Texas Veteran Benefits
16 state benefits for veterans in Texas.
Property Tax
View all Property Tax in Texas →Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Texas offers a property tax exemption that scales with VA disability rating. Partial exemptions apply to veterans rated 10% or higher, and veterans rated 100% disabled or determined individually unemployable (and certain surviving spouses) may receive a total exemption on their residence homestead.
Eligibility: Veterans with a 10%+ VA service-connected disability qualify for a graduated exemption of assessed value ($5,000 at 10-29%, $7,500 at 30-49%, $10,000 at 50-69%, $12,000 at 70-99%). Veterans rated 100% disabled or individually unemployable qualify for a total residence homestead exemption (Tax Code Sec. 11.131).
Estimated value: $5,000-$12,000 off assessed value for partial ratings; 100% (total) exemption of residence homestead value for 100%/IU veterans
How to apply: File the Application for Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption (or Residence Homestead Exemption for the 100% total exemption) with your county appraisal district, along with VA disability documentation.
100% Disabled Veteran Total Homestead Exemption
Under Tax Code Section 11.131, veterans awarded 100% VA disability compensation (due to a 100% rating or individual unemployability) receive an exemption of the total appraised value of their residence homestead, effectively eliminating property tax on their home.
Eligibility: Own and occupy the home as your residence homestead and receive 100% VA disability compensation for a service-connected disability (100% rating or individual unemployability). Surviving spouses who have not remarried may continue or transfer the exemption.
Estimated value: Exemption of 100% of the residence homestead's appraised value (full elimination of homestead property tax)
How to apply: File the Application for Residence Homestead Exemption with your county appraisal district, with VA award documentation. You may file up to five years after the tax delinquency date.
Education
View all Education in Texas →Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption
Up to 150 credit hours of tuition and most fee exemptions at Texas public colleges and universities for eligible veterans.
Eligibility: Texas resident (or entered service in Texas) at time of entry; honorable discharge; served at least 181 days of active duty; and have exhausted federal (Post-9/11 / Montgomery GI Bill) education benefits dedicated to tuition and fees.
Estimated value: Up to 150 credit hours of tuition and fee exemption (thousands of dollars per year)
How to apply: Apply through the financial aid or veterans services office at your Texas public institution, submitting the TVC-ED-1 application and supporting documents.
Hazlewood Legacy Program (Transfer to Dependents)
The Hazlewood Legacy Act lets an eligible veteran transfer unused Hazlewood Act hours (up to 150 credit hours) to one dependent child for tuition and fee exemption at Texas public institutions.
Eligibility: Veteran must qualify for the Hazlewood Act; the child must be a Texas resident, 25 years old or younger on the first day of the term, and make satisfactory academic progress. Only one child may use the benefit at a time, and unused hours may be reassigned to another child.
Estimated value: Up to 150 transferred credit hours of tuition and fee exemption for a dependent child
How to apply: The veteran designates the child and submits the Hazlewood Legacy application (TVC-ED-1) and supporting documents to the child's Texas public institution's veterans/financial aid office.
Employment
View all Employment in Texas →Veterans Employment Preference
Texas provides a hiring (veteran's) employment preference for veterans and certain spouses and surviving spouses when applying for State of Texas agency employment.
Eligibility: Veteran, or a qualifying surviving spouse, spouse of a disabled veteran, or orphan of a veteran, applying for State of Texas positions (Gov. Code Ch. 657).
Estimated value: Hiring preference and interview guarantees for qualified applicants to State of Texas jobs
How to apply: Claim the veteran's employment preference when applying for State of Texas positions and provide supporting documentation (e.g., DD-214).
TVC Veterans Employment Services
The Texas Veterans Commission Veterans Employment Services (TVC-VES) provides free job placement, career counseling, resume and interview assistance, and employer connections for veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses.
Eligibility: Veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses. Priority intensive services are available to veterans with significant barriers to employment.
Estimated value: Free one-on-one employment services (job matching, resume help, career coaching)
How to apply: Visit a Texas Workforce Solutions center to meet with a Veterans Career Advisor, or find services online through the Texas Veterans Commission.
Recreation/Hunting & Fishing
View all Recreation/Hunting & Fishing in Texas →Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting & Fishing License
TPWD offers a free Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package to qualifying disabled veterans.
Eligibility: VA service-connected disability of 50% or more, or loss of use of a lower extremity due to service-connected injury.
Estimated value: Free Super Combo license (approximately $68 value annually)
How to apply: Apply by mail to TPWD with a VA disability award letter, or present documentation at a TPWD license retailer or office.
Disabled Veterans Parklands Passport
The Parklands Passport gives U.S. veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability free entry to Texas state parks, including one companion.
Eligibility: U.S. veteran with a 60% or greater service-connected disability, or loss of use of a lower extremity, as certified by the VA. The pass also admits one companion.
Estimated value: Free state park entry (waives per-person daily entrance fees) for the veteran and one companion
How to apply: Present a VA disability award letter (documenting 60%+ or loss of lower extremity) at any Texas state park headquarters to receive the passport.
Vehicle/DMV
View all Vehicle/DMV in Texas →Disabled Veteran & Specialty License Plates
Texas DMV offers Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates and many other military/veteran specialty plates, with registration fees waived on one qualifying vehicle.
Eligibility: At least 50% VA service-connected disability, or 40% due to amputation of a lower extremity, and receiving VA compensation. One vehicle qualifies for the $3 DV plate with other registration fees waived; additional vehicles pay standard fees.
Estimated value: Registration fees waived on one vehicle (only the $3 plate fee applies); includes automatic TxDOT toll discount
How to apply: Submit Form VTR-615 (Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placard) with VA documentation to the Texas DMV or your county tax assessor-collector.
No-Fee Driver License & ID Card for Disabled Veterans
The Texas Department of Public Safety waives the fee for original, renewal, and duplicate driver licenses and ID cards for qualifying disabled veterans, and adds the Veteran designation at no charge.
Eligibility: Veteran with a 60% or greater VA service-connected disability who receives compensation from the federal government and was honorably discharged. Does not apply to commercial driver licenses.
Estimated value: Full waiver of DL/ID card fees (approximately $33 for a standard 8-year license)
How to apply: Present a VA disability status letter (or branch-of-service certification) at a Texas DPS driver license office, or include it with a mail renewal invitation.
Healthcare
View all Healthcare in Texas →Texas State Veterans Homes
The Veterans Land Board operates skilled-nursing Texas State Veterans Homes offering long-term nursing care at below-average, VA-subsidized daily rates, including medications for veterans.
Eligibility: VA-recognized eligible veteran (not dishonorably discharged) age 18+ who requires long-term nursing care and is a Texas resident (at application, at entry into service, or one year continuous residency). Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents may also qualify. Veterans rated 70%+ service-connected disabled can generally stay at no cost.
Estimated value: VA-subsidized daily rates well below market; free care for veterans with a 70%+ service-connected disability
How to apply: Contact a Texas State Veterans Home directly or the Texas General Land Office / Veterans Land Board (1-800-252-8387) to apply for admission.
Financial
View all Financial in Texas →VLB Home Improvement Loan Program
The Veterans Land Board provides below-market interest rate loans to qualified Texas veterans for repairs and improvements to their existing homes.
Eligibility: Texas veterans and active-duty military members meeting VLB eligibility, for improvements to an existing primary residence. Loans available up to $50,000 with fixed-rate terms.
Estimated value: Home improvement loans up to $50,000 at below-market fixed rates
How to apply: Apply through a VLB-participating lender or the Texas General Land Office / Veterans Land Board, or call 1-800-252-8387.
TVC Claims Representation & Counseling
The Texas Veterans Commission is the state's designated agency to represent Texas veterans before the VA, providing free assistance with disability compensation claims and appeals.
Eligibility: Texas veterans, their dependents, and survivors in matters pertaining to VA disability benefits, compensation, pension, and appeals. All services are free.
Estimated value: Free accredited claims representation (can significantly increase awarded VA compensation)
How to apply: Book an appointment with a TVC Claims Benefit Advisor online, call 1-800-252-8387, or visit a TVC counselor located in VA regional offices, medical facilities, and clinics statewide.
Housing
View all Housing in Texas →VLB Veterans Land Loan Program
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers below-market fixed-rate loans to help Texas veterans and military members purchase land, the only program of its kind in the nation.
Eligibility: Texas veterans and active military members meeting VLB eligibility requirements. Financing available on tracts up to $200,000 (up to $275,000 for two eligible veteran spouses) with a minimum 5% down payment and a 30-year term.
Estimated value: Land loans up to $200,000 ($275,000 for eligible veteran couples) at below-market fixed rates with 5% down
How to apply: Apply through the Texas General Land Office / Veterans Land Board or contact the Texas Veterans Call Center at 1-800-252-8387.
VLB Veterans Home Loan Program
The Veterans Land Board offers below-market interest rate home loans to eligible Texas veterans and military members for purchasing a primary residence.
Eligibility: Texas veterans and active-duty military members meeting VLB eligibility; the loan must be for a primary residence in Texas. Veterans with a VA disability rating of 30% or more may qualify for a discounted interest rate.
Estimated value: Below-market fixed-rate mortgage financing (with an added rate discount for 30%+ disabled veterans)
How to apply: Apply through a VLB-participating lender, or start at the Texas General Land Office / Veterans Land Board, or call 1-800-252-8387.
Texas State Veterans Cemeteries Burial Benefit
The Veterans Land Board provides free burial with full military honors at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, and Mission.
Eligibility: Same eligibility as a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs national cemetery; benefit extends to eligible veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents. There is no charge for interment.
Estimated value: No-cost interment including grave plot, opening/closing, grave liner, headstone/marker, and military honors
How to apply: Pre-register or arrange interment through the Texas General Land Office / Veterans Land Board using the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries forms, or call 1-800-252-8387.