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Texas benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Texas source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Texas Veterans Commission can help you apply for them at no cost.
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) and Veterans County Service Officers
In effect
The Texas Veterans Commission is the state agency that advocates for veterans and helps with claims. It trains and certifies Veterans County Service Officers (VCSOs), who help veterans file VA claims locally. Separately, the General Land Office's Veterans Land Board (VLB) runs loans, state veterans homes and cemeteries, and staffs the Texas Veterans Call Center.
Who qualifies
All Texas veterans and dependents.
Amount or details
Texas Veterans Call Center (VLB/GLO): 1-800-252-8387, Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CT. The TVC phone number could not be verified because tvc.texas.gov blocks automated access.
How to apply
Contact your county's Veterans County Service Officer (usually at the county courthouse) or TVC.
100% disabled veteran total homestead exemption (Tax Code 11.131)
In effect
A veteran the VA rates 100% disabled, or rates as individually unemployable, and who receives 100% disability compensation pays no property tax on their residence homestead. The exemption carries over to an unremarried surviving spouse.
Who qualifies
VA 100% disability compensation for a service-connected disability with a 100% rating or individual unemployability. Surviving spouse who has not remarried and still lives in the homestead.
Amount or details
Total appraised value of the residence homestead is exempt.
How to apply
File Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption Application) with your county appraisal district.
Partial disabled veteran exemption by rating (Tax Code 11.22)
In effect
Disabled veterans get a property tax exemption on any one property they own. The amount is set by their VA disability rating. Surviving spouses and children may also qualify.
Who qualifies
Veteran with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%. The full $12,000 also applies to veterans 65 or older with at least a 10% rating, veterans who are totally blind in one or both eyes, and veterans who have lost the use of one or more limbs.
Amount or details
Exempt assessed value: $5,000 (10% to under 30%), $7,500 (30% to under 50%), $10,000 (50% to under 70%), $12,000 (70% and over). Surviving spouse of a member who died on active duty: $5,000.
How to apply
File Form 50-135 (Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption Application) with your county appraisal district.
“Tax Code Section 11.22 provides a partial exemption for any one property owned by a disabled veteran.”
Surviving spouses of veterans who died of PACT Act presumptive conditions (Tax Code 11.136)
In effect
This is new for 2026 under HB 2508 (2025). The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died of a condition presumed service-connected under the PACT Act gets a total homestead exemption, whatever the veteran's disability rating was.
Who qualifies
Unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who died of a PACT Act presumptive condition or disease. Applies regardless of the date of death.
Amount or details
Total appraised value of the residence homestead is exempt.
How to apply
File Form 50-114 with your county appraisal district.
“is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of the surviving spouse's residence homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the veteran.”
Disabled Veteran (DV) plates with fee-free registration
In effect
Veterans with a service-connected disability rated at least 50% (or 40% for a lower-extremity amputation) who receive VA compensation can register one vehicle with DV plates. They pay only the plate fee and no registration fees.
Who qualifies
At least 50% service-connected disability, or 40% due to amputation of a lower extremity. Must receive VA compensation. Vehicle owned by the veteran, 18,000 lbs GVW or less, or a motor home.
Amount or details
One vehicle registered without payment of any registration fee except the license plate fee. Plates read "DV" and "Disabled Veteran"/"U.S. Armed Forces". Registration is valid for one year.
How to apply
Apply through your county tax assessor-collector with proof of VA disability rating.
“may register, for the person's own use, one vehicle without payment of any fee paid for or at the time of registration except the fee for the license plates.”
Disabled-veteran parking privileges
In effect
Vehicles with DV plates that carry the International Symbol of Access (504.202(b-1)), and out-of-state disabled-veteran plates, can park for unlimited time in disabled parking spaces, including at public colleges.
Who qualifies
DV plates issued with the wheelchair symbol under Sec. 504.202(b-1), or another state's disabled-veteran plates. The vehicle must be operated by or carrying the plate holder.
Amount or details
Unlimited time in spaces designated for persons with disabilities. A college may require a free permit.
How to apply
Request DV plates with the symbol of access at your county tax office (requires physician statement under 504.201(d)).
“A vehicle may be parked for an unlimited period in a parking space or area that is designated specifically for persons with physical disabilities if:”
"VETERAN" and disabled-veteran designation on driver's license/ID
In effect
DPS adds "VETERAN" to a driver's license or ID card on request with proof of honorable service. Disabled veterans rated 50% or higher, or 40% for an amputation, can also add a disabled veteran designation and their branch.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces or Texas National Guard. Disabled-veteran designation requires a 50% rating, or 40% for lower-extremity amputation.
Amount or details
DPS must accept a VA Veteran ID card or DoD ID as proof. The DV designation can serve as proof for many disabled-veteran benefits, but not for property tax exemptions.
How to apply
Request it at a DPS driver license office with your DD-214, VA ID or DoD ID.
Eligible veterans are exempt from tuition and most required fees at Texas public colleges, for up to 150 credit hours. Unused hours can go to a child under the Legacy program. Spouses and children of service members who were killed, are MIA, or are 100% disabled also qualify.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged, more than 180 days of active duty (excluding training), and entered service in Texas or was a Texas resident when entering service. Spouse or child of a member killed in action, MIA, or who died or became totally disabled from service.
Amount or details
Exempt from tuition, dues, fees and other required charges, excluding deposits, student services fees, and lodging, board and clothing. Lifetime cap of 150 semester credit hours.
How to apply
Apply through the school's financial aid office using the Hazlewood application from TVC.
“The governing board of each institution of higher education shall exempt the following persons from the payment of tuition, dues, fees, and other required charges”
State hiring preference for veterans (Government Code ch. 657)
In effect
Veterans, with disabled veterans first, get preference over other applicants for the same state agency job who do not have greater qualifications. Agencies must set a goal that veterans make up at least 20% of full-time staff, and they may designate positions as military-preference positions.
Who qualifies
Veterans (including disabled veterans), certain surviving spouses and orphans of veterans.
Amount or details
Priority order: disabled veteran first, then veteran, and so on. Veterans who pass competitive exams get points added. 20% veteran hiring goal.
How to apply
Claim the preference on the state job application and attach your DD-214 or proof of disability.
“is entitled to a preference in employment with or appointment to a state agency over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification.”
VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program (low-interest home loans)
In effect
The VLB offers eligible Texas veterans and military members low-interest, fixed-rate home loans with little or no down payment.
Who qualifies
At least 18 and a Texas resident at application, plus a qualifying service status (active duty, Texas National Guard, or a veteran meeting VLB criteria). The home must be the primary residence for at least 3 years.
Amount or details
Up to $832,750, with fixed terms of 15, 20, 25 or 30 years. No refinancing. Rates adjust weekly.
How to apply
Apply through a VLB-participating lender and get a VLB Certificate of Eligibility.
“Veterans, Military Members and their spouses may receive up to $832,750 on a fixed-rate loan for 15, 20, 25 or 30 year terms”
Fund for Veterans' Assistance (grants to veteran service providers)
In effect
The Fund for Veterans' Assistance is a state treasury fund, partly funded by lottery proceeds. TVC uses it to grant money to organizations that provide veterans with services such as financial and housing help.
Who qualifies
Veterans get help through grant-funded local organizations.
Amount or details
Grant program, not a direct individual benefit. Current grantee list was not verified because the TVC site was blocked.
Free hunting license for disabled veterans (Super Combo)
In effect
By statute, Texas Parks & Wildlife must waive the resident hunting license fee for qualified disabled veterans. TPWD issues this as the free Disabled Veteran Super Combo license.
Who qualifies
Resident veteran with a service-connected disability that is the loss of use of a lower extremity or a rating of 50% or more, and who receives VA compensation.
Amount or details
Fee waived. The Super Combo product name and its included fishing and stamp endorsements could not be verified on the TPWD site.
How to apply
Buy at any license retailer or TPWD office with proof of VA disability.
Texas State Veterans Homes (10 homes, Veterans Land Board)
In effect
The VLB runs 10 long-term-care veterans homes: Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, Temple and Tyler. They serve veterans, spouses and Gold Star parents. Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected rating can generally live there for free.
Who qualifies
Qualified veterans, spouses and Gold Star parents. Admission is governed by 40 TAC and USDVA medical, financial and service criteria.
Amount or details
VA per diem subsidizes costs, and daily rates include medications for veterans. Free for veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability.
How to apply
Contact the VLB at 1-800-252-8387 or the individual home.
Texas State Veterans Cemeteries (Veterans Land Board)
In effect
The VLB manages five state veterans cemeteries: Central Texas (Killeen), Coastal Bend (Corpus Christi), Rio Grande Valley (Mission), Abilene, and West Texas (Lubbock). They complement the national cemeteries in Texas.
Who qualifies
Veterans with Honorable, Under Honorable Conditions or General discharges who meet minimum active-duty service rules, plus spouses and eligible dependents.
Amount or details
No charge for interment of veterans, spouses and eligible dependents. Military honors are included. Funeral home charges are not covered.
How to apply
The funeral home or family contacts the cemetery. Central Texas: (254) 616-1770.
HB 2508 (89th Legislature, 2025) added Tax Code 11.136, a total homestead exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who died of PACT Act presumptive conditions, effective January 1, 2026. The Legislature has no regular session in 2026. The next regular session (90th) starts in January 2027, so no veteran bills are pending.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Texas source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Texas Veterans Commission about anything here.
The TVC phone, VSO-finder URL, Hazlewood application details and TVC employment/health programs were not verified. Statutes were used instead.
statutes.capitol.texas.gov is now an Angular single-page app. The same official statute HTML was reviewed from tcss.legis.texas.gov/Docs/... (Texas Legislative Council).
TPWD pages for the Disabled Veteran Super Combo and the Parklands Passport returned 404 at the guessed URLs. The fee waiver is sourced to PWC 42.012 and the passport to PWC 13.018.
No Texas state veterans cash bonus was found, but no official 'none offered' statement was located, so no item was written.
TxDMV DV plate page content was thin (562 chars), so plates are sourced to Transp. Code 504.202.
The DV plate fee amount ($3 plate fee per TxDMV) was not verified.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.