Veteran Benefits for Texas

• Texas Income Taxes: There are no individual state income taxes in Texas. Distributions received from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are not taxed.
• Texas Homestead Tax Exemption for 100% Disabled or Unemployable Veterans: Property tax in Texas is a locally assessed and locally administered tax by local Appraisal Districts and Tax Assessors/Collectors. There is no state property tax. The Comptroller’s publication, Texas Property Tax Exemptions, offers a short summary of the available property tax exemptions.

  Veterans who receive compensation from the VA for a service-connected disability rating of 100% disabled or of individual unemployability are eligible for 100% property tax exemption on their homestead.

  An un-remarried Surviving spouse can continue to receive this exemption if they continue to live on the homestead after the Veteran dies. A Surviving spouse can receive this exemption on a subsequent homestead if they do not remarry. The amount of the exemption on the subsequent homestead will be the same dollar amount of the exemption on the first homestead.

  A Veteran who qualifies for more than one property exemption is only eligible for one exemption but may choose the greatest exemption they qualify for. For more information, please contact the County Appraisal District or Tax Assessor/Collector. 

• Texas Property Tax Exemption for Partially Disabled Veterans and Veterans over age 65: Property tax in Texas is a locally assessed and locally administered tax. Texas offers a partial property tax exemption for partially disabled Veterans. The amount of the exemption is based on the percentage of service-connected disability the VA awarded the Veteran.

  Disability Exemption Amounts:

  • $5,000 for 10% – 29% disability rating
  • $7,500 for 30% – 49% disability rating
  • $10,000 50% – 69% disability rating
  • $12,000 70% – 99% disability rating

  Disabled Veterans 65 years old or older can receive a property tax exemption of $12,000 and must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Service-connected disability rating of at least 10%
  • Totally blind in one or both eyes
  • Lost the use of one or more limbs

  An un-remarried Surviving spouse or child (under 18 and unmarried) of a qualifying disabled Veteran who dies is eligible for this exemption.

  A Veteran who qualifies for more than one property exemption is only eligible for one exemption but may choose the greatest exemption they qualify for. For more information, please contact the County Appraisal District or Tax Assessor/Collector. 

• Texas Property Tax Exemption for the Surviving Spouse of a Service Member Killed in the Line of Duty: An un-remarried Surviving spouse of a Service member who was killed in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is eligible for 100% property tax exemption on their homestead.

   

Recreation

Free Texas Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package for Resident and Nonresident Disabled Veterans: Resident and nonresident disabled Veterans are eligible for the Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package at no cost. This license includes:

• Resident hunting license
• Resident fishing license
• Archery endorsement
• Freshwater fishing endorsement
• Saltwater fishing endorsement with a red drum tag
• Upland game bird endorsement
• Migratory game bird endorsement (Federal Duck Stamp is not included; stamp is required for waterfowl hunting)

Who is eligible for the Free Texas Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package for Resident and Nonresident Disabled Veterans? Resident and nonresident Veterans who have lost the use of a foot leg or have a 50% or more disability rating and receive compensation from the VA are eligible. Veterans must apply in person at a licensed retailer and are required to provide official documentation from the VA certifying their disability or provide a Texas Disabled Veteran driver’s license or ID card.

Free Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Licenses for Resident Active Duty Service Members: Active Duty resident Service members are eligible for the Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package, the All-Water Fishing Package, or the Hunting Package free of charge.

Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package includes:

• Resident hunting license
• Resident fishing license
• Archery endorsement
• Freshwater fishing endorsement
• Saltwater fishing endorsement with a red drum tag
• Upland game bird endorsement
• Migratory game bird endorsement (Federal Duck Stamp is not included; stamp is required for waterfowl hunting)

All-Water Fishing Package includes:

• Fishing license
• Freshwater and Saltwater endorsements
• Red drum tag

Hunting Package includes:

• Hunting license
• Archery endorsement
• Upland game bird endorsement
• Migratory game bird endorsements (Federal Duck Stamp is not included; stamp is required for waterfowl hunting)

Who is eligible for Free Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Licenses for Resident Active Duty Service Members? Applicants must be Texas residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces to be eligible. When applying, Service members must provide proof that Texas is their home of record or that they have been assigned to a duty station in Texas for the past six months. Service members must apply in person at a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department License Retailer.

Texas Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Resident Prices for all Active Duty Service Members: Service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty anywhere (and their dependents) are eligible to purchase Texas Parks and Wildlife Department licenses for resident prices.

Free Texas Parklands Disabled Veteran Passport: Texas offers the Parklands Disabled Veteran Passport for eligible disabled Veterans, which authorizes free entry for the Veteran and one other person to all Texas State Parks.

Who is eligible for the Free Texas Parklands Disabled Veteran Passport? Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of at least 60% or loss of lower extremity are eligible. They do not need to be Texas residents to be eligible. Veterans must provide one of the following to receive their Passports:

• Texas Disabled Veteran license plate receipt
• VA Disability Award Letter
• Tax exemption letter for Texas Veterans

Veterans can apply for the Parklands Disabled Veteran Passport at any state park.

 

Education Programs:

• Texas National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (STA): STA is an education benefit that provides money for college to eligible members of the Texas Military Department pursuing their educational and career goals.

  Awards at a public college can be up to the equivalent of 12 credit hours of tuition and mandatory fees, not to exceed $4,500 per semester. Private school awards are calculated based on the average size of awards for public schools each semester up to a maximum of $4,500 per semester.

  State Tuition Assistance funding is:

  • Available for Fall and Spring academic semesters only, payments are issued only at the end of the semester
  • Out-of-state/ nonresident tuition charges are not eligible for reimbursement
  • Incomplete, dropped, or failed classes are not eligible for reimbursement
  • Continuing education classes that do not earn academic credits do not qualify for funding

  Who is eligible for STA?

  • Actively drilling Service members in “Good Standing” in the Texas National Guard.
  • Pay grades E1-E9 (enlisted), O1-O5 (commissioned officers) and W1-W3 (warrant officers)
  • Service members must be accepted and registered in a Texas-qualifying college or university for a minimum of 3 semester credit hours; part-time or full-time students are eligible.
  • Applicants must have completed basic training prior to the start of the semester.
  • Service members must continue to serve through the end of the semester; the Service member’s Expiration of Term of Service (ETS) or Mandatory Removal Date (MRD) must be after the official last day of class.
  • ROTC (Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty) Cadets utilizing the Room and Board scholarship option or non-scholarship contracts are eligible
  • STA can be used with other federal and state tuition assistance
  • Service members must attend a public or private college or university with headquarters in Texas; for-profit schools are not eligible.
  • Must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Texas Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption Benefit for Veterans: The Texas Hazlewood Act provides qualified Veterans a tuition exemption from most fee charges for up to 150 credit hours at public institutions of higher education. This does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

  Who is eligible for the Texas Hazlewood Act, Tuition Exemption Benefit for Veterans: Veterans must meet the following requirements:

  • Designated Texas as their home of record at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, entered the U.S. Armed Forces from Texas, or was a Texas resident
  • Received an honorable discharge or separation (must be indicated on the Veteran’s DD214 or certificate of release)
  • Served at least 181 days on active duty (excluding training)
  • Must currently reside in Texas
  • Have no federal Veteran’s education benefits remaining that exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits (Pell and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant recipients may still apply)
  • Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by Texas.
  • Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (meaning a course that does not depend only on student tuition and fees to cover its cost)
  • Meet the GPA requirements and show satisfactory academic progress in a degree or certificate program as an undergraduate student and not considered to be taking an excessive amount of credit hours.
• Texas Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption Benefit for Spouses and Dependent Children: The spouses and dependent children of certain Veterans are eligible for a tuition waiver at Texas state-supported higher education institutions. Students can receive a tuition exemption for 150 credit hours.

  Who is eligible for the Texas Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption Benefit for Spouses and Dependent Children? Veteran requirements for a spouse or Child eligibility:

  • Designated Texas as their home of record at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces, entered the U.S. Armed Forces from Texas, or was a Texas resident
  • Served in the U.S. Armed Forces and:
    • Was killed in action (KIA)
    • Declared missing in action (MIA)
    • Has a service-connected 100% permanent and total disability rating or is declared individually unemployable by the VA
    • Died from a service-connected illness or injury

  Spouse and Children eligibility requirements:

  • Not be in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by Texas.
  • Have no federal Veteran’s education benefits remaining that exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits (Pell and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant recipients may still apply)
  • Texas resident for tuition purposes
  • Meet the GPA requirements and show satisfactory academic progress in a degree or certificate program as an undergraduate student and not considered to be taking an excessive amount of credit hours, (this requirement does not apply to the spouse or child of an MIA, KIA, or service-connected deceased Veteran)
• Texas Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption Child Legacy Act: Veterans who are eligible for the Texas Hazlewood Act (see above) may assign unused tuition exemption hours to their child under certain conditions. Exemptions may be used at Texas state-supported higher education institutions.

  Who is eligible for the Texas Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption Child Legacy Act? Child eligibility requirements:

  • Texas resident for tuition purposes
  • Be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year.
  • 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term that the exemption is claimed (unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition)
  • Meet the GPA requirements and show satisfactory academic progress in a degree or certificate program as an undergraduate student and not considered to be taking an excessive amount of credit hours.

  Legacy recipients will receive an exemption for the number of degree-certified hours. The maximum number of hours awarded depends on the degree or certificate program and should be within the normal length of time to complete their degree or receive their certificate.

  If a child does not use all the assigned hours, a Veteran may re-assign the unused hours to another dependent child. Only one child can use the Hazlewood Act at a time. 

• Texas Taps Tuition Voucher Program: Students in 6th through 12th grade or in a postsecondary school will receive a $25 tuition voucher each time they play Taps during Military Funeral Honors.

   

• Texas High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans: Texas school districts will issue high school diplomas to Veterans who left school before receiving their diploma to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

  Who is eligible for Texas High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans? Veterans must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

  • Honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Was scheduled to graduate from high school after 1940 and before 1975 or after 1989
  • Left school after completing 6th grade or higher, but before graduating from high school, to serve in:
    • World War II
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • Persian Gulf War
    • Iraq War
    • Afghan War
    • Any other formally declared war or military engagement

  The completed Texas Application for High School Diplomas for Certain Veterans must be submitted to the local Texas school district where the Veteran was last enrolled. If the Veteran’s school district no longer exists, the form should be submitted to the consolidated (new) district. These diplomas can be requested posthumously. Veterans are required to provide a copy of their DD214, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation form, or Discharge Certificate.

   

• Texas Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3): The purpose of this compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:
  • Facilitating the prompt enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of educational records from the previous school district or variations in entrance or age requirements
  • Facilitating the student placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities
  • Facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families
  • Providing for the enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact
  • Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact
  • Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting military children
  • Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student to achieve educational success for the student
• Texas Purple Star Campus Designation for Military-Friendly Schools: The Texas Purple Star Campus Designation for military-friendly schools recognizes schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to the U.S. Armed Forces. Purple Star awardees receive a special Purple Star recognition to display in their building.

  For a school to qualify for the Purple Star Campus Designation, they must appoint a school liaison who is specially trained to handle the unique challenges experienced by military families. This liaison will ensure that other teachers at their school are aware of special considerations that students from military families can benefit from. Each school will also have a dedicated page on their school website featuring resources for military families.

Housing: The following are the sites for Veterans Homes

Texas State Veterans Homes: Texas has nine State Veterans Homes that provide affordable, long-term nursing care for Texas Veterans, their spouse, and Gold Star parents. Texas State Veterans Homes provides all home employees with specialized training to help them understand the military experience as well as post-traumatic stress to help them provide understanding and compassionate care.

Texas State Veterans Home at Amarillo

Texas State Veterans Home at Big Spring

Texas State Veterans Home at Bonham

Texas State Veterans Home at El Paso

Texas State Veterans Home at Floresville

Texas State Veterans Home at Houston

Texas State Veterans Home at McAllen

Texas State Veterans Home at Temple

Texas State Veterans Home at Tyler

Each home offers physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as alternative therapies, including equine, art, music, and pet therapies. Residents can choose between private or semi-private rooms (based on availability). Memory Care units are available at each home to provide highly specialized care in a secure environment.

Who is eligible for care at the Texas State Veterans Homes? Texas State Veterans Homes offer long-term care to Veterans who served at least 90 days on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge from their spouse and Gold Star parents (parents of a Service member who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces). All applicants must have resided in Texas for at least one day and have a referral from a doctor stating they require long-term care.

Employment and Job Training: Veterans Preference

• Texas State Employee Paid Leave for Military Duty: Texas state, county, municipality, or political subdivision employees who are members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for paid leave to attend authorized training or duty for 15 workdays in a fiscal year. During military leave, the employee may not lose time, efficiency rating, personal time, sick leave, or vacation time.

  Who is eligible for Texas State Employee Paid Leave for Military Duty? State employees serving in the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves are eligible for paid military leave.

• Reemployment in Texas State Employment Following Military Service: A state or local government employee who leaves their job to enter active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces is entitled to be reemployed to the same position or a position of similar seniority, status, and pay.

  Who is eligible for Reemployment in Texas State Employment Following Military Service? Service members have five years from the date of their entry into military service to reapply for their previous position. Service members must have received an honorable discharge and must be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of their position to be eligible.

  An employee who cannot perform the duties of their previous position due to a service-connected disability they received during service in the U.S. Armed Forces must be employed to a position they can perform, and that has similar seniority, status, and pay as their former position.

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Professional Licensing Benefits for U.S. Armed Forces Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses: TDLR offers professional licensing benefits to Service members, Veterans, and military spouses. TLDR provides the following benefits:
  • Service members and Veterans may use military experience and training to meet the requirements of a Texas occupational license.
  • If a Service member’s, Service member’s spouse, or Veteran’s Texas occupational license expires during their time on active duty, they are eligible for the following:
    • Additional two years to complete their license renewal
    • No late renewal fees
    • Expedited renewal process
    • Waiving the examination requirement
  • Offers expedited processing for current out-of-state occupational licenses

  In addition, TDLR offers military spouse assistance when transferring licenses from other states and will expedite applications for new licenses.

• Texas Veterans Commission On-the-Job Training Program (OJT): The Texas Veterans Commission OJT program helps Veterans learn a trade or skill while training on the job rather than by attending a formal program of classroom-based instruction.

  OJT training programs provide:

  • Training opportunities for a position the Veteran is not already qualified for
  • Training lasts no less than six months, no more than two years
  • Job training has a defined objective with a training outline
  • Training leads to an entry-level position
  • Adequate space and equipment are provided
  • Supervision for at least 50% of training/work time
  • Specific recordkeeping requirements and signed agreements
  • Non-commission based wages
  • Beginning wage at least 50% of fully trained employee wage
  • Minimum of one wage increase during the training period
  • Ending wage at least 85% of fully trained employee wage
  • Not applicable to Federal, state, and local government OJT programs

   

• Texas State Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preference: Texas state agencies must provide a Veteran’s hiring preference until they reach 20% Veteran employment. An individual who qualifies for Veteran’s hiring preference is eligible for preference in state employment over other equally qualified applicants.

  If a state employer requires a competitive examination for selecting or promoting employees, an individual eligible for Veteran’s hiring preference who is qualified for that position and received a passing score will have 10 points added to their test score. A Veteran who has a service-connected disability will have an additional five points added to their test score.

  Veterans with a service-connected disability who are eligible for Veteran’s hiring preference when a competitive examination is not used will have preference over all other equally qualified applicants.

  Who is eligible for Texas State Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preference? The following individuals are eligible for Veteran’s hiring preference:

  • Honorably discharged Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least 90 consecutive days during a declared national emergency or were discharged prior to 90 days due to a service-connected disability.
  • Honorably discharged Veterans who have a service-connected disability, as determined by the VA or their branch of service.
  • Un-remarried Surviving spouse
  • Orphan of a Veteran who was killed while serving on active duty

  Veteran’s preferences will be applied in the following order:

  • Veteran with a disability
  • Veteran
  • Veteran’s un-remarried Surviving spouse
  • Orphan of a Veteran who was killed while on active duty

  Those eligible for veterans’ hiring preference are also eligible for preference in retaining employment during a reduction in the workforce over equally qualified employees.

   

• Federal Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preferences:  Federal law mandates that Veterans, especially those with disabilities or those who served during specific time periods or in military campaigns, are granted preference over non-veterans when it comes to Federal civil service hiring and retention during workforce reductions. In various scoring processes for examinations and interviews, Veterans may be eligible for an additional 5 or 10 points.
• 5-point Hiring Preference: Five points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served:
  • During a war, or
  • During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976, or
  • During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or
  • In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference

  10-point Compensable Disability (CP) Preference:  Ten points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30%.

  10-Point 30% Compensable Disability Preference (CPS): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

  10-Point Disability Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of:

  • A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the VA but does not qualify as a CP or CPS, or
  • Veteran who received a Purple Heart

  10-Point Derived Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, Surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including a Surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran’s service if they both meet the requirements. However, neither may receive preference if the Veteran is living and is qualified for Federal employment.

  Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the spouse of a disabled Veteran who is disqualified for a federal position along the general lines of their usual occupation because of a service-connected disability. Such a disqualification may be presumed when the Veteran is unemployed and:

  • Is rated by appropriate military or VA authorities to be 100% disabled and/or unemployable, or
  • Has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position because of a disability that is service-connected in origin, or
  • Has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of their usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability

  Preference may be allowed in other circumstances but anything less than the above warrants a more careful analysis.

  A campaign medal holder or Gulf War Veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligible Veterans separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to Veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under Title 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.

  Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA also protects Service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.

  Absence from Work for Military Duty: USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights for five years. Exceptions to the five-year limit, include initial enlistments lasting more than five years, periodic National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve training duty, and involuntary active duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of national emergency. USERRA establishes that reemployment protection does not depend on the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of an individual’s service if the basic eligibility criteria are met.

  Disability Accommodation: USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. Service members recovering from injuries received during service or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.

  Return to Work without Loss of Seniority:  USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status, and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, they are deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded to other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

  Extension of Health and Pension Plans: Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium. For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had remained employed. USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that all pension plans are protected.

  Who is eligible for USERRA Benefits? Veterans, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve or National Guard Service members who leave a position for training or active military service are eligible.

  The Department of Labor, through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), helps all who have claims under USERRA, including Federal and Postal Service employees.

Burials and Memorials

Please note that your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with your paperwork and medical records.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) pays tribute to eligible Veterans and their family members by providing a final resting place and a lasting memorial to commemorate the Veteran’s dedicated service to the nation.

The burial benefits encompass a gravesite in any of our open cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also meet the criteria for a burial allowance. Cremated remains are interred or inurned in national cemeteries with the same honors and respect as casketed remains.

Burial benefits extend to eligible spouses and dependents, including burial alongside the Veteran and perpetual care of the interment site. The name and relevant dates of birth and death of the spouse or dependent are inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone at no expense to the family. Importantly, spouses and qualified dependents are eligible for burial even if they pass away before the Veteran and are not required to be interred in the same national cemetery as the Veteran.

National Cemeteries include:

Dallas: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery

El Paso: Fort Bliss National Cemetery

Houston: Houston National Cemetery

Kerrville: Kerrville National Cemetery

San Antonio: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

San Antonio: San Antonio National Cemetery

Texas VA Benefit Resources

Texas provides Veterans with two Regional Benefits Offices and VA Medical Centers.

Texas VA Regional Benefits Office

• Houston: Houston Regional Benefit Office
• Waco: Waco Regional Benefit Office

Texas VA Medical Centers

• Bonham: Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center
• Dallas: Dallas VA Medical Center
• Houston: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
• Kerrville: Kerrville VA Hospital
• Waco: Doris Miller Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Important information for Texas Veteran Benefits:

For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, full name, social security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.

You should always keep your paperwork and medical records in a safe place where you and your family can access them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.

Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.

*This information is accurate as of November 2023

Texas Veteran Benefits

If you are a disabled Veteran in Texas and are VA rated 90% or less, you may be eligible for additional benefits. Contact Veterans Guardian for a free consultation with no obligation. Let us review your claim to determine whether you qualify for additional benefits.