Texas has one of the strongest veteran benefit packages in the country. These benefits are separate from federal VA benefits and are not automatic — you must apply through the Texas Veterans Commission using your DD-214 and proof of Texas residency. Updated for 2026.
1. Property Tax Exemptions
Texas offers one of the most generous property tax exemption programs for veterans in the country. The exemption is based on VA disability rating:
| Disability Rating | Exemption Amount |
|---|---|
| 10-29% | $5,000 from assessed value |
| 30-49% | $7,500 from assessed value |
| 50-69% | $10,000 from assessed value |
| 70-99% | $12,000 from assessed value |
| 100% (P&T) | Full property tax exemption on primary residence — no dollar cap |
| Age 65+ veteran (any disability) | Additional $12,000 exemption |
| Surviving spouse of 100% P&T veteran | Full exemption continues if spouse has not remarried |
The 100% exemption is one of the strongest in any state. A home assessed at $400,000 saves $8,000-$12,000+ per year in property taxes. Apply through your county appraisal district with VA award letter and DD-214.
If you received your 100% P&T rating after buying your home, you can file for a retroactive refund of property taxes paid since the effective date of your rating. Contact your county appraisal district.
2. Income Tax Benefits
Texas has no state income tax — all income, including military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, SBP payments, and civilian wages, is completely free of state income tax. For a veteran receiving $3,000/month in military retirement, this saves approximately $1,500-$3,000 per year compared to high-tax states like California or New York.
Bottom line: 100% of your military retirement, VA disability, and civilian income is tax-free at the state level. Texas is one of only 9 states with zero income tax.
3. Education Benefits
Hazlewood Act — Free Tuition
The Hazlewood Act is one of the most valuable state education benefits in the country. It provides up to 150 semester credit hours of free tuition (not fees) at Texas public universities and community colleges for eligible veterans.
- Must be a Texas resident at time of military entry OR have resided in Texas for 12 months prior to enrollment
- Must have honorable discharge or general under honorable conditions
- Cannot have a federal education benefit (GI Bill) paying 100% of tuition — but can stack Hazlewood with partial GI Bill
- Legacy Transfer: Veterans who don't use all 150 hours can transfer unused hours to a dependent child — one of the most valuable legacy benefits in any state
- Covers undergraduate and graduate programs at any Texas public institution
Additional Education Benefits
- Texas Armed Services Scholarship: Up to $10,000/year for veterans and dependents pursuing STEM degrees
- Waived college application fees at most Texas public universities for veterans
- Priority registration for veteran students at most Texas public institutions
- In-state tuition guaranteed for all veterans regardless of when they established Texas residency (under Section 54.241 of Texas Education Code)
4. Home Loan Programs
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers three separate loan programs exclusive to Texas veterans:
- VLB Home Loan: Below-market interest rate mortgages for primary residence purchase. Can be combined with VA loan for zero down payment. Loan amounts up to $726,200.
- VLB Land Loan: Financing for land purchases. Minimum 1 acre (rural) or lot (urban). Below-market rates. Up to $150,000.
- VLB Home Improvement Loan: Up to $50,000 for home improvements at below-market rates. Can be used for accessibility modifications, energy efficiency, and general repairs.
Apply at glo.texas.gov/vlb. Active duty members stationed in Texas and Texas veterans are eligible. VLB loans can be stacked with the VA home loan guarantee.
5. Employment Preference
- State government hiring preference: Veterans receive preference points on state job applications. Disabled veterans receive additional preference.
- Texas Workforce Commission: Dedicated veteran employment representatives at every workforce center statewide
- Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) crosswalk: Texas recognizes military training for many state-licensed occupations, reducing barriers to employment
- Veteran entrepreneur programs: Texas Veterans Commission partners with SBA to offer business startup assistance
- Military spouse employment: Expedited professional license reciprocity for military spouses relocating to Texas
6. Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Veterans with 100% VA disability rating receive a free Super Combo hunting and fishing license ($68 value). Includes all hunting and freshwater/saltwater fishing privileges. Apply at any Texas Parks & Wildlife license vendor with VA award letter.
FreeAll Texas resident veterans with honorable discharge receive a 50% discount on the Super Combo hunting and fishing license. Available online or at any license vendor.
50% OffActive duty military and veterans can fish Texas public waters without a license on designated military appreciation days (typically 2 days per year). Check TPWD calendar for dates.
Free7. State Parks & Recreation
Veterans with 100% VA disability rating receive a free Texas State Parks Pass — unlimited entry to all 80+ Texas state parks. Includes camping reservation fee waivers at select parks.
FreeVeterans with any VA disability rating (10-90%) receive a 50% discount on the annual Texas State Parks Pass ($35 instead of $70). Available at any state park entrance.
50% OffAll veterans receive free entry to any Texas state park on Veterans Day and Memorial Day weekend. Bring DD-214 or veteran ID.
FreeTexas maintains a Veterans Heritage Trail connecting historic military sites across the state — free to visit year-round.
8. Vehicle Registration & License Plates
100% disabled veterans receive free vehicle registration for one vehicle annually. Surviving spouses also qualify if they have not remarried.
FreeTexas offers 30+ veteran specialty plates including Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star, POW, and branch-specific plates. Many are free for qualifying veterans. Standard fee plates are $30/year.
Disabled Veteran (DV) plates provide free parking at meters statewide and include the international disability symbol. Available at any county tax assessor office.
Free ParkingVeterans with honorable discharge receive a reduced-fee driver's license ($11 vs $33). 100% disabled veterans receive a free driver's license. "VETERAN" designation available on license.
9. Professional License Fee Waivers
Texas waives or reduces professional licensing fees for veterans, active duty, and military spouses across dozens of occupations:
- Full fee waiver for initial application for most licenses regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) — includes electrician, plumber, HVAC, cosmetology, real estate, and more
- Military experience credit: Texas accepts military training and experience toward licensing requirements for many occupations
- Expedited processing: Veteran and military spouse license applications are processed on a priority basis
- Reciprocity: Veterans and military spouses with out-of-state licenses can receive a Texas license without retesting in many fields
Search the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website at tdlr.texas.gov for your specific occupation. Most veteran waivers require DD-214 with honorable discharge.
10. Healthcare & Mental Health
- Texas Veterans Commission Mental Health Program: Free peer-to-peer counseling through the Military Veteran Peer Network (MVPN) — trained veteran volunteers statewide
- Texas Veterans + Family Alliance: Community-based mental health and substance abuse support for veterans and families not eligible for VA care
- Fund for Veterans Assistance (FVA): Grants to nonprofit organizations providing direct services to Texas veterans — housing, mental health, employment, legal aid
- County Veterans Service Officers: Every Texas county has a Veterans Service Officer who provides free assistance with VA healthcare enrollment, claims, and benefits navigation
- Telemedicine access: Texas VA facilities offer expanded telehealth options for rural veterans — no travel required
11. Business & Entrepreneurship
- Texas Veterans Commission Entrepreneurship Program: Free business plan development, mentorship, and startup resources for veteran entrepreneurs
- HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) certification: Service-disabled veterans can apply for HUB status, which provides preference in Texas state government contracts
- SBA Veterans Business Outreach Center: Texas hosts multiple VBOCs providing free business counseling, training, and loan packaging assistance
- Texas franchise tax exemption: Veteran-owned businesses with less than $2.47 million in total revenue are exempt from Texas franchise tax (applies to all businesses, but especially benefits veteran startups)
- SCORE mentorship: Free business mentoring from retired executives through SCORE chapters statewide
12. Burial & Memorial Benefits
- Texas State Veterans Cemeteries: Texas operates 4 state veterans cemeteries (Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, and Mission) with free burial for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents
- Free burial plot and interment: No cost for gravesite, opening/closing, grave liner, and headstone/marker at state veterans cemeteries
- Perpetual care: All state veterans cemeteries are maintained in perpetuity at no cost to the family
- Military funeral honors: Coordinated through the Texas Military Forces — available at any cemetery in Texas
- Federal burial benefits stack: Texas state cemetery benefits are in addition to federal VA burial benefits ($2,000+ burial allowance for service-connected death)
13. Legal Protections
- Texas Military Forces Reemployment Rights: State-level protections (in addition to federal USERRA) for Texas Guard and Reserve members called to state active duty
- Protections against predatory lending: Texas law provides additional protections for military members against payday loans and high-interest lending
- Tenant protections: Active duty military members can break a lease without penalty if they receive PCS orders, deployment orders, or are honorably discharged
- Texas Veterans Legal Aid: Free legal assistance through the Texas Veterans Commission for discharge upgrades, VA claims appeals, family law, and consumer protection issues
- Court deferment: Active duty military and recently separated veterans can request deferment of civil court proceedings
14. Dependent & Spouse Benefits
- Hazlewood Legacy Act: Veterans can transfer unused Hazlewood Act tuition hours to one dependent child — up to 150 credit hours of free tuition at Texas public universities
- Surviving spouse property tax exemption: Surviving spouses of 100% P&T veterans continue to receive the full property tax exemption if they have not remarried and still occupy the home
- Military spouse professional license reciprocity: Expedited licensing for military spouses in nursing, teaching, law, and dozens of other regulated professions
- Children of deceased veterans: Eligible for free tuition under the Hazlewood Legacy Act plus potential federal education benefits (DEA Chapter 35)
- Survivor benefits: Texas state veterans cemeteries provide free burial for spouses and eligible dependents
15. Key Contacts & Resources
Main state agency for veteran benefits. Free claims assistance, employment services, education counseling, and mental health programs.
Phone: (512) 463-6564
Website: tvc.texas.gov
Home loans, land loans, and home improvement loans at below-market rates.
Phone: (800) 252-8387
Website: glo.texas.gov/vlb
Every Texas county has a Veterans Service Officer providing free assistance with VA claims, benefits enrollment, and local resources. Find yours at tvc.texas.gov/county-service-officers.
Free HelpDedicated veteran employment representatives at workforce centers statewide. Job placement, resume help, career training.
Website: twc.texas.gov/veterans
Texas National Guard and State Guard programs, emergency assistance, military funeral honors coordination.
Phone: (512) 782-5001
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
Military Veteran Peer Network: (512) 341-4218
Texas Veterans Mental Health Helpline: (844) 289-3879
Compare All 50 States
See how Texas stacks up against every other state for veteran benefits — property tax, income tax, education, and more.
View All State BenefitsAI Career Tools for Veterans
Use our AI-powered tools to translate your military experience, build federal resumes, and find your best civilian career match.
Launch AI Career Builder