Texas Disabled Veteran Benefits

If you are a disabled veteran in Texas, or thinking about moving here, this page is the one-stop version of every state-level benefit tied to your U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability rating. It covers the property tax exemption, state income tax (there is none), vehicle and license plate perks through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), state parks and hunting and fishing licenses, education for you and your children, emergency help, and the extra perks for Purple Heart, former prisoner of war, and Medal of Honor recipients. Every figure and rule below comes from an official Texas or federal source, and each one is linked so you can check today's number yourself. One thing to know up front: any question about your actual VA rating (a new claim, an appeal, a higher percentage, or an Individual Unemployability decision) is free through an accredited Veteran Service Officer, so never pay a company for that part.

Property tax exemption

Texas gives disabled veterans some of the strongest property tax relief in the country, and it comes in three separate pieces. Which one applies depends on your rating and which property you are asking about. Property tax is billed and collected by your county, so you always file with your local county appraisal district, never with the state Comptroller directly.

The full exemption (Tax Code Section 11.131) wipes out 100 percent of the appraised value of your residence homestead, the home you actually live in, so the county property tax bill on that home becomes zero. Here is every way to qualify.

A 100 percent schedular service-connected disability rating, with the VA paying you compensation at the 100 percent rate. See Texas Comptroller: 100 Percent Disabled Veteran FAQ.

• A 100 percent schedular service-connected disability rating, with the VA paying you compensation at the 100 percent rate. See Texas Comptroller: 100 Percent Disabled Veteran FAQ.

Individual Unemployability, a VA decision that pays you at the 100 percent rate even though your combined schedular rating is lower. Texas treats a 100 percent schedular rating and an Individual Unemployability determination paid at the 100 percent rate the same way for this exemption, so bring your VA award letter showing the 100 percent compensation rate either way. See Texas Comptroller: 100 Percent Disabled Veteran FAQ.

• Individual Unemployability, a VA decision that pays you at the 100 percent rate even though your combined schedular rating is lower. Texas treats a 100 percent schedular rating and an Individual Unemployability determination paid at the 100 percent rate the same way for this exemption, so bring your VA award letter showing the 100 percent compensation rate either way. See Texas Comptroller: 100 Percent Disabled Veteran FAQ.

Surviving spouse continuation. A surviving spouse who has not remarried keeps the full exemption if the home was the surviving spouse's residence homestead when the veteran died and remains their homestead. If the surviving spouse later moves, the exemption on the new home is capped at the dollar amount received in the last year on the old home, not a fresh full exemption. See Texas Comptroller: 100 Percent Disabled Veteran FAQ.

• Surviving spouse continuation. A surviving spouse who has not remarried keeps the full exemption if the home was the surviving spouse's residence homestead when the veteran died and remains their homestead. If the surviving spouse later moves, the exemption on the new home is capped at the dollar amount received in the last year on the old home, not a fresh full exemption. See Texas Comptroller: 100 Percent Disabled Veteran FAQ.

Surviving spouse of a service member killed in the line of duty. A surviving spouse who has not remarried since the service member's death qualifies for a total residence homestead exemption on their own, separate from the disabled-veteran paths above. See Texas Comptroller: Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ.

• Surviving spouse of a service member killed in the line of duty. A surviving spouse who has not remarried since the service member's death qualifies for a total residence homestead exemption on their own, separate from the disabled-veteran paths above. See Texas Comptroller: Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ.

Scope limit. This full exemption reaches only your residence homestead, not a rental, a second home, or vacant land. Other property you own may still get the tiered exemption below.

• Scope limit. This full exemption reaches only your residence homestead, not a rental, a second home, or vacant land. Other property you own may still get the tiered exemption below.

The tiered exemption (Tax Code Section 11.22) knocks a flat dollar amount off the value of any one property you own, not just your homestead, and it is for veterans rated below the full-exemption threshold. The amount rises with your rating. Source for this table: Texas Comptroller: Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ.

10 percent to 29 percent rating: 5,000 dollars off the property's value.

• 10 percent to 29 percent rating: 5,000 dollars off the property's value.

30 percent to 49 percent rating: 7,500 dollars off.

• 30 percent to 49 percent rating: 7,500 dollars off.

50 percent to 69 percent rating: 10,000 dollars off.

• 50 percent to 69 percent rating: 10,000 dollars off.

70 percent to 100 percent rating (partial, not qualifying for the full homestead exemption): 12,000 dollars off.

• 70 percent to 100 percent rating (partial, not qualifying for the full homestead exemption): 12,000 dollars off.

Alternate path into the top tier: age 65 or older with at least a 10 percent rating, OR totally blind in one or both eyes, OR having lost the use of one or more limbs, gets 12,000 dollars off regardless of the exact percentage.

• Alternate path into the top tier: age 65 or older with at least a 10 percent rating, OR totally blind in one or both eyes, OR having lost the use of one or more limbs, gets 12,000 dollars off regardless of the exact percentage.

Surviving spouse who has not remarried, or a surviving child under 18 and unmarried, may receive this partial exemption tied to the veteran's tier. See Texas Comptroller: Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ.

• Surviving spouse who has not remarried, or a surviving child under 18 and unmarried, may receive this partial exemption tied to the veteran's tier. See Texas Comptroller: Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ.

The donated-home exemption (Tax Code Section 11.132) is a separate path for a veteran rated below 100 percent whose residence homestead was donated by a charitable nonprofit (for example Homes for Our Troops or Tunnel to Towers) for free, or for no more than 50 percent of the home's market value. The exemption equals your disability rating percentage of the home's appraised value, and it can carry to an unremarried surviving spouse. Flag it to your appraisal district if it applies to you. See Texas Tax Code Section 11.132.

There is no income limit and no household income test on any of these veteran property tax exemptions.

Step 1 - Download your VA rating proof. Go to VA.gov: Download your VA benefit letters, sign in, and generate your Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter showing your combined rating (and your Individual Unemployability status if you have it). Save the PDF, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Step 1 - Download your VA rating proof. Go to VA.gov: Download your VA benefit letters, sign in, and generate your Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter showing your combined rating (and your Individual Unemployability status if you have it). Save the PDF, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Step 2 - Decide which exemption fits: the full homestead exemption (100 percent schedular or Individual Unemployability paid at the 100 percent rate, on the home you live in) or the tiered exemption (any lower rating, or any other property you own).

• Step 2 - Decide which exemption fits: the full homestead exemption (100 percent schedular or Individual Unemployability paid at the 100 percent rate, on the home you live in) or the tiered exemption (any lower rating, or any other property you own).

Step 3 - Get Form 50-114, Residence Homestead Exemption Application, from the Texas Comptroller: Property Tax Forms page under Exemption Forms. The disabled veteran homestead section is built into this form.

• Step 3 - Get Form 50-114, Residence Homestead Exemption Application, from the Texas Comptroller: Property Tax Forms page under Exemption Forms. The disabled veteran homestead section is built into this form.

Step 4 - If you are filing for the tiered exemption or as a survivor, also get Form 50-135, Application for Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption, from that same Property Tax Forms page.

• Step 4 - If you are filing for the tiered exemption or as a survivor, also get Form 50-135, Application for Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption, from that same Property Tax Forms page.

Step 5 - Attach your VA Benefit Summary letter as proof of rating, and have your Texas driver's license or ID showing the property address plus your deed or a recent tax bill ready in case the appraisal district asks. A driver's license alone does not replace the VA proof of rating.

• Step 5 - Attach your VA Benefit Summary letter as proof of rating, and have your Texas driver's license or ID showing the property address plus your deed or a recent tax bill ready in case the appraisal district asks. A driver's license alone does not replace the VA proof of rating.

Step 6 - Find your county appraisal district (property tax is local, not run by the Comptroller) at the Texas Comptroller: Local Property Appraisal and Tax Information directory, or search your county name plus appraisal district.

• Step 6 - Find your county appraisal district (property tax is local, not run by the Comptroller) at the Texas Comptroller: Local Property Appraisal and Tax Information directory, or search your county name plus appraisal district.

Step 7 - File the completed form with your county appraisal district by April 30 of the tax year to get it applied that year.

• Step 7 - File the completed form with your county appraisal district by April 30 of the tax year to get it applied that year.

Step 8 - If you missed April 30, file anyway. Texas allows these disabled-veteran exemption applications up to five years after the taxes' delinquency date, so back-filing a year you qualified but never claimed is genuinely possible.

• Step 8 - If you missed April 30, file anyway. Texas allows these disabled-veteran exemption applications up to five years after the taxes' delinquency date, so back-filing a year you qualified but never claimed is genuinely possible.

Step 9 - Confirm it posted by checking your next property tax statement for the exemption line, or call your appraisal district a few weeks after filing.

• Step 9 - Confirm it posted by checking your next property tax statement for the exemption line, or call your appraisal district a few weeks after filing.

State income tax

Texas has no state personal income tax of any kind, so there is no state income tax return to file and no state income tax step to work.

Texas does not tax wages, retirement account withdrawals, business income, investment income, or military retirement pay, because there is no state income tax structure to apply to any of it. This is not a veteran-only carve-out; it applies to every Texas resident. See Texas Comptroller: Property Tax Exemptions overview for the state's tax context.

• Texas does not tax wages, retirement account withdrawals, business income, investment income, or military retirement pay, because there is no state income tax structure to apply to any of it. This is not a veteran-only carve-out; it applies to every Texas resident. See Texas Comptroller: Property Tax Exemptions overview for the state's tax context.

Your VA disability compensation is tax-free at the federal level too, in every state including Texas, under federal law. Confirm the current-year rule in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income.

• Your VA disability compensation is tax-free at the federal level too, in every state including Texas, under federal law. Confirm the current-year rule in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income.

There is no Texas veteran income tax credit, because there is no state income tax to credit against.

• There is no Texas veteran income tax credit, because there is no state income tax to credit against.

Step 1 - File nothing at the state level for Texas income tax; there is no return.

• Step 1 - File nothing at the state level for Texas income tax; there is no return.

Step 2 - If you still owe a return in another state (income sourced there, or a recent move), confirm with that state's tax agency how your Texas residency affects it. A multi-state situation is worth a paid preparer's time if it is not simple.

• Step 2 - If you still owe a return in another state (income sourced there, or a recent move), confirm with that state's tax agency how your Texas residency affects it. A multi-state situation is worth a paid preparer's time if it is not simple.

Vehicle plates and registration (TxDMV)

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) issues a Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate, which you apply for at your county tax assessor-collector's office. Separately, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) waives tolls for qualifying veterans on the toll roads it operates.

You qualify for the DV plate with a service-connected disability rating of at least 50 percent, and the VA paying you compensation for it.

• You qualify for the DV plate with a service-connected disability rating of at least 50 percent, and the VA paying you compensation for it.

You also qualify at a lower threshold, at least 40 percent, if the disability is due to amputation of a lower extremity. Source for both: TxDMV: Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates.

• You also qualify at a lower threshold, at least 40 percent, if the disability is due to amputation of a lower extremity. Source for both: TxDMV: Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates.

Parking add-on. A plain DV plate does not by itself let you park in disabled spaces. For that you need a disabled parking placard, or a DV plate that carries the International Symbol of Access (ISA), so check that box if you want parking privileges. See TxDMV: Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates.

• Parking add-on. A plain DV plate does not by itself let you park in disabled spaces. For that you need a disabled parking placard, or a DV plate that carries the International Symbol of Access (ISA), so check that box if you want parking privileges. See TxDMV: Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates.

Step 1 - Get your VA proof. Download your Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter at VA.gov: Download your VA benefit letters, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Step 1 - Get your VA proof. Download your Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter at VA.gov: Download your VA benefit letters, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Step 2 - Get Form VTR-615, Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and Parking Placards, from TxDMV: Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates.

• Step 2 - Get Form VTR-615, Application for Disabled Veteran License Plates and Parking Placards, from TxDMV: Disabled Parking, Placards and Plates.

Step 3 - If you also want a separate parking placard, get Form VTR-214, Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard, from that same TxDMV page.

• Step 3 - If you also want a separate parking placard, get Form VTR-214, Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard, from that same TxDMV page.

Step 4 - Attach your VA proof of rating to the form.

• Step 4 - Attach your VA proof of rating to the form.

Step 5 - File the application at your county tax assessor-collector's office, not at TxDMV directly. Find yours at the Texas Comptroller: county directory, or search your county name plus tax assessor-collector.

• Step 5 - File the application at your county tax assessor-collector's office, not at TxDMV directly. Find yours at the Texas Comptroller: county directory, or search your county name plus tax assessor-collector.

Step 6 - Before you pay, ask the clerk to confirm which registration and plate fees are waived on your plate and what still applies this year, since those amounts change.

• Step 6 - Before you pay, ask the clerk to confirm which registration and plate fees are waived on your plate and what still applies this year, since those amounts change.

On TxDOT-operated toll roads, tolls are waived for eligible veterans with a qualifying Texas DV plate, with no separate sign-up for those roads. This does not cover privately or regionally run toll roads and managed lanes. See TxDOT Veterans Discount Program.

Step 7 - Before assuming a toll road is free, check whether it is TxDOT-operated (covered automatically) or privately or regionally managed such as the Dallas-Fort Worth area LBJ TEXpress and North Tarrant Express lanes (not covered).

• Step 7 - Before assuming a toll road is free, check whether it is TxDOT-operated (covered automatically) or privately or regionally managed such as the Dallas-Fort Worth area LBJ TEXpress and North Tarrant Express lanes (not covered).

Step 8 - If you regularly drive a regional toll road, enroll in that authority's own veteran program, for example the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Qualified Service Member Program, or Harris County's HCTRA veteran discount, by searching your toll authority's name plus disabled veteran discount.

• Step 8 - If you regularly drive a regional toll road, enroll in that authority's own veteran program, for example the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Qualified Service Member Program, or Harris County's HCTRA veteran discount, by searching your toll authority's name plus disabled veteran discount.

On the horizon, not law yet: a proposed bill, House Bill 235, would create a Texas sales and use tax exemption on up to 25,000 dollars per year in purchases for a veteran rated 100 percent. It has not passed and is not in effect, so do not plan around it. Check its current status at the Texas Legislature Online bill lookup before assuming it applies to you.

Recreation: state parks and hunting and fishing

Texas Parks and Wildlife offers free state park entry passports and a free hunting and fishing license package for qualifying veterans.

Disabled Veterans Parklands Passport: for a service-connected rating of 60 percent or more, or loss of a lower extremity. It covers free entry for the veteran and one companion. See Texas Parks and Wildlife: Texas Parklands Passports.

• Disabled Veterans Parklands Passport: for a service-connected rating of 60 percent or more, or loss of a lower extremity. It covers free entry for the veteran and one companion. See Texas Parks and Wildlife: Texas Parklands Passports.

Veterans Passport: for any honorable discharge, no rating required. It covers the veteran only. Same source: Texas Parks and Wildlife: Texas Parklands Passports.

• Veterans Passport: for any honorable discharge, no rating required. It covers the veteran only. Same source: Texas Parks and Wildlife: Texas Parklands Passports.

Disabled Veteran Super Combo hunting and all-water fishing package: for a service-connected rating of 50 percent or more with compensation, or loss of use of a foot or leg. It is a free resident hunting and all-water fishing license bundled with five endorsements, and it is available to qualifying veterans whether or not they are Texas residents. See Texas Parks and Wildlife: Disabled Veteran Super Combo.

• Disabled Veteran Super Combo hunting and all-water fishing package: for a service-connected rating of 50 percent or more with compensation, or loss of use of a foot or leg. It is a free resident hunting and all-water fishing license bundled with five endorsements, and it is available to qualifying veterans whether or not they are Texas residents. See Texas Parks and Wildlife: Disabled Veteran Super Combo.

Step 1 - For a park passport, gather your ID: a Department of Defense veteran ID card, a Texas license or ID with a veteran designation, your DD-214 showing honorable discharge, or a VA Veteran Health Identification Card. For the Disabled Veterans version, also bring one of: your Disabled Veteran Texas plate receipt, your VA award letter showing your rating, or your Texas veteran property tax exemption letter.

• Step 1 - For a park passport, gather your ID: a Department of Defense veteran ID card, a Texas license or ID with a veteran designation, your DD-214 showing honorable discharge, or a VA Veteran Health Identification Card. For the Disabled Veterans version, also bring one of: your Disabled Veteran Texas plate receipt, your VA award letter showing your rating, or your Texas veteran property tax exemption letter.

Step 2 - Take that ID plus a photo ID to any Texas State Park and ask for the passport at the entrance. Both passports are issued in person; there is no online application.

• Step 2 - Take that ID plus a photo ID to any Texas State Park and ask for the passport at the entrance. Both passports are issued in person; there is no online application.

Step 3 - For the Super Combo license, get VA proof of your rating dated within the last 12 months, or a Texas driver's license marked with a Disabled Veteran designation.

• Step 3 - For the Super Combo license, get VA proof of your rating dated within the last 12 months, or a Texas driver's license marked with a Disabled Veteran designation.

Step 4 - Take that proof in person to a licensed license retailer (any sporting goods store that sells Texas hunting and fishing licenses); this package is not sold online.

• Step 4 - Take that proof in person to a licensed license retailer (any sporting goods store that sells Texas hunting and fishing licenses); this package is not sold online.

Education: the Hazlewood Act and Hazlewood Legacy

The Hazlewood Act is a Texas exemption of up to 150 credit hours of tuition and most fees at Texas public colleges and universities. The Hazlewood Legacy provision lets a qualifying veteran transfer unused hours to a child. This is an education benefit only; it does not touch your VA claim or rating.

The veteran's own Hazlewood eligibility: an honorable discharge (or discharge under honorable conditions), at least 181 days of active duty (training generally excluded), and the Texas residency conditions. You do not need any particular VA rating to use your own 150 hours. See Texas Veterans Commission: Hazlewood Act.

• The veteran's own Hazlewood eligibility: an honorable discharge (or discharge under honorable conditions), at least 181 days of active duty (training generally excluded), and the Texas residency conditions. You do not need any particular VA rating to use your own 150 hours. See Texas Veterans Commission: Hazlewood Act.

Residency condition: for exemptions first received in fall 2011 or later, you generally must have entered active duty from Texas (or designated Texas as your home of record) and must live in Texas during each term you claim it.

• Residency condition: for exemptions first received in fall 2011 or later, you generally must have entered active duty from Texas (or designated Texas as your home of record) and must live in Texas during each term you claim it.

Hazlewood Legacy transfer: available if you are rated 100 percent permanent and total service-connected disabled (or Individual Unemployability due to service), or if the veteran died from a service-connected cause or in the line of duty, and you have unused hours to transfer. See Texas Veterans Commission: Hazlewood Act.

• Hazlewood Legacy transfer: available if you are rated 100 percent permanent and total service-connected disabled (or Individual Unemployability due to service), or if the veteran died from a service-connected cause or in the line of duty, and you have unused hours to transfer. See Texas Veterans Commission: Hazlewood Act.

The Legacy child must be your biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or a claimed tax dependent, and must be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the term (the benefit ends at age 26).

• The Legacy child must be your biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or a claimed tax dependent, and must be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the term (the benefit ends at age 26).

What it covers: tuition and most mandatory fees at Texas public institutions. It does not cover living expenses, books, or supply fees.

• What it covers: tuition and most mandatory fees at Texas public institutions. It does not cover living expenses, books, or supply fees.

Step 1 - Gather your DD-214, proof of Texas residency, and (for a Legacy transfer) your VA letter showing the 100 percent permanent and total rating dated within the last year.

• Step 1 - Gather your DD-214, proof of Texas residency, and (for a Legacy transfer) your VA letter showing the 100 percent permanent and total rating dated within the last year.

Step 2 - Create an account at the Texas Veterans Commission Hazlewood student portal using your Social Security number or Department of Defense ID, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

• Step 2 - Create an account at the Texas Veterans Commission Hazlewood student portal using your Social Security number or Department of Defense ID, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue with the next step.

Step 3 - Complete Form TVC-ED-1, the Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application, through that portal or from Texas Veterans Commission: Hazlewood Act. For a Legacy transfer, you and your child complete the transfer documentation the portal describes.

• Step 3 - Complete Form TVC-ED-1, the Texas Hazlewood Act Exemption Application, through that portal or from Texas Veterans Commission: Hazlewood Act. For a Legacy transfer, you and your child complete the transfer documentation the portal describes.

Step 4 - Submit the application and documents to your school's Veterans Affairs certifying official, since the school certifies your enrollment each term, not the Commission directly.

• Step 4 - Submit the application and documents to your school's Veterans Affairs certifying official, since the school certifies your enrollment each term, not the Commission directly.

Step 5 - Submit before your school's semester enrollment deadline, and re-file each term you or your child uses the benefit, because it is certified per term, not once.

• Step 5 - Submit before your school's semester enrollment deadline, and re-file each term you or your child uses the benefit, because it is certified per term, not once.

Step 6 - If you get stuck, email hazlewood@tvc.texas.gov or call the Texas Veterans Commission Education program at 512-463-3168.

• Step 6 - If you get stuck, email hazlewood@tvc.texas.gov or call the Texas Veterans Commission Education program at 512-463-3168.

Emergency help and other support

If you need help fast, or you want the rest of the state-level support, start with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), the state's central veterans agency. Below are the emergency grant network, state veterans homes and cemeteries, hiring preference, a business fee waiver, and how to reach a free county Veteran Service Officer.

Fund for Veterans' Assistance emergency help. The Texas Veterans Commission runs the Fund for Veterans' Assistance, which funds local nonprofits and veteran service organizations that then provide temporary emergency financial help for basic needs (rent, utilities, and similar) to veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses in Texas. Important: the Fund awards grants to organizations, not directly to individuals, so you apply for help through a funded local organization, not to the state. Find the program and its grantees at Texas Veterans Commission: Grants.

• Fund for Veterans' Assistance emergency help. The Texas Veterans Commission runs the Fund for Veterans' Assistance, which funds local nonprofits and veteran service organizations that then provide temporary emergency financial help for basic needs (rent, utilities, and similar) to veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses in Texas. Important: the Fund awards grants to organizations, not directly to individuals, so you apply for help through a funded local organization, not to the state. Find the program and its grantees at Texas Veterans Commission: Grants.

Texas Veterans Commission help line. Call 1-800-252-8387 or visit tvc.texas.gov to be pointed to the right emergency resource near you.

• Texas Veterans Commission help line. Call 1-800-252-8387 or visit tvc.texas.gov to be pointed to the right emergency resource near you.

Texas State Veterans Homes (skilled nursing care), run by the Texas Veterans Land Board within the Texas General Land Office (GLO). A veteran with a 70 percent or higher service-connected rating can generally live there at no cost. Spouses, unremarried surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents who meet residency can also qualify. See Texas General Land Office: Texas State Veterans Homes.

• Texas State Veterans Homes (skilled nursing care), run by the Texas Veterans Land Board within the Texas General Land Office (GLO). A veteran with a 70 percent or higher service-connected rating can generally live there at no cost. Spouses, unremarried surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents who meet residency can also qualify. See Texas General Land Office: Texas State Veterans Homes.

Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. Burial of an eligible veteran, spouse, and dependents is at no charge, with no Texas residency requirement, at locations including Abilene, Killeen, Mission, and Corpus Christi. See Texas General Land Office: Burial Benefits.

• Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. Burial of an eligible veteran, spouse, and dependents is at no charge, with no Texas residency requirement, at locations including Abilene, Killeen, Mission, and Corpus Christi. See Texas General Land Office: Burial Benefits.

State hiring preference. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 657, a qualifying veteran gets preference in state-agency hiring over equally qualified applicants; it expands for a disabled veteran and for certain spouses. It is a qualifications-based tiebreaker, not the added-points system used in federal hiring. See Texas Government Code Chapter 657.

• State hiring preference. Under Texas Government Code Chapter 657, a qualifying veteran gets preference in state-agency hiring over equally qualified applicants; it expands for a disabled veteran and for certain spouses. It is a qualifications-based tiebreaker, not the added-points system used in federal hiring. See Texas Government Code Chapter 657.

Veteran-owned new business waiver. A new business verified as 100 percent owned by honorably discharged veterans can have the state formation fee waived and receive a waiver of state franchise tax for its first five years, made permanent in 2025. See Texas Veterans Commission: verify a veteran-owned business and Texas Secretary of State: Business Information for Veterans.

• Veteran-owned new business waiver. A new business verified as 100 percent owned by honorably discharged veterans can have the state formation fee waived and receive a waiver of state franchise tax for its first five years, made permanent in 2025. See Texas Veterans Commission: verify a veteran-owned business and Texas Secretary of State: Business Information for Veterans.

Free claims help from a county Veteran Service Officer. For anything about your VA rating, this help is free and you should never pay a company. Find your county officer or a Texas Veterans Commission claims counselor through Texas Veterans Commission: Claims, or the VA accredited representative search.

• Free claims help from a county Veteran Service Officer. For anything about your VA rating, this help is free and you should never pay a company. Find your county officer or a Texas Veterans Commission claims counselor through Texas Veterans Commission: Claims, or the VA accredited representative search.

Step 1 - For emergency financial help, call the Texas Veterans Commission at 1-800-252-8387 and ask which funded local organization near you provides emergency assistance, then apply directly to that organization.

• Step 1 - For emergency financial help, call the Texas Veterans Commission at 1-800-252-8387 and ask which funded local organization near you provides emergency assistance, then apply directly to that organization.

Step 2 - For a state veterans home, contact the Texas General Land Office: Texas State Veterans Homes page to start an application and ask about bed availability nearest you.

• Step 2 - For a state veterans home, contact the Texas General Land Office: Texas State Veterans Homes page to start an application and ask about bed availability nearest you.

Step 3 - For state hiring preference, apply through the specific state agency's job posting, mark your veteran and disability status where asked, and have your DD-214 and current VA rating letter ready.

• Step 3 - For state hiring preference, apply through the specific state agency's job posting, mark your veteran and disability status where asked, and have your DD-214 and current VA rating letter ready.

Step 4 - For the business waiver, get your business verified as veteran-owned through the Texas Veterans Commission before you file your formation papers with the Secretary of State, so the fee waiver applies from day one.

• Step 4 - For the business waiver, get your business verified as veteran-owned through the Texas Veterans Commission before you file your formation papers with the Secretary of State, so the fee waiver applies from day one.

Step 5 - For any VA claim, appeal, higher rating, or Individual Unemployability question, book a free county Veteran Service Officer through Texas Veterans Commission: Claims, then come back to ratednowwhat.com for the rest of your state benefits.

• Step 5 - For any VA claim, appeal, higher rating, or Individual Unemployability question, book a free county Veteran Service Officer through Texas Veterans Commission: Claims, then come back to ratednowwhat.com for the rest of your state benefits.

Purple Heart, former prisoner of war, and Medal of Honor perks

Texas offers special recognition license plates for combat-decorated and captured veterans, most with the plate fee waived, plus parking benefits. These are separate from the Disabled Veteran plate and can be held alongside it.

Medal of Honor and Prisoner of War Medal plates carry no specialty plate fee for the first set, under the state's military meritorious service plate rules. Additional sets require the normal county registration fee. See TxDMV: For Our Troops.

• Medal of Honor and Prisoner of War Medal plates carry no specialty plate fee for the first set, under the state's military meritorious service plate rules. Additional sets require the normal county registration fee. See TxDMV: For Our Troops.

Purple Heart, Former Prisoner of War, and Legion of Valor plates are available to eligible recipients, and these honor plates generally exempt the holder from municipal (city) parking meter fees. Confirm current details at TxDMV: For Our Troops.

• Purple Heart, Former Prisoner of War, and Legion of Valor plates are available to eligible recipients, and these honor plates generally exempt the holder from municipal (city) parking meter fees. Confirm current details at TxDMV: For Our Troops.

A surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible to keep certain military plates; see TxDMV Form VTR-425, Application for Surviving Spouse of a Veteran License Plates.

• A surviving spouse of a veteran may be eligible to keep certain military plates; see TxDMV Form VTR-425, Application for Surviving Spouse of a Veteran License Plates.

Step 1 - Gather proof you received the medal or honor (for example your DD-214 showing the award, or the award citation) plus proof of honorable discharge.

• Step 1 - Gather proof you received the medal or honor (for example your DD-214 showing the award, or the award citation) plus proof of honorable discharge.

Step 2 - Get the correct military specialty plate application from TxDMV: For Our Troops, for example Form VTR-421 for meritorious service plates, or call TxDMV at 1-888-368-4689 to confirm which form fits your award, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue.

• Step 2 - Get the correct military specialty plate application from TxDMV: For Our Troops, for example Form VTR-421 for meritorious service plates, or call TxDMV at 1-888-368-4689 to confirm which form fits your award, then come back to ratednowwhat.com and continue.

Step 3 - File the application at your county tax assessor-collector's office and ask them to confirm the fee waiver on your first set of plates before you pay.

• Step 3 - File the application at your county tax assessor-collector's office and ask them to confirm the fee waiver on your first set of plates before you pay.

Print-and-take checklist

☐ Downloaded my VA Benefit Summary and Service Verification Letter at va.gov/records/download-va-letters

☐ Decided whether I qualify for the full homestead exemption (100 percent, or Individual Unemployability paid at the 100 percent rate) or the tiered exemption (a lower rating, or another property I own)

☐ Downloaded Form 50-114 (Residence Homestead Exemption) and, if needed, Form 50-135 (Disabled Veteran's or Survivor's Exemption) from the Texas Comptroller forms page

☐ Found my county appraisal district at the Comptroller county directory

☐ Filed my exemption with the county appraisal district by April 30, or checked the five-year back-file window

☐ Confirmed the exemption posted on my next property tax statement

☐ If a charity donated my home and I am rated under 100 percent, asked my appraisal district about the Section 11.132 donated-home exemption

☐ Confirmed there is no Texas state income tax return to file, and that my VA disability compensation is not taxed

☐ Downloaded Form VTR-615 (Disabled Veteran plate) and, for parking, Form VTR-214 (placard), and filed at my county tax assessor-collector

☐ Asked my county tax office to confirm current plate and registration fees before paying

☐ Checked whether the toll road I drive is TxDOT-operated (automatic waiver) or regional (needs its own enrollment)

☐ Got my Texas Parklands Passport in person at any state park with my ID and VA award letter or DD-214

☐ Picked up my Disabled Veteran Super Combo hunting and fishing license in person, with VA proof dated within 12 months

☐ If I have kids and I am rated 100 percent permanent and total, registered at hazlewood.tvc.texas.gov and started my own or my child's Hazlewood application

☐ Saved the Texas Veterans Commission line, 1-800-252-8387, for emergency help and to find a funded local assistance organization

☐ If starting a veteran-owned business, got it verified through the Texas Veterans Commission before filing formation paperwork

☐ If I hold a Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, or Former Prisoner of War award, applied for the honor plate through TxDMV and asked about the fee waiver

☐ Routed any VA claim, appeal, higher-rating request, or Individual Unemployability question to a free accredited Veteran Service Officer, never a paid company

Education only. Not the VA, not a government agency, and not financial, tax, or legal advice. Help with a VA claim or rating is always free through a VA-accredited Veteran Service Officer. Rules and amounts change; verify with the official source before you act.

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