Benefits For Disabled Veterans In Texas

Questions And Answers About The 100% Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption

If you qualify as a 100% Disabled Veteran, you will be interested in the answers to the most commonly asked questions below.

Q. What are the qualifications for this exemption?

• You qualify for this 100% homestead exemption if you meet these requirements:
• You own a home and occupy it as your residence homestead.
• You are receiving 100% disability compensation from the US Department of Veterans Affairs for a service-connected disability.
• You have a disability rating of 100% disabled or of individual unemployability.

To get this exemption, you must fill out Form 11.13, checking the box for 100% Disabled Veterans Exemption, as well as all boxes that apply to you. You must attach documentation as well. You may attach a copy of your award letter, a VA tax letter, or another document from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs showing 100% disability compensation due to a service-connected disability and a rating of 100% disability or of individual unemployability. The documents you attach must be current documents.

Q. How much of my homes value will it exempt?

If you qualify, your home will be totally exempt from property taxes in all jurisdictions, regardless of the homes value. If you co-own the home with someone other than your spouse, your share of the homes value will be exempted.

Q. I already have a homestead exemption. Do I need to apply for the 100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption?

Yes. This exemption is not given automatically.

Yes.

Health Insurance Benefits For Veterans In Texas

Service members who meet VA health care qualifications may apply for health insurance online, in person, by mail or by telephone to receive coverage for preventative and emergency medical services.

To apply for VA health insurance in person, servicemembers must visit a local veterans medical facility, or they may apply by telephone at 1-877-222-8387.

To apply for VA medical benefits by mail, veterans must complete an Application for Health Care and mail it to the following address:

Health Eligibility Center2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200Atlanta, GA 30329-1647

After enrolling in veterans health insurance, service members receive several federal and state benefits. Health insurance for veterans includes the following benefits:

• Assistance through the Health Care Advocacy Program
• Services under the Veterans Mental Health Program
• Services under the Women Veterans Program
• 24-7 crisis line counseling
• Nursing care through State Veterans Homes

Note: To learn more about healthcare options for veterans, patients may contact 1-800-252-8387.

North Dakota Dmv Benefits For 100% Disabled Veterans

North Dakota veterans with a service-connected 100% disability rating are eligible for Disabled American Veteran license plates.

DAV license plates exempt veterans from paying sales tax on up to two vehicles. Additionally, there is no annual license or registration fee. An unremarried surviving spouse can retain one DAV plate for their own use.

You May Like: How To Apply For Disability In Colorado

Texas Veteran Education Benefits

Hazlewood Act

Texas Hazlewood Act awards qualifying veterans, spouses, and dependent children with up to 150 hours of higher learning for no charge. The benefit covers most fees but does not pay for associated costs such as books and supplies or living expenses. To qualify, the veteran must have:

• Entered the service as a Texas resident
• Reside in Texas
• Served the country for 181 days or more on active duty
• Exhausted federal VA benefits for education
• Be in good standing with state student loans
• Meet minimum levels for GPA, academic progress and credit hours

Legacy Act

A Veterans unused benefit hours under the Hazlewood Act may be reassigned to a Veterans dependent child under certain conditions. Only one child may be the designee at one time.

The child must:

• Also be a resident of the state
• Be a Veterans biological child, stepchild or adopted child
• Be no more than 25 years old on the first day of the semester or term
• Meet minimum levels for GPA, academic progress and credit hours

Hazlewood Act for Spouse/Child

The qualifying veteran must have entered the service as Texas resident. In addition, the spouse or dependent must:

• Also be a resident of the state
• Not have VA education benefits
• Meet minimum levels for GPA, academic progress and credit hours

Note: The criteria to meet certain academic progress expectations does not apply to the child when the qualifying Veteran is killed in action, missing in action or deceased due to a service-connected disability or condition.

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.

Read Also: What Is The Va Disability Rating For Hypertensive Heart Disease

Spouse Or Dependents Benefits

Spouses and dependents are an integral part of active duty Servicemembers and Veterans families. We encourage you to utilize the services available at South Texas College to achieve your educational goals. Several benefits are available for qualifying spouses and dependents through federal and state programs to pursue your education.

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.

Recommended Reading: Can You Continue To Work While Filing For Disability

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.

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:

• Clothing allowance

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.

Donât Miss: Social Security Disability Benefits Amount

Read Also: How Much Does A Va Disability Lawyer Cost

Women Veterans Professional Network

The Women Veterans Professional Network is a closed social media network that establishes a supportive environment in which women veterans can connect with one another to discuss the important topics of employment, womens health, and womens entrepreneurship. The community seeks to make sure that its members are fully aware of the services and benefits they earned through their military service, and that they have the support to access them.

Disabled Veterans License Plates And Parking Placards

Special license plates are available for disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, Pearl Harbor survivors, Purple Heart recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients. Disabled veterans must have a documented service-connected disability rating of at least 50%, or at least 40% if due to the amputation of a lower extremity.

Eligible applicants must have been honorably discharged to qualify. A surviving spouse of a service member who would be eligible for military or veteran license plates is entitled to one specialty license plate for a vehicle as long as the spouse remains unmarried.

Also Check: How Much Is Short Term Disability Pay

Texas Housing Benefits For Veterans

Finding a place to live after returning from active duty can be difficult. While certain federal housing benefits and discounts are available to veterans who have served, it may be necessary to seek state benefits that only benefit residents for additional assistance.

Between tax exemptions and loans supplied by the Texas government, service members, veterans, and disabled veterans can find various helpful resources when procuring a home.

Va Disability Help For Houston Veterans

Herren Law has helped over 4,000 Houstonians get the disability and veterans benefits they deserve, and well be happy to help you. Call us at 682-8194 or 529-7707 for a free consultation, or use our online contact form. Well talk with you about your case and let you know how we can help. Our contingency fee arrangement means you wont owe us anything unless we win your case.

Disclaimer

Contact Us

Don’t Miss: Who Qualifies For Disability In Wisconsin

Texas Veteran Financial Benefits

The Texas Income Tax Break

Since the State of Texas features no personal income tax, military members living there will enjoy more savings at tax time than they might in states where personal income tax is collected. There is also no Texas military retirement income tax.

Tax Breaks For Disabled Veterans and Surviving Dependents

Qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses may be eligible for property tax breaks from the State of Texas. One such tax break is a graduated form of property tax relief for those with VA disability ratings starting at 10%. Tax exemption laws and requirements may change from year to year, its best to consult a local tax professional to see what exemptions or regulations of those exemptions apply in a given tax year.

What Types Are Services Are Covered By Va Healthcare

VA healthcare benefits include a wide range of services such as:

• Routine health exams.
• Specialized care .
• Urgent or emergency care at some VA health facilities.
• Private urgent care services for injuries and illnesses that need attention right away, but arent life threatening, including walk-in retail health clinic for minor illnesses like a sore throat or earache AND Urgent care facilities for more pressing illnesses or injuries that require treatment like splinting, casting, or wound car.
• Mental health services to treat conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder , military sexual trauma , Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, and substance use problems.
• Assisted living and home health care .
• Prescription medications written or approved by a VA doctor.

Learn more about VA healthcare benefits and services HERE.

Recommended Reading: What To Tell A Psychiatrist To Get Disability

Texas Disabled Veteran Benefits Financial Assistance

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Texas

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Texas

Property taxes in Texas are locally assessed and administered by each county.

Disabled Veterans in Texas with a 10% to 90% VA disability rating can get a reduction of their homes assessed value from $5,000 to $12,000 depending on disability percentage.

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.

To file for a disabled veterans exemption, you must complete the Application for Disabled Veterans or Survivors Exemptions form and submit it to the appraisal district in which the property is located.

The table below lists the exemption by VA disability rating.

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Texas Quick Calculator

Other Texas Disabled Veteran Benefits Discounts And Free Services

Texas Disabled Veteran Benefits Discounts

With the generous donationsof for-profit entities as well as various non-profit organizations, Texasoffers Disabled Veterans a ton of discounts and free services.

For a complete list ofdiscounts and free offerings for Texas Disabled Veterans, please

List of Texas Disabled Veteran Benefits Discounts and Free Services

• The Folds of Honor Foundation has two types of scholarship programs for Texas DisabledVeterans: The ChildrensFund Scholarship serves the dependents of disabled veterans rated at90% or higher, in Kindergarten through 12th grade and TheHigher Education Scholarship the dependents of disabled veterans ratedat 10% or higher for those seeking a first bachelors degree or a certificationat a post-secondary institution. Both types of the Folds of Honor scholarshipsare based on unmet need as determined by documentation submitted by theawardee and can be valued up to $5,000. VA Claims Insider is a 1-StarFriends of the Folds partner to enable these incredible scholarship programsfor the dependents of Disabled Veterans.

• Freedom Hunters offers Texas Disabled Veterans outdoor adventuresand hunting for military, veterans and their families.

• The VeteranTickets Foundation teams up with major sports teams, leagues,promoters, organizations, venues and ticket holders to provide free tickets tothe more than 21 million military and veterans, including Disabled Veterans inTexas.

Don’t Miss: Do Veterans Get Free Life Insurance

Parking Privileges For Certain Veterans

Disabled veterans may park free of charge at any parking meter operated by a state or local governmental authority. Eligibility includes any Texas vehicle that displays a disabled veteran designation, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, and Prisoner of War or Congressional Medal of Honor winner.

Please note that this stipulation does not apply to parking meters administered or operated by the federal government.

Military Veteran Peer Network

The Military Veteran Peer Network provides peer to peer support in the form of technical education, training, and certification to local mental health peer service coordinators. These connections allow for the development of a statewide peer-based network of peer support for any veteran facing service-related trauma.

Don’t Miss: Is Generalized Anxiety Disorder A Disability

Funeral Benefits For Veterans In Texas

Texas VA death benefits are available to eligible servicemembers and their families at any of the state cemeteries in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, or Mission.

These VA burial benefits include a grave plot and concrete liner, burial flag, military honors, headstone or marker, Presidential Certificate, perpetual care of the grave and a gun salute.

Under these veterans death benefits, there is no charge for the interment of veterans or their spouses and dependents however, these allowances do not cover funeral home costs.

If a death is service-connected, veterans burial benefits may include an allowance of up to $2,000 to cover the costs of funeral expenses.

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.

Also Check: How Long Can You Claim Disability Benefit

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Texas

Benefits for 100% disabled veterans in Texas include a full property tax exemption for them and their spouse. If they are less than 100% disabled, their benefits will be decreased accordingly. The veterans or spouses home will be assessed at a lower value of $5,000 to $12,000, depending on their rating between 10% and 90%.

Surviving spouses of deceased qualifying veterans will also receive the property tax exemption. Depending on the county, the veteran or their spouse may also receive a homestead tax exemption.

Hazlewood Act Educational Benefits

The Texas Hazlewood Act specifies that eligible veterans may receive up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at an approved state-supported college or university. To be eligible, a veteran must have been a Texas resident when entering military service, entered into active federal duty in the state of Texas, or declared Texas as the home of record when entering military service.

In addition, the veteran must have a military discharge of honorable or general, under honorable conditions and not be in default on any federal education loan or student loan made or guaranteed by the state of Texas.

Read Also: Disabled Veterans Benefits In Texas