Texas Veteran Benefits (2026 Guide)
A complete guide to state-level benefits for veterans living in Texas, including property tax exemptions, education programs, employment preference, and more. These benefits are in addition to your federal VA benefits.
Official source: Texas veterans affairs agency — applications, forms, and current filing deadlines come from the state directly.
Benefits at a Glance
Texas has no state income tax, a property tax exemption system that includes full exemption for 100% disabled veterans plus a surviving spouse benefit, and the Hazlewood Act education program.
Getting help in Texas
Accredited claims help
Texas Veterans Commission
Phone: (512) 463-6564
Verified October 2026. Call to confirm before you travel.
Local veterans offices
Some Texas counties have a veterans service office.
Verified September 2026.
Not sure what you qualify for yet? The briefing takes about three minutes and needs no signup.
Start the briefingProperty Tax Exemption
Full exemption for 100% disabled or IU veterans; partial for 10-90%
Veterans awarded 100% disability compensation for a service-connected disability, with a rating of 100% disabled or of individual unemployability, are exempt on the total appraised value of their residence homestead (Tax Code 11.131). Partial exemptions from the value of one property (Tax Code 11.22): 70% and over, $12,000; 50-69%, $10,000; 30-49%, $7,500; 10-29%, $5,000. Veterans 65 or older with a rating of at least 10%, or who are totally blind in one or both eyes or have lost the use of one or more limbs, get $12,000. The unremarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran keeps the full exemption on the home that was the homestead when the veteran died; on a later home it is limited to the dollar amount of the last exemption received. Unremarried surviving spouses of service members killed in the line of duty also get a full exemption. File with your appraisal district (the general deadline is April 30).
Income Tax Benefits
No state income tax
Texas has no state income tax. All income, including military retirement pay, is tax-free at the state level.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Free Super Combo for 50%+ disabled veterans or loss of use of a foot or leg
Texas gives the Disabled Veteran Super Combo hunting and all-water fishing package free to a resident or nonresident disabled veteran with a disability rating of 50% or more, or the loss of use of a foot or leg, who receives compensation from the U.S. for the disability. Proof must be shown each year, the package is only available in person at a license retailer, and the Federal Duck Stamp is not included.
Education Benefits
Hazlewood Act: free tuition at state schools for veterans and dependents
The Hazlewood Act provides up to 150 credit hours of free tuition at Texas public colleges for eligible veterans. Can be transferred to children (Hazlewood Legacy Act).
Employment & Hiring Preference
Veterans preference in state employment
Texas grants veterans preference in state employment. Texas Workforce Commission operates Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services with Veteran Employment Representatives in local Workforce Solutions offices across the state. Disabled veterans receive additional preference.
Vehicles & DMV
Free DV plates; exempt from registration fees; free driver license; some toll exemptions
Free "Disabled Veteran" license plates. DV plates are exempt from vehicle registration fees. Free driver license for disabled veterans. Toll exemptions for DV plates in some counties.
State Parks
Free Texas State Parks Pass for 60%+ disabled veterans
Texas Parks and Wildlife provides free Texas State Parks Pass for veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability. Covers all 89 state parks.
Housing & Veterans Homes
Texas State Veterans Homes; VLB home loans and land grants
Texas operates 10 State Veterans Homes providing skilled nursing. The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers below-market-rate home loans (up to $726,200), land loans (up to $150,000 for 5-10 acre tracts), and home improvement loans (up to $50,000) exclusively for Texas veterans.
Veteran Business Programs
HUB veteran-owned business certification
Texas Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program certifies veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses for state procurement preferences. Texas Comptroller provides bid notification services for certified HUB vendors.
Veterans in Texas
Texas is home to over 1.5 million veterans. The state's military installations are legendary: Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Fort Bliss, Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland, Randolph, Fort Sam Houston), Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and many more. The VA healthcare network in Texas is equally massive, with major medical centers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Temple, and El Paso. The Texas Veterans Commission operates a statewide network of veteran service representatives, employment counselors, and mental health support programs. Texas also runs ten state veterans homes and a veterans land loan program that helps veterans purchase land at below-market rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Veteran Benefits
Does Texas offer property tax exemptions for veterans?
Full exemption for 100% disabled or IU veterans; partial for 10-90%. Veterans awarded 100% disability compensation for a service-connected disability, with a rating of 100% disabled or of individual unemployability, are exempt on the total appraised value of their residence homestead (Tax Code 11.131). Partial exemptions from the value of one property (Tax Code 11.22): 70% and over, $12,000; 50-69%, $10,000; 30-49%, $7,500; 10-29%, $5,000. Veterans 65 or older with a rating of at least 10%, or who are totally blind in one or both eyes or have lost the use of one or more limbs, get $12,000. The unremarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran keeps the full exemption on the home that was the homestead when the veteran died; on a later home it is limited to the dollar amount of the last exemption received. Unremarried surviving spouses of service members killed in the line of duty also get a full exemption. File with your appraisal district (the general deadline is April 30).
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No state income tax. Texas has no state income tax. All income, including military retirement pay, is tax-free at the state level.
What education benefits does Texas offer veterans?
Hazlewood Act: free tuition at state schools for veterans and dependents. The Hazlewood Act provides up to 150 credit hours of free tuition at Texas public colleges for eligible veterans. Can be transferred to children (Hazlewood Legacy Act).
Do veterans get free or discounted hunting and fishing licenses in Texas?
Free Super Combo for 50%+ disabled veterans or loss of use of a foot or leg. Texas gives the Disabled Veteran Super Combo hunting and all-water fishing package free to a resident or nonresident disabled veteran with a disability rating of 50% or more, or the loss of use of a foot or leg, who receives compensation from the U.S. for the disability. Proof must be shown each year, the package is only available in person at a license retailer, and the Federal Duck Stamp is not included.
Does Texas give veterans hiring preference for state jobs?
Veterans preference in state employment. Texas grants veterans preference in state employment. Texas Workforce Commission operates Texas Veterans Commission Employment Services with Veteran Employment Representatives in local Workforce Solutions offices across the state. Disabled veterans receive additional preference.
Are there veterans homes or housing programs in Texas?
Texas State Veterans Homes; VLB home loans and land grants. Texas operates 10 State Veterans Homes providing skilled nursing. The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers below-market-rate home loans (up to $726,200), land loans (up to $150,000 for 5-10 acre tracts), and home improvement loans (up to $50,000) exclusively for Texas veterans.
Do veterans get free or discounted state park access in Texas?
Free Texas State Parks Pass for 60%+ disabled veterans. Texas Parks and Wildlife provides free Texas State Parks Pass for veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability. Covers all 89 state parks.
Want the full picture?
Texas benefits sit alongside federal compensation, healthcare, education, housing, and employment benefits. The optional briefing walks through what may apply to your specific service.
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