Texas Veteran Financial Benefits
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption:
Total property tax exemption for 100% disabled Veterans and their surviving spouses.
- Veterans with 10 – 90% VA disability can get a reduction of their home’s assessed value from $5,000 – $12,000 depending on disability percentage. Surviving spouses also qualify.
- Some counties offer homestead tax exemptions for Veterans.
- Free Drivers License for Disabled Veterans: Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 60% and an honorable discharge can get a Texas driver license or ID card for free.
Veteran Home Loans:
- The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers generally below-market interest rates for home loans for Texas Veterans, lower rates for those who have a disability rating of 30% or more; home improvement and land loans.
- Texas is currently the only state to offer land loans – up to $150,000, with 5% down, and 30-year rates (depending on credit).
Veterans Home Improvement Program (VHIP):
- The VLB offers home improvement loans up to $50,000 for a maximum 20-year payoff or a 10-year payoff for loans of $7,500 – $10,000.
- Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater qualify for a discounted interest rate.
- The loans may be used for alterations, repairs, and improvements to the Veteran’s home. The improvements must substantially protect or improve the basic livability or utility of the property.
Texas Veteran Education Benefits
Hazlewood Act:
This legislation provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition-free college at state schools. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
- The Veteran must have been a Texas resident when they entered the service and live there now, received an honorable discharge, served at least 181 days of active duty, and used up all federal VA education benefits.
Legacy Act (Child):
- Veterans eligible for the Hazlewood Act can assign unused hours to a child under certain conditions.
- The child must be a Texas resident, be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term, and meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements.
- Only one child can use Hazlewood Legacy benefits at a time.
Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child:
- Spouses and dependent children of eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and Texas National Guard who died in the line of duty, as a result of service-connected injury or illness, are missing in action, or who became totally disabled for purposes of employability as a result of a service-related injury or illness are entitled to each receive 50 credit hours tuition-free college.
- Like the normal Hazlewood act, the Veteran must have been a Texas resident when they entered the service.
- A spouse or child must have no federal VA education benefits, be a Texas resident, and meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements.
Texas Veteran Employment Benefits
- Veterans Preference: Wartime Veterans have preference in employment with state agencies or offices, as do widows and children of those killed on active duty.
- Military Time Credit Towards State Retirement: Non-retired Veterans who are state employees can claim their active duty military time toward retirement.
- Veteran Entrepreneur Program: Provides Veteran entrepreneurs and Veteran small businesses consultation with business plans, financing, marketing, and more.
Texas Veteran Recreation Benefits
- Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License: Disabled Veterans with a 50% or greater disability (or who suffered the loss of use of a foot or leg as a result of service) can get a free “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package.
- Active Duty Hunting & Fishing License: The “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package is available at no cost to TX residents on active duty.
- Disabled Veterans State Park Pass: Any Veteran with a 60% or greater disability or a service-connected loss of lower extremity is eligible for free admission to Texas state parks.
Additional Texas Veteran Benefits
Texas Veterans Homes:
- Texas has nine Veterans homes open to Veterans who were not dishonorably discharged and their spouse, or unmarried surviving spouse. Gold Star parents are also eligible provided they meet the age and residency requirements above.
- Costs are based on income.
Texas Veterans Cemeteries:
- Texas has four state Veterans cemeteries where all Texas Veterans, their spouses, and dependent children are eligible for burial.
