Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

What Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs does

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is a state government agency headquartered in Olympia, Washington, that administers benefits, counseling, housing, cemetery, and advocacy services for Washington veterans, service members, and their families. Operating under statutory authority codified in RCW 43.60A, the agency serves an addressable population of approximately 502,000 veterans, 65,000 active-duty service members, and over 2 million military and veteran family members statewide. Core service lines include Veterans Benefits Services (apprenticeships, education, employment, housing, tax exemptions), Counseling and Wellness (PTSD/TBI programs, SSG Fox community-based suicide prevention, Veterans Conservation Corps), four State Veterans Homes providing skilled nursing care (Port Orchard, Orting, Spokane, Walla Walla), a State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, veteran-owned business certification, license plates, and targeted programs for women, LGBTQ+, and tribal veterans.

WDVA is funded exclusively through Washington State appropriations and federal grants rather than commercial revenue; services are provided free of charge to eligible veterans and their families. Its go-to-market relies on direct government-to-person outreach via GovDelivery email, a multi-platform social media presence (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, Bluesky), the dva.wa.gov website, a podcast, community resource fairs, and a partner channel network including County Veterans Offices, Veteran Service Organizations (DAV, VFW, American Legion), and Tribal Veterans Programs. Specialized advisory committees — VAAC, WVAC, WSMTRC, VLC — provide community input and policy guidance. The agency's competitive position rests on its exclusive statutory mandate, an inclusive Definition of Veteran (SSHB 2014) that broadens eligibility beyond federal norms, and embedded relationships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and SAMHSA through the Governor's Challenge suicide prevention initiative.

Name

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

Legal name

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs

Website

https://dva.wa.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs is a state government agency that administers benefits, counseling, housing, skilled nursing, and cemetery services to approximately 502,000 veterans, service members, and their families in Washington State under statutory authority RCW 43.60A.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Veterans Services

NAICS

Administration of Veterans' Affairs (92314), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Home Health Care Services (62161)

SIC

Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterans/Military Hospitals & Federal Health Systems (HLAFAAAH), Veterans & Military Family Benefits Administration (BPAIAKAI)

Keywords

• Veterans benefits services
• Veterans counseling wellness
• State veterans homes
• Veterans cemetery services
• Military transition support

Headquarters

HQ city

Olympia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) delivers state-administered veterans benefits, claims assistance, counseling and wellness programs (including PTSD, TBI, and suicide prevention), skilled nursing care through four State Veterans Homes, cemetery services at the State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, transitional housing, veteran-owned business support, license plates, and dedicated programs for women veterans, LGBTQ+ veterans, and military families. Services are provided free of charge to eligible veterans and their families.

Product overview

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is a state government agency that does not operate a single unified product but rather provides a comprehensive portfolio of services organized around veterans' needs. The core offerings include Veterans Benefits Services (covering apprenticeship, education, employment, housing, tax exemptions, and records), Counseling & Wellness Services (including PTSD/trauma programs, suicide prevention, TBI services, and the Veterans Conservation Corps), State Veterans Homes (residential care at four locations), Veteran-Owned Business Services, Cemetery Services, Claims Assistance, Financial Assistance, and License Plates. Specialized programs target Women Veterans, LGBTQ+ Veterans, Military Spouses and Families, and Suicide Prevention. Advisory committees including VAAC, WVAC, WSMTRC, and VLC provide governance and advocacy. Resources include podcasts, videos, statistics, and educational materials. The agency operates multiple State Veterans Homes in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla, plus a State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Veterans Benefits Services Comprehensive state veterans benefits program covering apprenticeship, education and training, employment, housing resources, free or reduced rate passes and tax exemptions, records management, reentry/veterans treatment court, estate management, and state service shared leave. For eligible Washington veterans and their families.
• Counseling and Wellness Services Counseling and wellness services including find-a-counselor, PTSD/war trauma program, suicide prevention and support (SSG Fox program), traumatic brain injury services, Veterans Conservation Corps, internships, Veterans Training Support Center, and service/companion animal support. For eligible Washington veterans.
• State Veterans Homes Skilled nursing and residential care for eligible veterans at four locations: Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard (Retsil), Spokane Veterans Home, and Walla Walla Veterans Home, plus a Transitional Housing Program.
• Veteran-Owned Business Services Certification and support for veteran-owned businesses in Washington, including VOB decal, Linked Deposit Program, business search, and state agency reporting requirements. For certified veteran-owned businesses seeking state procurement opportunities.
• Veterans Cemetery Services Burial services and cemetery events at the State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington, for eligible veterans and their families, including donation support.
• Claims Assistance Assistance navigating and filing for state and federal veterans benefits claims. For eligible Washington veterans and their families.
• Veterans License Plates Specialty vehicle license plates recognizing military service, including Armed Forces plates supporting military branches and themed veterans plates, in partnership with the Washington Department of Licensing.
• Transitional Housing Program Housing program providing transitional housing with case management and support services for eligible Washington veterans experiencing housing instability.
• Women Veterans Program Programs and resources supporting women veterans in Washington, including benefit navigation and the Women Veterans Advisory Committee (WVAC). For women veterans requiring gender-specific outreach and equitable access to services.
• LGBTQ+ Veterans Program Dedicated resources and community support for LGBTQ+ veterans, including inclusive criteria for state benefits eligibility under SSHB 2014, including veterans separated with less than honorable characterizations of service due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
• Suicide Prevention Program Suicide prevention program focused on Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families (SMVF), with priority areas including identifying and screening SMVF, promoting connectedness, and increasing lethal means safety (e.g., distribution of more than 3,100 safe storage devices in 2024).
• Veterans Conservation Corps Employment and training program providing environmental conservation work opportunities for eligible Washington veterans.
• Veteran and Military Spouses and Families Services Support services and benefit navigation for spouses and family members of veterans and active duty service members.
• Financial Assistance State financial assistance programs for eligible Washington veterans and their families.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Path With ArtminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Community partner for the Clothing Swap & Upcycling Workshop event at the Minority Vets Community Center, donating clothes for the clothing swap portion of the event.
• Trans-Wa Community ClosetminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Community partner donating clothes for the Clothing Swap & Upcycling Workshop event serving veterans and their families.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families (SMVF) is a partnership between state governors, SAMHSA, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The initiative unites all 50 states and five territories in implementing comprehensive suicide prevention strategies. WDVA Director David Puente Jr. and VA officials collaborate on the 'No Wrong Door' approach for Veterans in need of care.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020SAMHSA partners with state governors and the VA through the Governor's Challenge initiative to prevent suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families (SMVF). The public health approach incorporates community partnerships with various state and federal agencies implementing best practices for reducing deaths by suicide.
• Washington Department of LicensingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Armed Forces license plates and the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline license plate emblems. Proceeds from the 988 emblem purchases benefit SMVF suicide prevention efforts.
• County Veterans OfficescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of County Veterans Offices across Washington State providing localized veterans benefits assistance and claims processing in partnership with WDVA.
• Veteran Service OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with organizations including DAV, VFW, American Legion, and other VSOs for collaborative claims assistance and veteran advocacy.
• Tribal Veterans ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Tribal Veterans Programs including the Neah Bay Veterans Post serving Native American veterans and their families.
• Governor's Executive Orders 13-01, 19-01, 21-01coreOthersExecutive orders establishing the Washington Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) and veteran employment support across state government agencies. VERG exists to help integrate veterans, service members, and spouses in state employment.
• Minority Vets Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center location partnership hosting veteran services and events including the Clothing Swap & Upcycling Workshop.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet): California's state agency administering veterans benefits, operating state veterans homes, and providing claims assistance. Most structurally comparable to WDVA given its similar portfolio of homes, benefits, and cemetery services, but operating at much larger scale in a different state.
• Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs: Neighboring state agency delivering veterans benefits, a state veterans home, and cemetery services. Highly comparable operating model and shared regional veteran population with WDVA, but serves Oregon exclusively.
• Texas Veterans Commission: Texas state agency providing benefits claims assistance, outreach, and mental health programs. Comparable to WDVA's benefits and counseling services but operates in a different geography with a substantially larger veteran population.
• Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs: State agency operating multiple state veterans homes and providing benefits/cemetery services to Florida veterans. Operates a portfolio very similar to WDVA's State Veterans Homes plus cemetery, but in a different geography with different demographics.
• New York State Division of Veterans' Services: New York's state veterans services agency providing benefits navigation, claims assistance, and outreach. Comparable to WDVA's benefits and advocacy functions but operates on the East Coast with no direct geographic overlap.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Federal agency administering the largest integrated healthcare, benefits, and cemetery system for U.S. veterans. Operates broadly across the same domains as WDVA (healthcare, benefits, cemetery, claims) but at national scale, and functions as WDVA's core strategic partner in the Governor's Challenge.
• Veterans Health Administration (VHA): Federal healthcare arm of the U.S. VA operating hospitals, clinics, and long-term care for veterans. Overlaps with WDVA's State Veterans Homes skilled-nursing and counseling services but at vastly larger national scale and with federal funding.

Others

• Disabled American Veterans (DAV): National nonprofit providing free claims assistance and advocacy for disabled veterans. Operates as a formal partner channel for WDVA claims assistance and serves the same target customer base with overlapping claims navigation services.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): National veterans service organization offering claims assistance, benefits navigation, and advocacy. Listed as a WDVA partner channel; comparable in service focus (claims assistance, advocacy) but operates as a nonprofit rather than a government agency.
• American Legion: Largest U.S. wartime veterans organization providing claims assistance, benefits navigation, and community programs. Functions as a WDVA ecosystem partner serving overlapping veteran customers with similar benefits-navigation offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WDVA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WAVeteransAffairs
• Facebookfacebook.com/wsdva
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/washington-state-department-of-veterans-affairs-recruiting
• Instagraminstagram.com/wsdva

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs