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Texas Veterans Benefits & Disabled Veterans Benefits

Joe Wallace
Texas Veterans Benefits

Texas State Veteran Benefits

In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, veterans benefits programs are provided by the state of Texas. The following are the Texas veterans’ benefits programs.

Texas Veteran Education Benefits

The Hazlewood Act

The Hazlewood Act created a State of Texas military education benefit offering qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children up to 150 hours of tuition-free learning at state-supported institutions of higher learning.

Students must cover their own living expenses, books, and supply costs. To qualify, the veteran must:

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Legacy Act For School-Age Dependent Children of Veterans

Veterans eligible for the Hazlewood Act may qualify to transfer their unused Hazelwood Act benefits to a dependent who is:

Only one child can use Hazlewood Legacy benefits at a time.

Hazlewood Act for Spouses

Spouses and dependent children of eligible Active Duty, Reserve, and Texas National Guard members who died in the line of duty as the result of service-connected injury or illness, are missing in action, or who became totally disabled may qualify for up to 50 credit hours of tuition-free learning. Spouses are required to:

Qualifying Dependent Children must:

State Tuition Reimbursement Program, STRP

The Texas State Tuition Assistance Program, also known as the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, STRP, offers military education assistance to qualifying military members from

This program may fund up to 12 credit hours of tuition and fees per the Fall and Spring semesters. Funding is subject to availability, and this program can be used with federal financial aid but may be considered the last payer. In cases where federal financial aid has covered the qualifying expenses, State Tuition Assistance is not paid.

>> Find VA-approved colleges and universities in Texas with our School Finder. 

Texas Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans

The Texas Tax Code allows a partial property tax exemption “for any property owned by a disabled veteran.” The exemption varies depending on the veteran’s VA disability rating and may apply to un-remarried surviving spouses and surviving children of a disabled veteran.

The Texas Tax Code also offers qualifying surviving spouses a total property tax exemption on a primary residence. VA-rated 100% disabled veterans may qualify for a total property tax exemption.

According to the State of Texas,  some veterans may qualify for a “partial exemption for a residence homestead donated to a disabled veteran by a charitable organization,” and this can include “the surviving spouse of the disabled veteran who has not remarried.” The amount of the tax break is dependent on the veteran’s VA disability rating.

Tax exemptions may vary depending on the county and other factors. Contact your nearest tax assessor’s office to learn what specific procedures may be required in your zip code.

Texas Veteran Nursing Homes

There are 10 veterans homes in Texas:

Services may vary depending on location but typically, these homes offer long-term nursing care for Texas veterans, spouses, and Gold Star parents. Residents can live in private or semi-private rooms, and  Memory Care units are available at each home, offering a “secure environment.”

Texas State Veteran Cemeteries

The State of Texas operates veteran cemeteries, including:

Services provided include military honors for veterans, a grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, grave liner, headstone or marker, and perpetual care. Pre-need planning may be possible, but you may not be permitted to reserve a plot or niche physically.

Requirements for burial in one of these state veteran cemeteries is identical to the requirements for burial in a VA National Cemetery.

Texas Veterans Employment Benefits

Texas State Employment Veterans’ Hiring Preference

The State of Texas offers veteran hiring preference for state jobs hiring under merit systems or competitive exams. Those who qualify may earn 5 to 10 preference points added to the final score. Those with service-connected disabilities may qualify for additional points. An Honorable discharge is required, and surviving spouses may also apply for this hiring preference.

Texas State Retirement Military Service Credit

Veterans who do not have military retirement pay and are employed by the State of Texas may qualify for military service credit toward the state retirement program.

According to Army.mil, “Non-retired Veterans may claim their active duty military time toward state retirement. After a Veteran’s first retirement contribution has been posted with the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS), they can buy up to 60 months of eligible active duty service” to establish this retirement credit.

To qualify, the veteran must not be eligible for a full military retirement benefit and cannot have a dishonorable discharge.

For more information regarding Texas veterans’ benefits, please visit the Texas Veterans Commission website.

 

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