Course Credit For Military Service
An institution of higher education will award to an undergraduate student course credit for all physical education courses required by the institution for an undergraduate degree and for additional semester credit hours that can be applied to satisfy any elective course requirements for the student’s degree program for courses outside the student’s major or minor if the student:
- graduated from a public or private high school accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the United States Department of Defense and
- is an honorably discharged former member of the armed forces of the United States who:
- completed at least two years of service in the armed forces or
- was discharged because of a disability.
Veteran Designation Driver’s License
The Texas Department of Public Safety offers veterans a special veteran designation on the states drivers license. To prove eligibility for this designation, a veteran must visit a Department of Motor Vehicles office and present military discharge documents showing an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions.
Texas Property Tax Exemption For Veterans
Disabled veterans, and surviving spouses and dependent children of service members who died while on active duty, are eligible for state property tax exemptions. A disabled veteran must have a service-connected disability rated at least 10% to be eligible for this exemption. Disabled veterans receive exemptions based on their percentage of disability. 100% disabled veterans receive a waiver of all property taxes.
Surviving spouses and dependent children can get a $5,000 property tax exemption.
Apply for the property tax exemption using Form 50-135 and submit it to your County Appraisal Office.
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Free Lifetime Vehicle Registration
When my husband first received his rating, we lived in Washington state. I was so excited to learn that we were now eligible for free lifetime vehicle registration!
We were given permanent registration tags for one vehicle, and we never had to renew it. Of course, we moved out of state and ruined that but it was great while it lasted!
Many states offer discounts on vehicle registration for veterans, usually those with a 100% rating and sometimes those with a 25-50% rating as well. This is one of my favorite extra benefits for 100% disabled veterans, so we have a full list here.
Texas Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License
Available to a resident or non-resident qualifying as a disabled veteran, as defined by the Veterans Administration, consisting of the loss of the use of a foot or leg, or a disability rating of 50% or more, and who is receiving compensation from the U.S. for the disability. Official proof of disability or a Texas Driver License with Disabled Veteran designation must be shown each year when applying for this license and must state the rate of disability. Official proof can be digital or hard copy.
Only available in person at a licensed retailer
The Disabled Veteran Super Combo Package includes a hunting and fishing license and five state endorsements. The package includes:
- Resident hunting license
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The Fund For Veterans Assistance
The Fund for Veterans Assistance is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The Fund is composed of money deposited from a Texas Lottery Commission Veterans Assistance game, donations from vehicle registration and drivers license renewals, donations from License to Carry renewals, donations from hunting and fishing license renewals, gifts and grants contributed to the Fund, and the earnings of the Fund.
TVC is authorized to administer the Fund and make reimbursement grants to address the needs of veterans and their families, as determined through veteran needs assessment studies. All grant awards are made through a competitive grant selection process.
TVC annually announces funding opportunities for five different grants including General Assistance Grants, Housing for Texas Heroes Grants, Veterans Mental Health Grants, Veteran Treatment Courts Grants, and Veteran County Service Office Grants.
Find more information about this program on the TVC grants Website.
Information For Persons Forming A Veteran
Effective January 1, 2022, you may again form a “new veteran-owned business” as defined by Senate Bill 938 . A new veteran-owned business is not subject to certain filing fees and the Texas franchise tax until the earlier of the fifth anniversary of the entity’s existence or the date the business ceases to qualify as a new veteran-owned business.
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Hunting And Fishing Licsense
Texas Veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating, or who suffered the loss of a foot or leg as the result of their military service, can get a free “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package. This benefit is available to Veterans living in Texas and those from other states who want to participate in these recreational activities in Texas as well.
I Only Get Va Disability Can This Be Claimed For Child Support Payments
Yes, child support payments can be deducted from VA disability payments. This process is called apportionment and is very similar to garnishment. A portion of your VA disability is deducted from your paycheck and sent to another person. The parent with physical custody can claim a portion of the disability payments as child support from the parent who has visitation.
Apportionment is not automatic. The parent who is asking for child support must apply for apportionment by filling out VA Form 21-0788 and submitting it to the listed address on the form.
The VA considers the following when deciding apportionment for child support:
- Is the child support claim so small that it isnt worth apportioning?
- Has your child been legally adopted by another person?
- Is your child at least 18 or has you child entered active military service?
Most likely, whatever the court order set as the child support amount will be apportioned for your childs benefits.
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Texas Veterans Legal Assistance Project
Provided by: Texas Legal Services Center
The Texas Veterans Legal Assistance Project is a Texas Legal Services Center statewide project to expand the availability of legal assistance to low-income Texas Veterans and their families, with a focus on outreach to the disabled Veterans who live in rural areas of the state. There is no charge for their service, which is provided by telephone to eligible Veterans, at 1-800-622-2520, Option 2.
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Home And Land Loans For Texas Veterans
Texas provides several programs to help veterans purchase a home or land.
Texas Veterans Land BoardThrough the Texas Veterans Land Board, Texas veterans can receive financing on any tract of land that a veteran would like to purchase. The VLB is a self-supporting organization, funded solely by bonds and fees. Any veteran who has applied for a land loan on or after Dec. 1, 2007, may be eligible for financing through the VLB.
Veterans Housing Assistance and Home Improvement ProgramThrough the Veterans Housing Assistance and Home Improvement Program, eligible veterans with disabilities can receive an interest rate reduction when buying a home. To qualify, the veteran must show a documented compensable service-connected disability of at least 30% and meet any other eligibility requirements. An award letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be required as documentation. All Texas Veterans Land Board loans are subject to credit approval.
Veterans Housing Assistance ProgramThe Veterans Housing Assistance Program provides Texas veterans with financing toward the purchase of a home. These home loans may originate through the Texas Veterans Land Board. They stipulate no maximum home price, and loan terms can be 15, 20, 25, or 30 years. Keep in mind that the VHAP is only available for a first lien on a primary residence not for refinancing or for use as a down payment.
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Veteran Homes In Texas
Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term care for Texas Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star Parents.
Conveniently located across Texas, each first-class facility is designed to enhance the quality of life with a clean, caring and dignified setting appropriate to those men and women who have served our country with honor.
There are nine homes for Texas Veterans in the following Texas cities:
Because the VA subsidizes much of a Veterans cost to stay at a VLB Texas State Veterans Home, daily out-of-pocket rates are well below average and include the cost of medications for Veterans.
Residents can choose between a spacious private or semi-private room based upon availability.
Memory Care units at each home provide highly specialized care, including beautifully landscaped, secure courtyards.
Like all VLB programs, the Texas State Veterans Homes are self-supporting and cost Texas taxpayers virtually nothing.
Special Policy For Residents Of Harris County:
Residence Homestead: “Residence homestead” means a structure or a separately secured and occupied portion of a structure that: is owned by one or more individuals, either directly or through a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust is designed or adapted for human residence is used as a residence and is occupied as the individual’s principal residence by an owner, by an owner’s surviving spouse who has a life estate in the property, or, for property owned through a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust, by a trustor or beneficiary of the trust who qualifies for the exemption.
10-90% Disabled veterans that are over 65 may apply for three exemptions:
A disabled veteran may also qualify for an exemption of $12,000 of the assessed value of the property if the veteran is age 65 or older with a disability rating of at least 10 percent totally blind in one or both eyes or has lost use of one or more limbs.
May I file for a disabled veteran’s exemption after the deadline has passed?Yes. The deadline for filing for a disabled veteran’s exemption is between January 1 and April 30 of the tax year. However, you may file for a disabled veteran’s exemption up to one year from the delinquency date. To file for a disabled veteran’s exemption, you must complete the Application for Disabled Veteran’s or Survivor’s Exemptions form and submit it to the appraisal district in which the property is located.
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Percent Disabled Veteran And Surviving Spouse Frequently Asked Questions
Translation:
Tax Code Section 11.131 provides an exemption of the total appraised value of the residence homestead of Texas veterans awarded 100 percent compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs due to a 100 percent disability rating or determination of individual unemployability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
No. This exemption only applies to a disabled veteran’s residence homestead.
Disabled veterans owning property other than a residence homestead may qualify for a different exemption under Tax Code Section 11.22, which can be applied to any property the disabled veteran owns. Additional information on the qualification, application deadlines and how to apply for the disabled veteran exemption is available in the Disabled Veteran and Surviving Spouse FAQ. An eligible disabled veteran may receive both exemptions.
Yes. A disabled veteran with a service-connected disability awarded 100 percent disability compensation and a disability rating of 100 percent is eligible for this exemption.
No. A disabled veteran with a service-connected disability awarded 100 percent disability compensation is eligible for this exemption if he or she is either 100 percent disabled or is unemployable.
The deadline for filing an exemption is April 30. However, the Tax Code allows applications for certain exemptions to be filed after the deadline has passed.
The total appraised value of the disabled veteran’s residence homestead.
Texas Disabled Veterans Educational Assistance Program
TheHazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that providesqualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefitof up to 150 hours of tuition-free college at state schools. This does NOTinclude living expenses, books, or supply fees.
Texas Disabled Veterans Educational Assistance
To be eligible for the Hazlewood Act in Texas, a Veteran must:
- At the time of entry into active duty the U.S. Armed Forces,
- Designated Texas as Home of Record or
- Entered the service in Texas or
- Was a Texas resident
To be eligible for the Hazlewood Act in Texas the spouse of the Veteran must:
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Texas Veteran Affairs Disability Benefits Lawyer
If you are a military veteran with an injury, illness or mental health condition connected to your time in service that impacts your daily life, you most likely qualify for financial assistance through Veteran Affairs disability benefits. More than 5.2 million veterans currently receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Yet many of these vets had to fight for financial compensation against adversity, such as unfair dealings by the VA and wrongful claim rejections. Our veterans law firm is committed to providing the high-quality, diligent representation and advice that you deserve.
For assistance filing your Veteran Affairs disability benefits claim in Texas, contact a lawyer at Stone Rose Law. We can help you file a claim, appeal a claim denial, request an increase of your benefits, and more. Call 498-8998 today for a free consultation.
Veteran Benefits For Texas
The state of Texas offers many veteran benefits for service members and Veterans that have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. These benefits include income and property tax exemptions, financial exemptions, education and training programs, hunting and fishing licenses, vehicle registrations, and assistance with employment. Your residency, military career, and disability status may result in certain differences in what benefits you may be eligible for. The following are benefits for the state of Texas.
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Texas Veterans Mean Business
Texas Veterans Mean Business is a weekly podcast hosted by the TVCs Veteran Entrepreneur Program. Program highlights touch on business topics of interest to the Texas veteran and small business communities. Texas Veterans Mean Business is available for listening on Spotify, RadioPublic, Google Podcasts, and Breaker.
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
Visit the following website for more information:
Total property tax exemption on Homesteads for veterans with a 100% disability rating or a determination of Individual Unemployability and their surviving spouses.
Veterans with 10 90% VA disability can get a reduction of their homes assessed value from $5,000 $12,000 depending on disability percentage. Surviving spouses also qualify.
WHAT TO SUBMIT:
- Form 50-114- complete and notarized
- VA Disability Letter showing 100% VA disability
- ID with address matching residence homestead
Some counties offer homestead tax exemptions for veterans.
Administration of rules and can vary considerably by county.
Please contact your local Appraisal District to verify your tax exemption.
For general policy questions, contact the State Comptrollers Property Tax Question Line: 512-305-9999
Non-Primary Residence of a 100% Disabled Veteran
Visit following link for more information:
Eligibility:
- Form 50-135- complete and notarized
- VA Disability Letter showing % VA disability
Land/Home Loans
Is There A Texas Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Yes, veterans in Texas with a 10% to 90% service connected VA disability rating can get a reduction of their homes assessed value from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on their disability rating percentage.
Texas is one of 16 states that offers full property tax exemptions for 100 percent disabled veterans.
Texas veterans with a 100% scheduler VA rating, 100% Individual Unemployability VA rating , OR a 100% Permanent and Total VA disability rating are exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence.
Texas Veteran Property Tax Exemption Calculator
| VA Disability Rating | Texas Property Tax Exemption Amount |
| 10% to 29% | $5,000 from the propertys value |
| 30% to 49% | $7,500 from the propertys value |
| 50% to 69% | $10,000 from the propertys value |
| 70% to 90% | $12,000 from the propertys value |
| 100% scheduler, 100% P& T, or 100% TDIU | Tax exempt with no limits |
Surviving spouses also qualify. Disabled Veterans are required to apply for residence homesteads owned by veterans or surviving family each year.
The deadline for filing for a disabled veterans exemption is between January 1 and April 30 of the tax year.
However, you may file for a disabled veterans exemption up to one year from the delinquency date.
Property taxes for veterans in Texas are locally assessed and administered by each county.
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Use Of Commissaries Exchanges And Morale Welfare And Recreation
Veterans who have a 100 percent disability rating, their dependents and unmarried surviving spouses are entitled to unlimited commissary and exchange store privileges. The VA can aid in completing a DD Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card, which you will need to access these benefits.