Texas Veterans Homes

Texas has nine veterans’ homes in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Houston, McAllen, Temple, and Tyler. The homes are 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.

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.                                         

Free Driver’s 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% of 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

Hazelwood Act

The Hazelwood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours 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 active duty.
• 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 the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year.
• be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term.
• 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 must:

• have no federal VA education benefits.
• be a Texas resident.
• meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements.

A child must:

• have no federal VA education benefits.
• be a Texas resident.
• meet GPA, academic progress and credit hour requirements. This requirement does not apply to the child of a MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran.

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.  State agencies must practice veterans’ preference until they have reached 40% veteran employment.

Military Time Credit Towards State Retirement

Non-retired veterans who are state employees can claim their active duty military time toward retirement by making a payment equal to the monthly contribution an employee would make times the number of months active duty. The maximum anyone can buy is 60 months.

Veteran Entrepreneur Program

The Veteran Entrepreneur Program provides veteran entrepreneurs and veteran small businesses the tools they need to start or grow their businesses. The program provides 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 are 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.

You do not have to be a Texas resident to qualify.

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.

Military members (and their dependents) on active duty anywhere are entitled to purchase a license at the resident rate.

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.

You do not have to be a Texas resident to qualify.

Texas Veterans Cemeteries

Texas has four state veterans cemeteries in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, and Mission. All Texas veterans their spouses and dependent children are eligible for burial.

There is no charge for burial of the veteran or their family.

Visit the Texas Veterans Commission website for more information on any of these programs.