Texas Veteran Spouse Exemption
What if youre the surviving spouse of a veteran who was fatally wounded during their service? According to the Texas tax code, surviving spouses of U.S. armed services personnel fatally injured while in the line of duty qualify for a full property tax exemption. However, this only remains in effect as long as the surviving spouse continues to live on the same property and remains unmarried. Unmarried spouses may be able to transfer the dollar amount of their exemption to a new property, but it might not be a total exemption.
Another portion of the Texas tax code promises that the surviving spouses of U.S. armed forces members who die while actively serving can also qualify for a specific exemption of $5,000. This exemption is limited to a specific amount but can be applied to any property owned by the surviving spouse, not just the property on which they live.
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Tax Credits And Exemptions
New Hampshire offers a standard minimum $700 tax credit for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.
Full property tax exemptions are granted for any veteran with a 100% Permanent and Total disability rating who is a double amputee of the upper or lower extremities or any combination thereof who is paraplegic or who has blindness of both eyes with visual acuity of 5/200 or less. The veteran must also own a specially adapted home acquired with assistance from the VA.
A 100% disabled veteran who is blind, paraplegic, or a double amputee as a result of service and who owns a specially adapted home acquired with the assistance of the VA is exempt from all property tax on the home. The veterans surviving spouse is also exempt from these property taxes.
Information For Military & Veterans
Social Security pays disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security Disability Insurance program and the Supplemental Security Income program. SSDI is for workers and certain family members if they worked long enough and recently enough to qualify for benefits. SSI is for people who are 65 or older, as well as people of any age, including children, who are blind or have disabilities. To be considered eligible for SSI, you must also have income and resources below specific financial limits.
Before you apply for Social Security disability benefits, please review the to make sure you understand what to expect during the application process. Also, gather the information and documents youll need to complete an application.
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Qualifying For 100 Percent Va Disability Based On Unemployability
Many veterans find it challenging to qualify for a 100 percent VA disability based on the rating schedule. Fortunately, VA offers a way to receive 100 percent benefits based on your inability to work. The program is called Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability .
The most important criterion to receive TDIU is that youre unemployable. To show this you must prove that you are unable to get OR keep substantially gainful employment. But you also have to meet certain rating requirements. If you have a single disability and cannot work because of that disability, you can receive TDIU if your condition rates at 60 percent or higher. If you have two or more disabilities and cant work because of those disabilities, you can receive TDIU if your conditions have a combined rating of 70 percent or higher with one having a 40 percent rating or higher on its own.
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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Special Monthly Compensation Benefits For 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
VA Special Monthly Compensation, also known as VA SMC benefits, is additional tax-free compensation that can be paid to disabled veterans, their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents. For disabled veterans, VA Special Monthly Compensation is a higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances, such as the need of aid and attendance by another person or by specific disability. For example, the loss or use of a creative organ SMC-K, which is Erectile Dysfunction for men and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder for women. Pro Tip: Yes, you can apply for SMC online at VA.gov!
Hazelwood Act Application Process
In order to receive Hazelwood funds, a veteran must first:
- get accepted by a public university or college in Texas. Visit Apply Texas for application information.
- obtain your DD-214 to prove your military service and type of discharge, and
- call the VA office at 442-4551 to ask for a letter showing whether or not you are eligible for GI Bill benefits through the Montgomery or Post-9/11 bill.
After you have completed the above steps, complete the Hazelwood application form and submit it along with your education benefits letter from the VA and your DD-214 to the financial aid office of the school you have been accepted to. Your financial aid office will let you know whether your application for Hazelwood benefits has been accepted. The office may send you an email or a letter, or simply put funds into your school account.
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Ssa Expedited Processing For Veterans
Veterans may qualify for programs from SSA that expedite disability decisions:
Texas Veteran Education Benefits
Texas offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.
State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits
Visit the following link for a full list:
Contact the Education Services Team at: 463-3168 or 898-3833
Hazlewood Act
The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours tuition free college at state schools. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.
The veteran must have:
- been a Texas resident when they entered the service
- served at least 181 days active duty
- used up all federal VA education benefits
- not be in default on a state student loans
- meet GPA, academic progress and credit hour requirements
Legacy Act
Veterans eligible for the Hazlewood Act can assign unused hours to a child under certain conditions.
The child must:
- be a Texas resident.
- be the biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed as a dependent in the current or previous tax year.
- be 25 years old or younger on the first day of the semester or term
- meet GPA, academic progress, and credit hour requirements
- Only one child can use Hazelwood Legacy benefits at a time.
Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child
Like the normal Hazlewood act, the veteran must have been a Texas resident when they entered the service.
A spouse must:
A child must:
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Additional State Benefits Available
There are multiple state benefits available to 100 percent disabled veterans. Each state has its own set of benefits and can range from health care benefits, hunting and fishing license exemptions, free passes to state parks and property tax exemption. You can also be eligible for specialized license plates.
For more specific information on the benefits available in your state and enrollment details, please click here.
Are There State Benefits Available
There are multiple state benefits available to 100 percent disabled veterans. Each state has its own set of benefits and can range from health care benefits, hunting and fishing license exemptions, free passes to state parks and property tax exemption. You can also be eligible for specialized license plates.
For more specific information on the benefits available in your state and enrollment details, please click here.
The Health and Human Services Commission operates the mental health intervention program for veterans that include:
- peer-to-peer counseling
- access to licensed mental health professionals for peer service coordinators and peers
- training approved by the department for peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers
- technical assistance for peer service coordinators, licensed mental health professionals, and peers
- suicide prevention training for peer service coordinators and peers
- veteran jail diversion services, including veterans treatment courts and
- coordination of mental health first aid for veterans training to veterans and immediate family members of veterans.
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Va Disability Compensation Pay At The Max Rate
Perhaps the very best benefit available to 100 percent disabled veterans is VA disability compensation pay. If you have a disability condition that was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service, you may be eligible to receive tax-free monthly compensation for life. Veterans can prepare and file their own VA disability compensation claim for FREE by opening a Notice of Intent to File on the VA.gov website for a VA disability increase or first-time filer. An Intent to File puts the VA on notice that youre planning to file a VA claim, which is important because it sets an effective date for when you could start getting benefits while you prepare your disability claim and gather supporting documents . Click HERE to view the 2023 VA disability pay chart.
Texas State Veterans Benefits
In addition to veterans benefits available to you through the federal Department of Veterans Affairs , you are also eligible for benefits through the Texas Veterans Commission. The benefits available to veterans who are residents of Texas include educational benefits, employment rights, mortgage assistance, and a property tax exemption.
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Free Space A Travel For Disabled Veterans
With the passage of the Disabled Veterans Access to Space-A Travel Act, disabled veterans with a service-connected 100% permanent and total disability rating can jump on any scheduled or unscheduled military flight within the continental United States under Category 6 operated by Air Mobility Command , subject to availability. Click HERE for the AMC official Space A travel page.
The Cost Of Living Adjustment On Va Disability Rates For 2022
Veterans Affairs disability rates had a cost of living adjustment in 2022 at 5.9%, which is the same as the increase in Social Security benefits. This COLA is determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers .
The CPI-W measures the average change over time in prices paid by urban consumers for a fixed market basket of goods and services. The COLA is important because it ensures that VA disability rates keep up with the cost of living. In addition, it helps to protect veterans purchasing power.
VA disability rates play an important role in the lives of many veterans and their families. The COLA ensures that these rates keep up with the cost of living, which helps to protect the well-being of veterans and their families.
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What Benefits Are Available To 100% Disabled Veterans
First, lets clarify that most disabled veterans are entitled to benefits administered by the federal government in the form of social security disability and/or VA disability benefits. Because Social Security defines disability differently than the VA, not all veterans deemed 100% disabled by the VA will be eligible for Social Security Disability. That said, 100% P& T disabled veterans are entitled to expedited processing of their social security disability claims.
At the federal level, the VA also offers a number of benefits, including the following and more:
In addition to these and other federal VA benefits, each state administers its own benefits for disabled veterans. Your disability rating does not change depending on which state you live in, but the benefits available in each state are different.
Below, weve compiled information on what states have the best benefits for 100% disabled veterans. For information about your state, you can contact each states Department of Veterans Affairs using this directory.
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Free State Education Benefits For 100 Percent Disabled Veterans
Some states offer FREE college benefits to some veterans and the dependents of 100% disabled veterans. In Texas for example, the Hazelwood Act provides veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 hours of tuition free college at state schools. In the state of Florida, the Congressman C.W. Bill Young Tuition Waiver Program waives out-of-state tuition fees for all honorably discharged veterans who reside in the state and who are enrolled in Florida public, post-secondary institutions. Florida also provides scholarship opportunities for dependent children and spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected disability or who are rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. Click HERE to see if your state offers free education for disabled veterans.
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Disabled Veterans In Texas Recreational Benefits
Free Drivers License for Texas Disabled Veterans
DisabledVeterans in Texas with at least a 60% VA disability rating and anhonorable discharge can get a Texas drivers license or ID card for free.
Texas Disabled Veterans Free Hunting and Fishing License
Disabled Veterans in Texas with an honorable discharge and a 50%or greater VA disability rating, or who have suffered the loss of use of a footor leg as a result of service, can get a free SuperCombo Hunting and Fishing License each year.
The Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package is availableat no cost for Texas Disabled Veterans.
The Super Combo License Package includes:
- Resident hunting license
- Federal Duck Stamp is NOT included, but isrequired for waterfowl hunting
Disabled Veterans State Park Admission
The DisabledVeterans passport allows free entry to Texas state parks for TexasDisabled Veterans with a 60% or more service-connected disability or loss oflower extremity.
One additional person may assist the pass holder at a reduced rateof 50% of the standard entry fee.
Present valid identification and oneof the following to get your passport:
- Disabled Veterans of Texas license plate receipt
- Veterans VA Disability Summary Award Verification Letter
- Tax exemption letter for Texas veterans
Do 100 Percent Disabled Veterans Qualify For Va Dental Benefits
VA dental care services depend on several factors, such as your VA disability rating, service-connected dental disabilities, current home/living situation, etc.
Based upon these factors, the VA places veterans into a Benefits Class and youll get the specific VA dental benefits assigned to that class.
Generally, a disabled veteran must have a 100% scheduler VA disability rating, 100 percent P& T rating, or a 100 percent unemployable rating to qualify for free VA dental care.
*Note: If youre being paid at the 100% rate based on a temporary rating , you do not qualify for VA dental benefits.
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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.