|
|
Other Texas State Benefits
(and Links to Other State Agencies)
EMPLOYMENT & REEMPLOYMENT 
Wartime
veterans have preference in employment with State agencies or offices, as do
widows and children of those killed on active duty. State law requires that at
least 40% of employees in each State agency must be veterans. Non-retired
veterans who are employed by the State of Texas are entitled to claim their
active duty military time toward retirement, provided they present a proper
request and pay to the Retirement System the specified amount of retirement
contribution for up to 60 months' military credit. Such contribution is paid at
the rate which was applicable at the time the employed veteran first was covered
by the state Retirement System, plus any accrued interest. Additionally, a
veteran is entitled to reemployment rights with his last employer when he is
released from the Armed Forces of the United States, providing his absence is
not longer than four years. The right of reemployment is available regardless of
whether the veteran was, prior to service, employed by the State, county or city
government, or by private industry. Reemployment rights of veterans are now
provided by both State and Federal laws.
TEXAS VETERANS LAND PROGRAM
Eligibility for participation in this program to purchase land in
Texas is provided to veterans who were legal residents of Texas at the time of
entry into Federal military service and are Texas residents at the time of
application; and to other veterans who have been legal Texas residents for two
or more years at the time of application. A veteran must have served 90
consecutive days at any time since September 16,1940, unless sooner discharged
because of service-connected disabilities, and who has not been dishonorably
discharged from military service. At a slightly higher interest rate, Texas
National Guard members or Reservists and unmarried spouses of deceased Texas
veterans may be eligible, although some provisions apply. Under this program, a
veteran must purchase at least five acres, and the property must have at least
30 foot-wide access to public road. Loans under this program may be made for a
maximum $40,000 and for a maximum of thirty years, and payment in full may be
made at any time without penalty.
TEXAS VETERANS HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VHAP)
Eligibility for participation in this program is the same as for
participation in the Texas Veterans Land Board Program.
Under this program, a veteran may apply for a low
interest loan of up to $150,000 for the purchase of a home. The loan may be
combined with a VA guaranteed home loan, FHA, or Conventional loan. The home
must be located in Texas and must be the veteran's primary residence and must
remain as such for the first three years of the loan. Type of homes eligible for
VHAP are single-family dwellings, condominiums, duplexes, triplexes and
fourplexes. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes must be at least five years old
and one unit must be the veteran's primary residence. Modular or manufactured
homes on a permanent foundation and part of the real estate may also be
eligible. Restrictions also apply for newly constructed homes. There is no limit
on the amount of acreage bought with a home. Down payment requirements and
financial qualifications will be determined by the primary lender. All VHAP
loans must be originated by an approved lender or the Veterans Land Board. Loans
are available in 15, 20, 25, and 30 year terms. Veterans wishing to participate
in this program should first select a home, have a contract with a participating
lender and, through the lender, submit a Request for Certification to the Texas
Veterans Commission. After certification by the Commission, a Certificate of
Eligibility will be issued and the veteran may continue with closing procedures
with the lending institution.
TEXAS VETERANS HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (VHIP)
Eligibility for participation in this program is the same as for
participation in the Texas Veterans Housing Assistance Program. Under the
provisions of the program, a veteran may apply for a low interest loan to make
substantial repairs and improvements to the primary residence. The program will
make loans with varying terms. Loans up to $10,000 may be made for a term of two
to ten years; loans for over $10,000 and up to $25,000, the terms are two to
twenty years. Additionally, the loan is available to veterans in a 2-4 family
residence, such as a duplex, triplex or fourplex, as long as the property was
constructed at least five years prior to the closing date of the home
improvement loan. Types of repairs and improvements allowed under this program
include any alterations, repairs and improvements eligible for financing under
the HUD Title I Program and must be in compliance with all applicable building
and housing codes and standards. All work must be on a existing residence and
must substantially protect or improve the basic livability or energy efficiency
of the property, or correct damage resulting from a natural disaster or correct
conditions that are hazardous to health or safety. Further information
concerning these loan programs may be obtained by contacting the following:
Texas Veterans Land Board
1700 N.
Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701-1496
1-800-252-VETS
www.glo.state.tx.us/vlb
vlbinfo@glo.state.tx.us
FREE DRIVERS LICENSE FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Texas
drivers licenses may be furnished free of charge to veterans who have
service-connected disabilities rated 60% or more by the VA or by a branch of the
Armed Forces of the U.S. Application must be made prior to the time present
drivers license expires. Application forms may be obtained from Department of
Public Safety's license examining offices located throughout the State. Click
HERE to go to the
Texas Department of Public Safety's Web Page. Application forms should be
completed by the veteran and forwarded to the VA for verification of
service-connected rating of 60% or more. If a veteran was disability-retired
from military service and has no VA claim file, proof of disability must come
from their respective branch of military service.
FISHING & HUNTING LICENSES FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Disabled veterans are eligible for special hunting and fishing
licenses, at a reduced cost. A disabled veteran of the Armed Forces of the
United States is one who has a service-connected disability, as defined by the
Department of Veterans Affairs, consisting of the loss of use of a lower
extremity or of a disability rating of 60% or more, and who is receiving
compensation from the United States for the disability. A resident veteran as
described in the law may hunt wild turkey and deer without a resident hunting
license if he has acquired a resident exemption hunting license. We have
provided a link to the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Web Site for your
convenience.
FREE PARK ADMISSION FOR DISABLED
VETERANS
Free
admission to Texas State Parks is available to any veteran who has a
service-connected disability which is rated 60% or more by VA or a
service-connected disability which has resulted in the loss of a lower
extremity. Application may be made at the headquarters office of any Texas State
park by providing satisfactory evidence of service- connected disability. If
such evidence is not readily available, it can be obtained from the VA regional
office where the claims folder is located. The Texas State Parklands
Passport is available to any veteran who meets the disability requirements,
whether or not he or she resides in Texas. The Passport provides only free
admission to the State parks, and does not exempt anyone from payment of other
charges, such as camping fees, etc. We have provided a link to the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Web Site for your
convenience.
FREE
RECORDING OF DISCHARGES
Under
State laws, the County Clerk in each County is required to record, free of
charge, the official discharge of each veteran who served in the Armed Forces of
the United States of America. This free service is very important as it provides
veterans with a ready source from which they can obtain a certified copy of
their discharge whenever it is needed.
TAX EXEMPTION
FOR VETERANS
Disabled veterans who meet certain requirements, their surviving
spouses and the spouses and minor children of a person who dies on active duty
in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for property tax exemptions on the
appraised value of their property. The exemption is mandatory and applies to
taxes levied by all taxing authorities in the State. A veteran whose
service-connected disabilities are rated less than 10% by the Department of
Veterans Affairs, or a branch of the Armed Forces, is not entitled to a property
tax exemption. For those rated 10% or more, the tax exemptions below
apply:
Disability Rating Tax Exemption
10% through 30% First $ 5,000
of appraised value
31% through 50% First $ 7,500 of appraised value
51%
through 70% First $ 10,000 of appraised value
71% or more First $ 12,000 of
appraised value
A veteran whose disability is 10% or more, and who is 65
years or older, is entitled to exemption of the first $12,000 of appraised value
of property. A veteran whose disability consists of the loss of use of one or
more limbs, total blindness in one or both eyes, or suffers paraplegia, is
exempt on the first $12,000 of the appraised value of his property. A veteran
who qualifies under more than one of the exemptions may not combine the
exemptions, but may take the one providing the largest exclusion. The surviving
spouse of a person who dies on active duty is entitled to exemption of the first
$5,000 of the appraised value of the spouse's property. A surviving child of a
person who dies on active duty is exempt on the first $5,000 of appraised value
of the child's property, as long as the child is unmarried and under 21 years of
age. The surviving spouse of a deceased veteran who, at the time of the
veteran's death had a compensable disability and was entitled to an exemption,
is also entitled to that exemption if the surviving spouse is unmarried. This
law is administered at the local level by the various taxing authorities. To
apply, obtain an application from the local appraisal district office.
APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND APRIL 30. Click HERE for a link to
the Texas Department of Transportation's list of all County Tax
Assessors/Collectors in the state. Then click on "Vehicle Title &
Registration Information."
SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Disabled Veterans, Former Prisoners of War, Pearl Harbor
Survivors, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor plates are among the special license
plates available to eligible veterans and their survivors for personal use on
their automobile or light commercial vehicle of one ton or less. Disabled
veterans must have a service-connected disability rating of 60% or more or 40%
due to amputation of a lower extremity. Former prisoners of war are eligible if
they were captured or incarcerated by an enemy of the United States during a
period of conflict with the United States and at the time of the capture, were
citizens of the United States. Eligibility is for both former members of the
Armed Forces and civilian U.S. citizens who were captured by an enemy of our
government. For further information, contact either the nearest vehicle title
registration office or your county tax office. Click HERE for a link to
the Texas Department of Transportation's list of all County Tax
Assessors/Collectors in the state. Then click on "Vehicle Title &
Registration Information."
