By Frank Flores, founder of FamiliaLista · Updated November 2026

Texas benefits for veteran families

On top of VA benefits, Texas offers veteran families a full property tax exemption on the home for the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran rated 100% disabled or individually unemployable, Hazlewood tuition at public colleges for the spouse and children in certain cases, Veterans Land Board loans, burial in Texas State Veterans Cemeteries, and long-term care in Texas State Veterans Homes. Each one asks your family to prove something, so keep your rating letter and DD-214 where they can find them.

Does a surviving spouse keep the property tax exemption?

Yes, in these cases. Texas exempts the total appraised value of the home of a veteran awarded 100% disability compensation, through a 100% rating or individual unemployability (Tax Code 11.131). The surviving spouse keeps it if: Source: comptroller.texas.gov

• the spouse has not remarried;
• the home was the spouse's residence homestead when the veteran died; and
• it is still the spouse's residence homestead.

If the spouse moves, the exemption on the new home is capped at the dollar amount of the old one. The application is Form 50-114, filed with the county appraisal district. Source: comptroller.texas.gov

Other cases: the unremarried surviving spouse of a service member killed in the line of duty can get a total exemption on the home (Tax Code 11.133). The unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran with a lower rating may get a partial exemption (Tax Code 11.22, Form 50-135). Source: comptroller.texas.gov

Can a veteran's spouse or children use Hazlewood?

Hazlewood covers up to 150 credit hours of tuition at Texas public colleges. It extends to the spouse and children of a veteran who: Source: sfasu.edu

• died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury or illness;
• is missing in action; or
• became totally disabled from a service-related injury or illness (a 100% rating, or paid at the 100% rate for individual unemployability).

The veteran must have been a Texas resident, have designated Texas as home of record, or have entered the service in Texas. A veteran who qualifies can also pass unused hours to a child age 25 or younger through the Hazlewood Legacy program. Source: sfasu.edu

Can a surviving spouse get a Veterans Land Board loan?

Yes. The VLB lists as eligible the surviving spouse of a veteran who is missing in action or whose death was service-connected. VLB home loans go up to $832,750 at a fixed rate, for 15 to 30 years. Source: glo.texas.gov

Who can be buried in a Texas State Veterans Cemetery?

The same people who qualify for a VA national cemetery, including the veteran's spouse and dependent children. The burial benefits are identical, and funeral home charges are not included. Sources: glo.texas.gov, tarrantcountytx.gov The five state cemeteries are in Killeen, Corpus Christi, Mission, Abilene and Lubbock. Source: glo.texas.gov See VA burial benefits and pre-need eligibility.

Who can live in a Texas State Veterans Home?

Texas State Veterans Homes offer long-term care for veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents. Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability can generally live there for free. There are homes in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, Temple and Tyler. Source: glo.texas.gov

What should your family keep on hand to claim these?

• Your VA rating letter (it shows the percentage, or individual unemployability).
• Your DD-214, which shows your character of discharge.
• Your marriage certificate and your children's birth certificates.
• Your county appraisal district account for the home.

Your county Veterans Service Officer can help with each one. The whole list is in the veteran family checklist, and the federal side is in VA survivor benefits.

▶  Watch how to set it up, step by step.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Texas Comptroller: 100 percent disabled veteran and surviving spouse exemption
• Texas Comptroller: Disabled veteran and surviving spouse exemptions
• Stephen F. Austin State University: Hazlewood Act (Texas Education Code 54.341)
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Home loans and eligibility
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Cemetery burial benefits and eligibility
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Cemetery locations
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Texas State Veterans Homes
• Texas Veterans Land Board: Veterans Home locations
• Tarrant County Veteran Services: Texas state benefits for survivors

Every source above was checked in November 2026. General information, not legal or financial advice. VA and Texas rules change; check the official sources above or talk to your county Veterans Service Officer or another accredited representative about your situation.

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