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Texas Veteran benefits

23 benefits from Texas for Veterans and their families, on top of what VA gives. Many need no disability rating.

Each one says who qualifies, how to apply, the official link, and the date we last checked it. Rules change, so the official page has the final word.

Free help in Texas

Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 512-463-6564 State agency website

A Veterans service officer (VSO) helps with VA claims and state benefits for free.

Find a service officer near you Texas's list of local offices
Your VA disability rating
Who is it for?

23 benefits

Property tax

  • 100%+

    100 Percent Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption

    Veterans who are rated 100% disabled or individually unemployable by the VA can have their entire home value exempted from property tax. The benefit can continue for an unremarried surviving spouse after the veteran's death.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). Veteran must receive 100 percent VA disability compensation due to a 100 percent rating or a determination of individual unemployability, and the property must be the veteran's residence homestead.
    How to apply
    File Form 50-114, Residence Homestead Exemption Application, with a copy of the VA award letter, with the county appraisal district.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • 10%+

    Disabled Veteran Partial Property Tax Exemption (10%-90% rating)

    Texas veterans with a service-connected disability rating from the VA or their branch of service can get a fixed-dollar reduction in the taxable value of one property they own. The exemption amount rises in steps as the disability rating increases, and it can be applied to any single property, not just a home.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 10% or higher. Must be a Texas resident veteran with a disability rating of at least 10% from the VA or the branch of service, or the surviving spouse/child of such a veteran, or the surviving spouse/child of a service member who died on active duty.
    How to apply
    File Form 50-135, Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption Application, with the county appraisal district where the property is located.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Surviving Spouse Property Tax Exemption for Service-Connected Death

    Surviving spouse of service member who died from a service-connected condition receives 100% property tax exemption on residence homestead. Exemption is effective 2026 tax year and requires spouse to remain unmarried and occupy property as primary residence.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Unmarried surviving spouse of U.S. Armed Forces member who died as result of service-connected condition; must be Texas resident; must have been married to veteran at time of death; must occupy property as primary residence.
    How to apply
    Apply with appraisal district providing VA letter confirming DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) benefits and service-connection of death cause. Application deadline is April 30 annually.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    No Texas State Income Tax on Military Retirement or VA Benefits

    Texas does not levy any state tax on individual income, so military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, and other veteran benefits are not subject to a state income tax. This is a state constitutional protection rather than a special veterans' carve-out.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applies automatically to all individuals in Texas, including veterans, because the state constitution bars the legislature from imposing a tax on the net income of individuals.
    How to apply
    No application needed; there is no state income tax return to file.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • 40%+

    Disabled Veteran License Plates and Parking Placard

    Qualifying disabled veterans can obtain Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates for a reduced fee and, if they meet mobility-disability criteria, add the International Symbol of Access for handicapped parking or receive a parking placard. One vehicle is eligible for a $3 first set of plates, with no registration fee.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 40% or higher. Must be a veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 50 percent, or at least 40 percent due to lower-extremity amputation, and receiving U.S. government compensation for the disability; ISA eligibility requires meeting the legal definition of a mobility disability.
    How to apply
    Submit Form VTR-615, Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and/or Parking Placard, with VA proof of disability, to the local county tax assessor-collector.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Designation on Driver License or ID Card

    DPS will print the word VETERAN on a Texas driver license or ID card for honorably or generally discharged veterans, and can add a DISABLED VETERAN designation for those with a qualifying disability rating. Disabled veterans meeting a 60% or higher rating may also get the license or ID fee waived entirely.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be honorably discharged or have a general discharge under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Texas National Guard; the disabled designation requires at least 50% disability, or 40% with a lower-extremity amputation, while the full fee waiver requires at least 60% disability and disability compensation.
    What you get at each level
    • Disabled Veteran designation (if lower-extremity amputation)
    • Disabled Veteran designation
    • Full fee waiver on license/ID
    How to apply
    Visit a DPS driver license office (or request by mail at renewal) with a DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22, VA disability letter, or other qualifying discharge document.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • 50%+

    Disabled Veteran "Super Combo" Hunting and All-Water Fishing License

    Texas Parks and Wildlife issues a free combined hunting and all-water fishing license package to qualifying disabled veterans, covering nearly all state hunting and fishing endorsements. It is available to both residents and nonresidents who meet the disability criteria.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Must be a disabled veteran, as defined by the VA, with the loss of use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 50% or more, and receiving U.S. compensation for the disability; current VA proof of disability rate must be shown at purchase.
    How to apply
    Purchase in person at a TPWD license retailer or TPWD office, presenting VA proof of disability.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Texas Parklands Passports for Veterans and Disabled Veterans

    TPWD issues free Parklands Passports that give honorably discharged veterans free entry to all Texas state parks, and give veterans with a 60% or greater service-connected disability (or loss of a lower extremity) free entry for themselves plus one companion. Active-duty and Gold Star family passports are also available.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans passport requires honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces; Disabled Veterans passport requires a 60% or greater VA service-connected disability rating or loss of a lower extremity.
    What you get at each level
    • Veterans passport: free entry (honorable discharge only)
    • Disabled Veterans passport: free entry for veteran plus one companion
    How to apply
    Obtain the passport in person at any Texas State Park with photo ID and qualifying proof such as a DD-214, VA disability letter, or a driver license with the veteran designation.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption (Veterans)

    Eligible Texas veterans can attend public colleges and universities in Texas without paying tuition and most fees for up to 150 semester credit hours. Veterans must first use any federal Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits before drawing on Hazlewood hours.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must have named Texas as home of record, entered service in Texas, or been a Texas resident when you joined; must have an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge; and must meet the residency and service rules in Texas law.
    How to apply
    Apply to a Texas public college, register in the Hazlewood Student Hours Online database, and submit the Hazlewood application with DD-214 and VA certificate of eligibility to the school's financial aid or veterans office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: 40 TAC §461.

  • 100%+For family or survivors

    Hazlewood Act Exemption for Spouses and Dependent Children (Legacy Act)

    Two paths extend Hazlewood to family. Spouses and children of Texas veterans who died in the line of duty or became 100% disabled (or unemployable) from service can receive the tuition exemption directly. Under the Legacy provision, an eligible veteran can transfer unused hours to one child. Both are capped at 150 credit hours in total.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). Direct exemption: spouse or child of a qualifying Texas veteran who died in the line of duty, is missing in action, or is 100% disabled or unemployable from service. Legacy transfer: child of an eligible veteran who assigns unused hours; the child must be 25 or younger on the first day of the semester and making satisfactory academic progress.
    How to apply
    Register in the Hazlewood Student Hours Online database, complete the Hazlewood application, and submit veteran documentation (DD-214, VA disability letter) to the college's veterans services office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    Veteran's/Military Employment Preference for State Jobs

    Texas law requires state agencies to give hiring preference to qualifying veterans over equally or less qualified non-veteran applicants, with extra test-score credit for veterans with a service-connected disability. Agencies must also set hiring goals and may designate certain openings as veteran-only positions.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Texas Military Forces, or an auxiliary service, or be the unremarried surviving spouse or orphan of a service member killed on active duty.
    How to apply
    Indicate veteran's preference eligibility when applying for a State of Texas job and provide supporting discharge documentation as requested by the hiring agency.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Business certification and contracts

  • No rating needed

    New Veteran-Owned Business Franchise Tax Exemption

    A new business formed in Texas that is 100 percent owned by honorably discharged veterans is exempt from state franchise tax and certain filing requirements for its first five years. Owners must obtain a Veteran Verification Letter from the Texas Veterans Commission and certify the business with the Comptroller.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Entity must be formed in Texas on or after January 1, 2022 (or between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2020), be 100 percent owned by honorably discharged veterans, and each owner must provide a TVC Letter of Verification of Veteran's Honorable Discharge.
    How to apply
    Request a Veteran Verification Letter from TVC, complete Comptroller Form 05-904, Certification of New Veteran-Owned Business, and file with the Secretary of State or Comptroller as applicable.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP)

    TVC's Veteran Entrepreneur Program gives veteran business owners free, one-on-one consulting on business formation, business plans, financing, marketing, and government contracting. The program also issues Veteran Verification Letters used to claim state business tax and fee exemptions.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Open to veteran entrepreneurs and veteran-owned small businesses in Texas; no minimum discharge type or disability rating is required to use general consulting services.
    How to apply
    Contact the VEP through the Texas Veterans Commission website or by phone to request consulting services or a Veteran Verification Letter.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • 20%+

    VetHUB Certification (formerly HUB)

    Texas's Historically Underutilized Business program is now VetHUB. It certifies businesses owned by Texas service-disabled Veterans for state contracting goals. Certification is free and lasts up to 4 years.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 20% or higher. At least 51% owned, managed and operated by Texas-resident service-disabled Veterans with a service-connected disability of 20% or more. For-profit, primarily based in Texas, and within SBA size standards.
    How to apply
    Apply online with the Texas Comptroller's Statewide HUB Program (512-463-5872).
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    Texas State Veterans Cemeteries

    The VLB manages Texas State Veterans Cemeteries that offer burial benefits identical to VA National Cemeteries, including a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, military honors, a headstone, a burial flag, and perpetual care, at no cost to the family. Spousal interment fees have also been waived.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and eligible spouses and dependents, may be interred regardless of the veteran's home state when they joined the military.
    How to apply
    Contact the VLB On-Site Representative at the chosen Texas State Veterans Cemetery to arrange burial, typically coordinated through a funeral home.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Texas State Veterans Homes (Long-Term Nursing Care)

    The VLB operates state-owned nursing homes across Texas that provide affordable, long-term skilled nursing and memory care for qualified veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents. Because the VA subsidizes much of the cost, out-of-pocket rates are well below average, and veterans rated 70% or higher may live there for free.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applicant must need long-term skilled nursing care as certified by a physician and the VA, be at least 18, and be a bona fide Texas resident at application, at entry into service, or for at least one continuous year before applying; spouses and Gold Star parents may also qualify.
    How to apply
    Contact a Texas State Veterans Home directly or call the VLB Texas Veterans Call Center; submit the admission application available on the GLO website.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 30%+

    VLB Home Improvement Loan Program

    The VLB offers below-market-rate loans to eligible Texas veterans, military members, and spouses to make repairs and improvements to their existing home. Veterans with a higher disability rating receive a discounted interest rate.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 30% or higher. Eligible Texas veterans, military members, and their spouses who meet VLB service and residency requirements; a 30% or greater VA disability rating qualifies for a discount.
    How to apply
    Apply through the Veterans Land Board; the VLB must be in first or second lien position and closing occurs through a title company or attorney.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program (Home Loans)

    The Texas Veterans Land Board offers eligible veterans and military members a below-market, low or no-down-payment home loan for a primary residence in Texas. Veterans with a higher disability rating qualify for an extra interest-rate discount.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be at least 18 years old, a bona fide Texas resident, and meet VLB service criteria (active duty, honorably/generally/medically discharged veteran, or certain surviving spouses); a 30% or greater VA disability rating qualifies for a discounted rate.
    How to apply
    Apply through a VLB participating lender using VA, FHA, or conventional financing; contact the VLB Call Center for eligibility certification.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    VLB Veterans Land Loan Program

    This VLB program lets eligible Texas veterans and military members borrow money to purchase land in Texas at favorable interest rates and terms with a low minimum down payment. It is described as the only program of its kind in the nation.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Same general VLB service and residency requirements as other VLB loan programs; open to eligible veterans and military members.
    How to apply
    Apply directly through the Veterans Land Board; contact the Texas Veterans Call Center for details.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Money, grants and bonuses

  • No rating needed

    TVC Claims Representation and Counseling

    TVC is the state agency designated to represent Texas and its veterans before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, providing free claims counseling and representation to veterans, dependents, and survivors on VA disability benefits and rights. This state-run advocacy service helps veterans pursue federal VA claims at no cost.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to Texas veterans, their dependents, and survivors seeking help with VA disability claims and benefits.
    How to apply
    Contact a Texas Veterans Commission Claims Counselor or a county Veterans Service Office for free assistance filing or appealing a VA claim.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    TVC Fund for Veterans' Assistance (Emergency Financial Assistance Grants)

    The Fund for Veterans' Assistance is a state fund that TVC uses to award reimbursement grants to nonprofits, local governments, and veteran service organizations, which in turn provide direct services such as emergency rent, mortgage, utility, and transportation assistance to veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses. TVC does not give money directly to individual veterans.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Beneficiaries must be Texas veterans, their dependents, or surviving spouses who can demonstrate financial need; grants are awarded to organizations, which then determine individual client eligibility.
    How to apply
    Veterans should contact a local FVA grantee organization (found via the TVC grants list) rather than applying to TVC directly; organizations apply to TVC through the competitive grant process.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

Other help

  • No rating needed

    TVC Veterans Mental Health Department

    TVC's Veterans Mental Health Department connects veterans, service members, and their families with military-culturally-competent mental health and support services at no cost, regardless of discharge status. It runs a statewide peer network, suicide-prevention initiatives, and a justice-involved veterans program.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Open to all veterans, service members, and their families in Texas regardless of discharge status, branch, or length of service.
    How to apply
    Contact the Veterans Mental Health Department through the Texas Veterans Commission website to connect with a local Peer Service Coordinator or provider.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    TVC Women Veterans Program (WVP)

    The Women Veterans Program works to ensure Texas women veterans have equitable access to federal and state veterans' benefits and services through outreach, advocacy, and regional coordinators. It also hosts recognition events and provides case-by-case assistance connecting women veterans to services.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Open to women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or the Texas National Guard on federal active duty and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
    How to apply
    Contact the Women Veterans Program through the Texas Veterans Commission website or attend virtual office hours for case-by-case assistance.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

Also check

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