Veterans Benefits in Texas

Texas operates nine state veterans homes providing long-term skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, and Alzheimer's/dementia care. Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability rating may qualify to live at no cost. VA-subsidized daily rates for other veterans are well below market averages and include medications. Eligibility extends to spouses, unmarried surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents.

Provides peer-to-peer counseling services to veterans, service members, and their families through 37 Local Mental Health Authorities across the state. Services include peer counseling, crisis intervention referrals, connection to community resources, and support for PTSD, substance use, and reintegration challenges. Free and does not require VA enrollment or a disability rating.

Members of the Texas Military Forces (Army National Guard, Air National Guard, State Guard) who retire from state military service may access TRICARE and workers compensation during state duty. Gray Area retirees (qualified but under age 60) may purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage. The Texas Military Department assists with Survivor Benefit Plan and TRICARE enrollment.

Provides up to 150 credit hours of tuition-free education at Texas public colleges and universities for eligible veterans. Benefits are also transferable to dependent children.

Allows eligible Texas veterans to transfer their unused Hazlewood Act tuition exemption hours (up to 150 credit hours) to one dependent child at a time. The Legacy child must be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester, must be classified as a Texas resident by the institution, and must be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed tax dependent of the qualifying veteran. Only one child may use Legacy benefits at a time, and the total across all children cannot exceed 150 hours.

The only program of its kind in the nation — allows eligible Texas veterans to borrow up to $200,000 to purchase land at below-market interest rates with a minimum 5% down payment for tracts of one acre or more. Two veteran spouses who are both individually eligible may borrow up to $275,000 combined. Veterans with a VA disability rating of 30% or greater qualify for a discounted interest rate.

Provides below-market interest rate loans to qualified Texas veterans for home repairs and improvements to their existing primary residence. Loans up to $50,000 for 2–20 year terms. No down payment required. Eligible improvements include alterations, repairs, and improvements qualifying under the HUD FHA Title I Loan Program. Veterans with a 30% or greater VA disability rating qualify for a discounted interest rate.

Offers below-market interest rate loans for home purchases exclusively for Texas veterans. Loans are available for land, homes, and home improvements.

Veterans receive hiring preference for state government jobs in Texas. Disabled veterans receive additional preference points in the hiring process.

Provides emergency financial assistance to Texas veterans and their families through grants to nonprofit organizations and local government programs. Services include temporary rental/mortgage assistance, utility payment help, funeral assistance, transportation aid, and food assistance. Over $46 million in grants fund approximately 200 organizations serving nearly 40,000 veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses annually.

Veterans with a 100% VA disability rating receive a full property tax exemption on their primary residence. Partial exemptions are available for ratings between 10% and 99%.

TxDOT waives toll charges for disabled veterans on state-operated toll roads. Qualifying veterans must have a vehicle registered in Texas displaying a Disabled Veteran specialty license plate. No TxTag or electronic toll transponder required on TxDOT roads. Different toll authorities (HCTRA, CTRMA, NTTA, NET RMA) have separate enrollment requirements.

Disabled veterans may register one motor vehicle with a DV specialty license plate with most registration fees waived. First set of DV plates costs $3, additional sets free. Vehicles with DV plates may park free at any parking meter operated by a governmental authority (non-federal). Requires 50%+ service-connected disability or 40%+ due to lower extremity amputation.

Texas Parks & Wildlife provides a free Disabled Veteran "Super Combo" Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package including five state endorsements. Available to both resident and nonresident veterans who have lost the use of a foot or leg, or have a 50% or more VA service-connected disability rating. Federal Duck Stamp for waterfowl not included.

Texas Parks & Wildlife offers free Parklands Passports granting complimentary entry to all Texas State Parks. The Disabled Veterans Parklands Passport (60%+ disability) includes free entry for one companion. A separate Veterans Parklands Passport provides free entry for any honorably discharged veteran. Active Duty and Gold Star Family passports also available.

Texas operates four state veterans cemeteries (Killeen, Corpus Christi, Mission, Abilene) with a fifth (Lubbock) opening in 2026. No charge for interment of veterans, spouses, and eligible dependents. Benefits include military honors, grave plot, opening/closing of grave, concrete liner, government headstone/marker, burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, Taps, gun salute, and perpetual care.