Beyond your federal VA disability compensation, Texas offers its own benefits for veterans — property tax, education, employment, vehicle, recreation, veterans home, financial. Here's what Texas veterans can claim, who qualifies, and how to apply.
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Veterans who receive 100% disability compensation from the VA — either via a 100% schedular rating OR a determination of individual unemployability (TDIU) — are exempt from property tax on the TOTAL appraised value of their residence homestead. An unmarried surviving spouse who owned and occupied the home at the veteran's death keeps the exemption (if they move, the exemption is capped at the prior home's last-year dollar amount).
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating from 10% to less than 100% receive a flat dollar reduction off the value of any one property they own (not limited to homestead). Amount scales with rating tier. Veterans age 65+ with at least 10%, the totally blind, or those who lost use of a limb qualify for the top $12,000 amount regardless of tier.
An unmarried surviving spouse of a U.S. armed services member who was killed or fatally injured in the line of duty is entitled to a total property tax exemption on their residence homestead. The exemption transfers (subject to a dollar cap) if the spouse moves to a new homestead, as long as they have not remarried.
Provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition and most fee charges exempted at Texas public colleges/universities. Does NOT cover living expenses, books, or supply fees. Veteran must have entered service in Texas (or been a Texas resident), served at least 181 days active duty, and received an honorable or under-honorable-conditions discharge, and have exhausted federal education benefits. Unused hours can transfer to a dependent child age 25 or younger (Hazlewood Legacy). Spouses/dependents of veterans who are 100% permanent & total service-connected, or who were KIA/MIA/died of service-connected causes, may receive their own 150 hours.
Under Texas Government Code Chapter 657, qualified veterans, surviving spouses of veterans who have not remarried, certain spouses of veterans (where spouse is primary household income and veteran is totally disabled), and orphans of veterans are entitled to a hiring preference over non-veterans for state agency positions. State agencies also maintain a veteran's employment preference interview/hiring framework. No VA disability rating is required for the basic preference.
A qualifying disabled veteran may register ONE vehicle for personal use with all registration fees waived except the plate fee. The fee exemption requires at least a 50% service-connected disability, OR a 40% service-connected disability due to amputation of a lower extremity. The annual fee for the first set of Disabled Veteran plates is $3; additional sets are free. Plates may display the International Symbol of Access. Apply via Form VTR-615 through the county tax office.
Free Super Combo package (hunting + all-water fishing license plus five state endorsements, excluding the reptile/amphibian endorsement) for resident or non-resident disabled veterans. Eligibility: loss of use of a foot or leg, OR a VA disability rating of 50% or more, while receiving federal compensation for the disability. Federal Duck Stamp not included. Available in person only at a license retailer with VA proof of disability rate or a TX driver license with 'Disabled Veteran' designation.
TPWD offers free Texas state park entry passes for veterans. The Disabled Veterans Passport gives free entry to the veteran PLUS a companion, requiring a 60% or more service-connected disability or loss of a lower extremity. A separate free Veterans Passport gives free entry (pass holder only) to any honorably discharged U.S. veteran regardless of disability. A Gold Star Passport covers immediate family of those who died in service. Obtain at any state park with required documentation.
The Texas Veterans Land Board (under the General Land Office) operates Texas State Veterans Homes offering long-term skilled nursing/memory care for veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents at locations including Bonham, Floresville, Houston, Temple, Tyler, Fort Worth, McAllen, Big Spring, El Paso, and Amarillo. Per GLO, eligible veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability may live at the home at no cost to them (the VA per diem covers the cost).
The VLB offers below-market-rate loans to qualified Texas veterans/military members: land loans, home loans, and home improvement loans (up to $50,000, 2-20 year term). Veterans with a VA service-connected disability of 30% or greater qualify for a discounted interest rate (e.g., home improvement base rate was 6.35% with a 5.85% disabled-veteran discounted rate as of the cited GLO page; rates adjust weekly). No down payment required for the home improvement program.
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Texas offers veteran benefits across property tax, education, employment, vehicle, recreation, veterans home, financial. Highlights include 100% Disabled Veteran / P&T Residence Homestead Exemption (total exemption), Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption (tiered, 10-99%), Surviving Spouse of Service Member Killed/Fatally Injured in Line of Duty. Eligibility varies — some benefits require a VA disability rating, 100% P&T status, or combat service.
Veterans who receive 100% disability compensation from the VA — either via a 100% schedular rating OR a determination of individual unemployability (TDIU) — are exempt from property tax on the TOTAL appraised value of their residence homestead. An unmarried surviving spouse who owned and occupied th
Many state benefits are tied to your VA disability rating — the higher your rating, the more you may qualify for. Use the free VA Ready calculator to confirm your combined rating, then check which state benefits you've earned.