Texas Veteran's Benefits (2023)

FAQs

Who is eligible for the Hazlewood Act? ›

In order to be eligible to receive a Hazlewood Act Exemption, a veteran must prove that he or she was a Texas resident at the time of entry into military service, entered the service in the State of Texas, or declared Texas as his or her home of record in the manner provided by the military or other service.

2023 VA Disability Rates. 2023 VA disability pay rates, which are effective December 1, 2022, have a year over year increase of 8.7% based on the latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

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 of tuition exemption at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

You must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don't qualify for VA health care.

In order to maintain eligibility for the Legacy Program under the Hazlewood Exemption, a student must be 25 years or younger on the first day of the term for which the exemption is claimed (unless granted an extension due to a qualifying illness or debilitating condition).

Through the state's Hazlewood Act, originally approved in 1943, Texas promises its veterans or their survivors 150 free credit hours at any of the state's public universities or community colleges, once their federal benefits have been exhausted. And vets may transfer hours they don't use to their children.

No, VA disability does not stop at age 65; nor does it stop at age 67. VA disability benefits are for the life of the disabled veteran! And in some instances, the veteran's VA benefits can pass to the surviving spouse. At age 65, a disabled veteran may also become eligible for VA pension benefits.

A Veterans Affairs compensation rating of 100% P&T doesn't guarantee that you'll receive Social Security disability benefits. To receive disability benefits from Social Security, a person must have a severe impairment expected to last at least one year or to result in death.

Under VEVRAA, a veteran may be classified as a ''disabled veteran,'' ''recently separated veteran,'' ''active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran,'' or ''Armed Forces service medal veteran. '' active duty* in the U.S. Military?

What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in Texas? ›

Hazlewood Act

It only covers tuition and excludes room and board, student service fees, books, and the like. Qualified students can use up to 150 credit hours in tuition. The tuition waiver applies to children whose military parent died or was killed in active duty, is a prisoner of war, or is missing in action.

Generally, there is no reduction of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement benefits. You'll get your Social Security benefit based on your earnings and the age you choose to start receiving benefits. While you're in military service, you pay Social Security taxes, just as civilian employees do.

No, you can not make too much money to get VA benefits.

The VA has no restrictions on the earning or income status of veterans that want to receive VA benefits. VA benefits are available to any veteran who the VA has determined to have a service-related condition that negatively impacts their health.

VA disability compensation payments are reduced if a Veteran is convicted of a felony and imprisoned for more than 60 days. Veterans rated 20 percent or more are limited to the 10 percent disability rate. For a Veteran whose disability rating is 10 percent, the payment is reduced by one-half.

The Texas Hazlewood Exemption allows eligible Veterans or a designee to transfer all unused hours of the exemption, up to 150 semester credit hours, to a child who is 25 years old or younger on the first day of the term.

Yes. Hazlewood Act benefits may be used for graduate studies, including law school or any other program of study at public institutions (other than continuing education) if the Veteran has not accumulated 150 credit hours using Hazlewood Act benefits since fall of 1995.

The College Tuition Fee Waiver for the Dependents of Veterans -- sometimes called the CalVet Fee Waiver -- is a state benefit that provides a tuition-free education at the CSU and the other state public post-secondary colleges and universities.

Yes. The size of a veteran's Hazlewood Act exemption is limited by his/her Federal PELL or SEOG award. If federal education benefits such as these are received after an exemption is awarded, the exemption must be decreased proportionately. The veteran must reimburse the college or university in a timely manner.

What benefits can I get if my father was in the military? ›

Survivors of deceased military members and veterans are entitled to several forms of compensation. These include Dependent Indemnity Compensation, a Death Gratuity payment and Tricare benefits. In addition, many states offer special benefits for survivors of those who served.

More than a million veterans receive benefits at the 100% rate. In addition to receiving the highest possible disability payment, these veterans qualify for additional benefits if their 100% rating is permanent.

If your partner dies with a 100% disability, you may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This refers to tax-free monthly benefits sent to the surviving spouses of disabled veterans. Per VA, the base compensation you can receive in 2022 is $1,437.66 per month.

As you might expect, it is difficult to obtain a 100% VA disability rating with just one service-connected disability. Most veterans who receive a 100% rating have two or more disabling conditions. Often, these conditions have a secondary service connection.

To acquire the full amount, you need to maximize your working life and begin collecting your check until age 70. Another way to maximize your check is by asking for a raise every two or three years. Moving companies throughout your career is another way to prove your worth, and generate more money.

If the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has deemed your condition permanent and total, you are entitled to lifetime benefits as P&T ratings are protected from being re-evaluated or reduced.

You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years. If you also get a pension from a job where you didn't pay Social Security taxes (e.g., a civil service or teacher's pension), your Social Security benefit might be reduced.

What Is the Most Approved Disability? Arthritis and other musculoskeletal system disabilities make up the most commonly approved conditions for social security disability benefits. This is because arthritis is so common. In the United States, over 58 million people suffer from arthritis.

There is no set age of when your VA disability becomes permanent. The VA rater will determine “permanence” of a VA disability if it is reasonably certain, based upon medical evidence, that the level of impairment will continue for the rest of your life. Translation: Whether you're 35 or 75 years old it does not matter.

Veterans education benefit payments received through VA for education and training are tax-free. Disability benefits received from VA, such as disability compensation, pension payments and grants for home modifications, are not taxable.

Do veterans pay for vehicle registration in Texas? ›

License plates and registration for vehicles owned and driven by disabled veterans. A person entitled to veteran specialty license plates may register, for the person's own use, one vehicle without payment of any fee paid for or at the time of registration except the fee for the license plates.

The most frequently claimed disability by Veterans, tinnitus typically involves hearing sounds that don't exist, such as ringing in the ears. Hearing loss: affecting 1,228,936 Veterans. Loss of hearing is the second most prevalent disability suffered by Veterans.

Since the DD Form 214 is issued to those leaving the active military as well as to members of the National Guard and Reserves completing their initial active duty for training, possession of this document does not necessarily mean the student is a veteran.

State law allows a Texas toll road entity to offer discounted or free tolls to Congressional Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor and Purple Heart recipients, as well as disabled veterans who qualify and meet the requirements for specialty license plates.

Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax

Motor vehicles are exempt from tax if they are modified to be used by someone with orthopedic disabilities to help them drive or ride in the vehicle. The modified vehicle must be used at least 80 percent of the time to transport, or be driven by, a person with an orthopedic disability.

In Texas, veterans with a disability rating of: 100% are exempt from all property taxes. 70 to 100% receive a $12,000 property tax exemption.

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 of tuition exemption at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

The Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or eligible dependents of veterans who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you've served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). Find out if you can get this education benefit.

Based on the results of the exam, your disability rating may increase, decrease, or stay the same. Once you turn 55, you are typically "protected" and will no longer have to attend an exam to prove that your condition has not changed unless there is reason to suspect fraud. This is sometimes called the 55-year rule.

What is the new bill passed for veterans? ›

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

Of the veteran and active service members who reported to the annual Wounded Warrior Project Survey that they have never used VA health care services, the most common reasons given included preferring to use other health care coverage and too much trouble or red tape.

No. Under federal law, VA disability benefits are not marital property which courts can divide in a divorce.

The 70% rating criteria for PTSD include occupational and social impairment and deficiencies. Veterans with a 70% PTSD rating show the following symptoms: problems in most areas of their life, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

Estimates are expected to range from 2 – 3 percent in 2024, much lower than the nearly 9 percent hike in 2023, and the 5.9 percent increase in 2022. Disability compensation, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) would rise when the COLA takes effect on Dec.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Veterans and beneficiaries who receive VA compensation benefits will see an 8.7% increase in their monthly payments—the largest increase in over 30 years. The annual COLA increase is tied to the Social Security rate change and is based on the consumer price index (CPI).

In January 2023, VA will launch a new life insurance program called Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife), which provides guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance coverage to Veterans age 80 and under, with any level of service-connected disability. Some Veterans age 81 and older may also be eligible.

Children and spouses of service members who are killed in the line of duty, are missing in action, or who die as a result of injury or illness directly related to military service are eligible for Hazlewood Act benefits providing the child was a dependent of the Texas service member at the time he/she died and the ...

Hazlewood Act Answers

Yes, with the exception of Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill ®) at the 100% eligibility level or with Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment). If you are eligible for both the Hazlewood exemption and VA education benefits under Chapters 30, 35,1606 you may use both benefits at the same time.

An eligible child must be a TX resident who is 25 years of age or younger, and make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, certificate or continuing education program. Unused Hazlewood hours cannot be transferred to a spouse.

Are veterans dependents eligible for Hazlewood Act in Texas? ›

The Hazlewood Act exemption is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified veterans, spouses, and children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours [semester credit hours (SCH)] of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas.

What is Hazlewood Legacy? The Hazlewood Legacy program is a tuition and fee waiver for children, under the age of 26, of Texas veterans.

Veterans assistance (VA) coverage includes paying utility bills, car, rent, and mortgage payments, and other living expenses such as food and transportation costs.

Many veterans today have both the Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB). And while each GI Bill provides up to 36 months of benefits singularly, students can get up to 48 months combined if they know how to use the benefits.

You have 10 years to use your Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits after you separate from the military. If you don't use your benefits in this time frame, you may be able to get a refund of part or all of your payments into this program.

The grandchild may be eligible to receive benefits if the qualified veteran grandparent or surviving spouse is raising (or raised) the grandchild as a child or in loco parentis (in place of a parent).

As the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits, like health care, life insurance, or money to help pay for school or training.