Texas offers a wide range of benefits for veterans, service members, and their families, including support with education, employment, housing, and more. The information provided here is only a general overview to help you explore additional resources that may be available in your state.
Each program listed includes a brief description and a direct link to the official source for more information and how to apply. Please note that we are not experts on these individual programs — this guide is intended to help point you in the right direction.
For the most accurate and up-to-date details, we recommend visiting the official program websites or contacting the Texas Veterans Commission directly.
Veterans with a VA disability rating between 10% and 90% can receive a partial property tax exemption ranging from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on their disability percentage. Disabled veterans over 65 may qualify for a $12,000 exemption if they have at least a 10% service-connected disability, are totally blind in one or both eyes, or have lost the use of one or more limbs.
A non-remarried surviving spouse of a service member is eligible for 100% tax exemption if the service member died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Texas gives hiring preference for public sector jobs to veterans, surviving spouses who haven’t remarried, orphans of veterans killed on active duty, and certain spouses of active-duty service members or disabled veterans. State agencies must follow this preference until 20% of their workforce are veterans.
All veterans and qualified spouses have priority access to state- or federally funded workforce services, including job training, employment assistance, and related resources, over non-veteran job seekers.
Non-retired veterans can apply their active duty service time toward their Texas state retirement by making a payment equal to their regular monthly employee contribution multiplied by the number of active duty months. They can buy up to 60 months of active duty service credit.
The Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP) helps veterans start and grow businesses by providing planning support, help securing capital, and business resources. VEP offers outreach through seminars and newsletters, connects veterans to partner resources, and provides consultants to guide them through all stages of their business.
This program provides veterans with priority access to employment, training, and related services. Veterans receive help with job placement, job searches, training programs, resumes and applications, career development, and get faster access to resources than non-veterans
TWC also offers the following Veteran programs
College Credit for Heroes
Hiring Red, White, and You
Texas Operation Welcome Home
Texas Veterans Leadership Program
Texas state employees who are members of the Texas Military Forces, U.S. Armed Forces reserves, or authorized urban search and rescue teams may be eligible to receive up to 15 paid workdays per federal fiscal year for authorized military training or duty, without losing accumulated leave or other benefits. If called to state active duty by the governor or other authority during a disaster, they are entitled to up to seven extra paid workdays in a fiscal year.
A state or local government employee who leaves their job to enter active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces is entitled to be reemployed to the same position or a position of similar seniority, status, and pay.
The Hazlewood Act is a Texas state benefit providing qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This exemption covers tuition and most mandatory fees but does not include living expenses, books, supplies, student service fees, or other non-tuition-related costs.
Veteran Eligibility
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
Child (Legacy) Eligibility – Veterans eligible for the Hazlewood Act can assign unused hours to a child under certain conditions
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
The spouse or dependent of an eligible veteran who has been determined to be 100% permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected injury or illness, or who became totally disabled for employability purposes as a result of such a condition, may be entitled to educational benefits. Each qualifying spouse or dependent can receive up to 50 credit hours of tuition exemption.
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
The Texas Military Department offers financial assistance to eligible actively drilling members of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard to support their educational and career goals. Awards for public colleges cover up to 12 credit hours and mandatory fees, not exceeding $4,500 per semester, while private school awards are based on the average public school award amount, also capped at $4,500 per semester. This funding is available only for fall and spring semesters, does not cover out-of-state or nonresident tuition, and is not reimbursed for incomplete, dropped, or failed classes.
For more information, please email ng.tx.txarng.mbx.trp@army.mil or call 512-782-5515
Students in grades 6–12 and at post-secondary schools can earn $25 vouchers towards higher education costs by honoring veterans at funerals through playing Taps on a bugle, trumpet, or cornet. There’s no limit to how many vouchers a student can earn.
Texas school districts can award high school diplomas to veterans who left school to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces before earning their diploma. To qualify, the veteran must have been honorably discharged and have been scheduled to graduate after 1940 and before 1975, or after 1989. They must have completed at least the sixth grade before leaving school to serve in World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghan War, or any other formally declared war or military engagement. Veterans must submit a completed Texas Application for High School Diplomas for Certain Veterans to the local school district where they were last enrolled
Removes barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents
Texas provides low-interest real estate loans to veterans and service members through programs offering land loans, home loans, and home improvement loans. Veterans can apply for any or all of these loans at the same time and may apply for new loans once a previous one is fully repaid. The program does not offer refinancing or serve as a down payment option, and all loans are subject to credit approval.
For more information or questions call 800-252-8387, email VLBinfo@glo.texas.gov
The program offers financing for land tracts up to $150,000 with a fixed-rate 30-year loan and a minimum 5% down payment. A $325 appraisal fee is required when applying, and applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements.
The program offers low-interest home loans with little or no down payment, providing up to $766,550 on a fixed-rate loan for 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 30% can receive a discounted interest rate, and applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements.
This program offers below-market interest rate loans for home repairs and improvements to existing homes, with amounts up to $50,000 for terms of 2 to 20 years or $7,500–$10,000 for terms of 2 to 10 years. Veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 30% can get a discounted interest rate. Loans can be used for alterations, repairs, or improvements eligible under HUD’s FHA Title I Loan program. No down payment is required, but applicants must pay a flood certification fee, a title search fee, and closing costs. Specific eligibility requirements apply.
National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members who are called to active duty service may be able to defer their loan payments under certain conditions
Texas has ten State Veterans Homes that provide affordable, long-term nursing care for Texas veterans, their spouse, and for Gold Star parents. Eligible veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability rating may be eligible to live at the homes for free.
Location: 1809 North Highway 87 Big Spring, Texas 79720
Phone Number: 432-268-8387
Location: 1300 Seven Oaks Road Bonham, Texas 75418
Phone Number: 903-640-8387
Location: 9650 Kenworthy Street El Paso, Texas 79924
Phone Number: 915-751-0967
Location: 200 Veterans Drive Floresville, Texas 78114
Phone Number: 830-216-9456
Location: 2200 Joe B. Rushing Road Fort Worth, TX 76119
Phone Number: 817-502-6001
Location: 14041 Cottingham St. Houston, Texas 77048
Phone Number: 346-293-9600
Location: 301 East Yuma Avenue McAllen, Texas 78503
Phone Number: 956-682-4224
Location: 1424 Martin Luther King Jr. Lane Temple, Texas 76504
Phone Number: 254-791-8280
Texas has four State Veterans Cemeteries that serve as a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members. Eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependents can be buried at no charge and receive multiple burial benefits. However, these benefits do not cover funeral home expenses like the casket, cremation, viewing, flowers, or transportation of the remains and family. Specific eligibility requirements apply.
Location: 11463 Fort Hood Street Killeen, Texas 76542
Phone Number: (254) 616-1770
Location: 9974 IH 37 Access Road Corpus Christi, Texas 78410
Phone Number: (361) 248-4830
Location: 2520 Inspiration Road Mission, Texas 78572
Phone Number: (956) 583-7227
Location: 7457 W. Lake Road Abilene, Texas 79601
Phone Number: (325) 673-4446
SSLI offered through the National Guard Association of Texas to Texas National Guard service members is made up of several voluntary group life policies that are designed to help meet the needs of National Guard service members and their families.
Veterans can add a military designation to their Texas driver’s license or ID card for free when applying or renewing. Non-disabled veterans adding only the designation must pay for a duplicate license if needed. Disabled veterans with a 60% or greater disability rating and receiving VA compensation are eligible for a no-fee driver’s license. Those with a 50% or greater VA disability rating, or a 40% rating with a lower extremity amputation, can receive the “Disabled Veteran” designation.
Veterans can request their branch of service to be printed on the license or ID card
Eligible disabled veterans—resident or non-resident—who have lost use of a foot or leg, or have a disability rating of 50% or more and receive compensation from the U.S. government, qualify for a package that includes a resident hunting license, resident fishing license, and endorsements for archery, freshwater fishing, saltwater fishing (with a red drum tag), upland game bird, and migratory game bird hunting.
The Federal Duck Stamp is not included but is required for waterfowl hunting.
Texas offers the Parklands Passport free of charge to service members, veterans, disabled veterans, and Gold Star Families. This pass provides free entry to Texas state parks for the eligible pass holder. Those eligible include active or reserve service members (must renew annually), honorably discharged veterans, veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 60% or who have lost a lower extremity (a companion is also admitted free), and family members of service members who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Texas residents on active duty can get the “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package at no cost. This package includes a resident hunting license, resident fishing license, archery endorsement, freshwater and saltwater fishing endorsements with red drum and spotted seatrout tags, and upland and migratory game bird endorsements.
Active duty residents can also choose an All-Water Fishing Package (fishing license plus freshwater and saltwater endorsements with tags) or a Hunting Package (hunting license plus archery, upland game bird, and migratory game bird endorsements).
The Federal Duck Stamp is not included but is required for waterfowl hunting.
The Texas Veterans Portal, sponsored by the Texas Veterans Commission, is a one-stop resource connecting service members, veterans, their families, and caregivers to benefits and services earned through military service. It offers easy access to information on health and wellness, education and training, employment and careers, housing and loans, active duty resources in Texas, licenses, records and medals, support for dependents and caregivers, legal and financial help, disability claims, resources for women veterans, supporting agencies, and events and calendars.
Each county clerk in Texas must record a veteran’s official discharge papers (DD214) free of charge for any veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces
Texas veterans can get one free copy of their medical or mental health records when needed to file a VA disability claim. Health care providers or facilities are only required to provide one complete copy at no cost.
Active-duty service members under age 21 can receive an age waiver to obtain a Texas License to Carry (LTC), though without the waiver, applicants must be at least 21. While under 21, they cannot purchase handguns but may legally possess them. Texas also offers a fee waiver for new and renewal LTC permits for active-duty service members.
Free civil legal assistance to veterans and their families who cannot afford legal services. TLTV is a statewide collaboration between local bar associations, legal aid organizations, and veteran service providers to offer free legal advice clinics for veterans across Texas.
For more information, please call 512-427-1463 or 800-204-2222
Ohio provides eligible Veterans with a free five-year hunting and fishing license, which includes all major permits such as fishing, hunting, deer, turkey, fur taker, and wetlands habitat stamps. To qualify, Veterans must have been Ohio residents for at least six months, received an honorable discharge, and meet one of the following: rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA, receiving a VA pension or compensation, have an Ohio Disabled Veteran license plate, or be a former Prisoner of War (POW).
Service members on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are on leave or furlough are not required to purchase a hunting license, fishing license, Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp, or fur taker permit, though all other licenses and permits are still required. Nonresident service members stationed in Ohio on active duty may purchase Ohio hunting and fishing licenses at resident rates.
Ohio offers free watercraft registration for resident Veterans who are 100% disabled, Medal of Honor recipients, or former prisoners of war (POWs). Eligible Veterans must provide documentation such as a VA Benefit Summary Letter confirming a 100% service-connected disability, official proof of receiving the Medal of Honor, or proof of former POW status with an honorable discharge or current active-duty service.
Active duty and retired service members are eligible for a 10% discount on all overnight facilities at Ohio State Parks, including every night of the week, with no residency restrictions.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources provides free camping for resident former POWs and honorably discharged Veterans with a total and permanent disability rating from the VA. This benefit applies to a single campsite per stay and cannot be used for multiple sites during the same time period.
