Texas offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Texas Veterans Homes
Texas boasts nine veterans homes located in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Houston, McAllen, Temple, and Tyler. These residences welcome veterans with honorable discharge status, along with their spouse or unmarried surviving spouse. Additionally, Gold Star parents can qualify if they satisfy the specified age and residency criteria. Fees are determined by individual income levels.
Texas Veteran Financial Benefits
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses receive complete property tax exemption. Veterans rated between 10% and 90% disabled by the VA can benefit from a reduction in their home’s assessed value, ranging from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on their disability percentage. Surviving spouses are also eligible for these benefits. Moreover, some counties provide homestead tax exemptions specifically for veterans.
Free Drivers License for Disabled Veterans
Veterans who possess a service-connected disability rating of at least 60% and have received an honorable discharge are eligible to obtain a Texas driver license or ID card at no cost.
Veteran Home Loans
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) provides home loans for Texas Veterans at generally below-market interest rates, with even lower rates available for individuals with a disability rating of 30% or more. These loans cover home purchases, home improvements, and land purchases. Notably, Texas is currently the sole state offering land loans of up to $150,000, requiring only a 5% down payment and offering 30-year rates (subject to credit approval).
Veterans Home Improvement Program (VHIP)
The VLB provides home improvement loans, extending up to $50,000 with a maximum payoff period of 20 years, or a 10-year payoff for loans ranging from $7,500 to $10,000. Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher are eligible for a reduced interest rate.
These loans can be utilized for alterations, repairs, and enhancements to the veteran’s residence. The improvements must significantly enhance the basic livability or functionality of the property.
Texas Veteran Education Benefits
Hazlewood Act
The Hazlewood Act is a Texas state benefit designed to offer eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children up to 150 hours of tuition-free education at state schools. It’s important to note that this benefit does not cover living expenses, books, or supply fees.
To qualify, the veteran must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Texas resident at the time of entry into military service and currently reside in Texas.
- Have received an honorable discharge.
- Have completed at least 181 days of active duty service.
- Have utilized all federal VA education benefits available to them.
Legacy Act (Child)
Veterans eligible for the Hazlewood Act have the option to transfer unused hours to a child, given specific conditions.
For the child to qualify, they must:
- Be a resident of Texas.
- Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or preceding tax year.
- Be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term.
- Satisfy GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements.
It’s important to note that only one child can utilize Hazlewood Legacy benefits at any given time.
Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child
The spouses and dependent children of eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and Texas National Guard members who died in the line of duty, as a result of service-connected injury or illness, or are missing in action, as well as those who became totally disabled for employability due to a service-related injury or illness, are entitled to each receive 50 credit hours of tuition-free college.
Similar to the standard Hazlewood Act, the veteran must have been a Texas resident upon entering the service.
For a spouse to qualify, they must:
- Not have received any federal VA education benefits.
- Be a resident of Texas.
- Meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements.
For a child to qualify, they must:
- Not have received any federal VA education benefits.
- Be a resident of Texas.
- Meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements. However, this requirement is waived for children of MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased veterans.
Texas Veteran Employment Benefits
Veterans Preference
Veterans who served during wartime receive priority in employment with state agencies or offices, as do widows and children of individuals killed on active duty. State agencies are required to implement veterans’ preference until they achieve a workforce composition of 40% veterans.
Military Time Credit Towards State Retirement
Non-retired veterans who are employed by the state have the opportunity to count their active duty military service towards retirement benefits. This can be achieved by making a payment equivalent to the monthly contribution that an employee would make multiplied by the number of months served on active duty. The maximum allowable purchase is capped at 60 months.
Veteran Entrepreneur Program
The Veteran Entrepreneur Program offers veteran entrepreneurs and small businesses owned by veterans the essential resources required to initiate or expand their ventures. This program provides assistance in various areas, including consultation on business plans, financing options, marketing strategies, and more.
Texas Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License
Disabled veterans with a disability rating of 50% or higher, or those who have lost the use of a foot or leg due to service-related reasons, are eligible to receive a complimentary “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package. Residency in Texas is not a requirement for eligibility.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing License
The “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package is provided free of charge to Texas residents who are currently serving on active duty. Military personnel and their dependents on active duty, regardless of their location, are eligible to purchase a license at the resident rate.
Disabled Veterans State Park Pass
Veterans with a disability rating of 60% or higher or those who have experienced a service-connected loss of lower extremity qualify for complimentary admission to Texas state parks. Residency in Texas is not a prerequisite for eligibility.
Texas Veterans Cemeteries
Texas hosts four state veterans cemeteries located in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, and Mission. Eligibility for burial extends to all Texas veterans, their spouses, and dependent children.
There are no fees associated with the burial of the veteran or their family members.
