should, according to the law, receive veterans' preference. The preference doesn't guarantee you the job, but it'll guarantee you an interview if you meet certain conditions.

The preference also adds five points to your passing test/screening/application score (with ten points added for veterans with disabilities); or, in cases where a point system is not used for hiring, the public employer must create a system that allows veterans and veterans with disabilities to receive special consideration.

To receive preference, you must:

  • Be an honorably discharged veteran or veteran with disabilities
  • Pass any required exam or civil service test for the position
  • Meet the qualifications for the position
  • Successfully make it through an initial screening of applicants

If you and a non-veteran are competing and have the same score after the preference points are added (or if your score is higher), the job should go to you. If you feel like you haven't received the proper lawful preference on a job application with a government job, fill out the Civil Rights Division questionnaire.

Professional Licensing for Military Experience

Many veterans have had military training that applies to professional pursuits. Rather than repeating similar training so you can qualify for a license in the civilian workforce, you may be able to gain your credentials more quickly because of Oregon House Bill 4063.

The law says that some of Oregon's professional licensing boards and agencies must use military experience and training to satisfy certain requirements for certification, licensure, or registration. Extra requirements may still apply to certain of these fields, but the option still offers a great opportunity for veterans.

According to the Veteran Benefits Resource Guide, the professions discussed in the bill include: "private security professional, teacher, engineer, land surveyor, psychologist, occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, physician assistant, nursing assistant, denture technology, chiropractor, physical therapist, radiologist, hemodialysis technician, athletic trainer, respiratory care, polysomnographic technologist, pharmacist, pharmacy technician, cosmetologist, mortician, embalmer, polygraph examiner, private investigator, and commercial driver" (p. 28).

Contact the ODVA for more information about the benefit and how to get started.

Service-Disabled Veteran Business Certification

If you are a veteran with a service-related disability and you own a business, you may want to consider getting a Service Disabled Veteran (SDV) certification. The certification can offer your firm more opportunities when bidding on government work contracts (and special jurisdiction contracts). Once you have the certification, it won't expire.

To be eligible, your business must be for-profit, registered with the office of Oregon's Secretary of State, and have an income below a certain limit. The business owner must:

  • Own and control at least 51% of the business
  • Be in control of everyday business decisions
  • Have invested capital in the business
  • Be properly licensed
  • Be a lawful US citizen or permanent resident

If you want an SDV certification, get the required documents ready, then register and apply online. You can also request a paper application if you cannot use the online application.

Other Veteran Benefits

Oregon Veterans' Emergency Financial Assistance

The Oregon Veterans' Emergency Financial Assistance program helps veterans, their spouses and unremarried surviving spouses, and their children to pay for emergency financial needs. It is a one-time benefit that can cover expenses such as:

  • Rent
  • Mortgage payments
  • Utilities
  • Home repairs
  • Insurance
  • Emergency medical
  • Emergency dental
  • Emergency transportation

Contact the ODVA for more information or for help filling out the Financial Assistance application.

Additionally, there are many other organizations that can provide emergency relief to veterans and their families. Just a few examples of these include:

  • Salvation Army Home Front War Relief Program
  • American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance
  • Army Emergency Relief
  • Disabled American Veterans Disaster Relief Grants

Look around locally and speak with organizations that focus on veterans to find more options that can support you in a time of need.

 

Specialty Military-Themed License Plates

Veterans, veterans with disabilities, and some family members can get specialty military license plates to display military experience and awards. Some of the plate types offered include:

  • Service or campaign medals
  • Permanent disabled veteran status
  • Your service branch
  • Purple Heart
  • Gold Star Family
  • Other options

Each plate has its own qualifications and may have fees attached. See all the available license plates, requirements, and fees on the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.

Veteran Designation on Oregon Driver's License or ID Card

You can request a veteran designation on your Oregon driver's license or identification card, which can confirm your veteran status in some settings.

To qualify, you must:

  • Have had an honorable discharge
  • Provide the DMV with a copy of your discharge papers
  • Be eligible for a license or ID card in Oregon
  • Pay any applicable fee

Veteran Courts

Oregon veterans facing charges for non-violent offenses may be eligible to go into treatment instead of incarceration. Staff at a veterans' court consider this alternative for veterans with certain charges, mental health challenges, and/or military experiences. Each case is decided individually.

To find out if you're eligible, talk to your nearest veteran service office.

State Park Passes and Refunds

State Park Special Access Pass for Veterans with Disabilities

If you're a veteran with a service-related disability, you can apply for a Special Access Pass to Oregon's State Parks. The Special Access Pass pass provides four years of:

  • Free day-use parking
  • Free use of tent, horse camp, and RV sites (for up to 10 nights in a 30-day period)

If you have a pass but forget to bring it, you can instead apply for a refund with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

State Park Cost Refunds for Active-Duty Servicemembers

If you're an active-duty servicemember on official leave in Oregon, you may get a refund of the fees you paid to enter and/or camp in an Oregon State Park.

Send your receipts, along with a letter with an official letterhead from your commanding officer stating you were on leave, to the OPRD. Your refund request has to arrive within 30 days after you departed the park.

Hunting and Fishing License Benefits

Hunting and fishing license benefits are available to veterans and servicemembers in Oregon. The type of benefit you will receive depends on both your military and resident status:

  • Non-resident Uniformed Servicemembers – Non-resident active servicemembers may be eligible for resident pricing on an annual hunting, angling, or shellfish license.
  • Resident Uniformed Servicemembers – Active servicemembers who are residents of Oregon may be eligible to get big game and bird hunting licenses for half the normal price. And if they apply for a general season tag after the deadline, they're exempt from paying the late fee. Additionally, if you are a resident of Oregon but are stationed out-of-state, you may be able to apply for deer, elk, and bear tags.

Veteran Benefits Assistance

Because of all the details involved, it can be difficult to find, understand, and apply for veteran benefits. If you need help finding or applying for your military benefits, you can request more information through the ODVA's online form or contact your nearest veterans service officer (VSO) to make an appointment to get free, specialized help. Spouses and dependents can receive assistance as well.

You can also contact ODVA to be directed to the resources you need. They work to unite groups working to further veterans' rights and benefits and can help you know where to begin.

Women Veterans

Oregon is a pioneering state in its efforts to meet the unique needs of women veterans. Some of what they offer includes:

  • Military sexual trauma resources
  • A medical study on women veterans health care
  • Support groups and meetings for women veterans

You can see more about these specialized benefits on the ODVA Women Veterans web page, along with the contact information for the state's Women Veterans Coordinator and the VA Women's Program Managers for different regions in Oregon.

About Low VA Rates

We founded Low VA Rates in order serve those who have served our nation. We specialize in helping US military servicemembers and veterans to access their VA loan benefits. We've spent years learning all the different types of VA loans and their intricacies, and we can help you with VA loans in Oregon.

Call Low VA Rates toll-free at 866-569-8272 to get a quote on Oregon veteran loans or to ask any questions about them (possibly from a fellow veteran). You can also check out our simple online application to get started.

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