Beyond your federal VA disability compensation, Texas offers its own benefits for veterans — property tax, education, employment, vehicle, recreation. Here's what Texas veterans can claim, who qualifies, and how to apply.
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Texas Partial Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption — flat dollar amount deducted from the homestead's assessed value, scaled by VA disability rating: 10–29% rating = $5,000 off; 30–49% = $7,500 off; 50–69% = $10,000 off; 70–99% = $12,000 off. NOT a full exemption — applies only to a flat dollar amount of assessed value. Eligible vets at 100% / IU should use the Total Property Tax Exemption instead (id=1). Veterans 65+ with at least 10% disability automatically receive the $12,000 amount regardless of rating. File Form 50-114 with the county appraisal district.
How to claim: File Form 50-114 with county appraisal district with VA disability rating letter.
Texas 100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption — total exemption from all ad valorem property taxes on the veteran's residence homestead, with NO cap on home value. Eligible: veterans rated 100% service-connected by the VA, OR paid at the 100% rate due to Individual Unemployability (IU) — Texas treats IU the same as 100% schedular. Unremarried surviving spouse keeps the full exemption for life on the same homestead. Applies only to the homestead (one residence, plus up to 20 acres if used for residential purposes). File Form 50-114 with the county appraisal district (NOT the tax office); deadline April 30, with up to 5 years of retroactive filing allowed.
How to claim: File Form 50-114 with county appraisal district. Provide VA award letter showing 100% rating or 100% IU.
Texas Hazlewood Act — exempts qualified Texas veterans from tuition and most fees at Texas public colleges/universities for up to 150 credit hours. Eligibility: entered service from Texas (Texas residency at enlistment), 181+ days active duty, honorable discharge, ineligible for federal GI Bill education benefits OR has exhausted them. The Hazlewood Legacy Act allows transfer of UNUSED hours to one dependent child (under 26) of a Texas veteran — but only if the veteran is currently a Texas resident. Federally administered "Hazlewood for Spouses" applies to surviving spouses of KIA / 100% P&T / MIA / POW veterans.
How to claim: Apply through the school's veterans/financial aid office with DD-214 and Hazlewood form; verification through Texas Veterans Commission.
Preference in state government hiring for disabled veterans.
How to claim: Indicate veteran status on state job applications. Provide DD-214 and VA disability letter.
Free specialized license plates for veterans with 50%+ disability. Plates exempt one vehicle from registration fees.
How to claim: Apply at your county tax office with VA disability letter and vehicle title.
One vehicle registration fee waived for veterans with 50%+ disability who have DV plates.
How to claim: Automatic when using DV plates at county tax office.
Veterans with 60%+ disability receive a free Texas State Parks Pass.
How to claim: Apply online at Texas Parks & Wildlife or at any state park entrance. Bring VA disability letter.
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Texas offers veteran benefits across property tax, education, employment, vehicle, recreation. Highlights include Partial Property Tax Exemption, Total Property Tax Exemption, Hazlewood Act Education Benefits. Eligibility varies — some benefits require a VA disability rating, 100% P&T status, or combat service.
Texas Partial Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption — flat dollar amount deducted from the homestead's assessed value, scaled by VA disability rating: 10–29% rating = $5,000 off; 30–49% = $7,500 off; 50–69% = $10,000 off; 70–99% = $12,000 off. NOT a full exemption — applies only to a flat dollar amou
Many state benefits are tied to your VA disability rating — the higher your rating, the more you may qualify for. Use the free VA Ready calculator to confirm your combined rating, then check which state benefits you've earned.