2023 TVC State Benefits.indd

Helping Veterans Starts Here

Texas Veterans Commission

P.O. Box 12277 Austin, TX 78711-2277

[email protected] www.tvc.texas.gov

TEXAS STATE

VETERANS BENEFITS

ph: 800-252-8387

fax: 512-475-2395

Our Mission

Since 1927, the mission of the Texas Veterans Commission is to advocate for

and provide superior service to veterans that will signiﬁ cantly improve the

quality of life for all Texas veterans, their families, and survivors.

NAME TITLE

Eliseo “Al” Cantu, Jr.

Commission Chair

Daniel P. Moran Commission Vice Chair

Kevin Barber Commission Secretary

Kimberlee Shaneyfelt Commission Member

Laura Koerner Commission Member

Thomas P. Palladino TVC ExecuƟ ve Director

TEXAS VETERANS

COMMISSION

TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION - AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS

Mailing Address:

Texas Veterans Commission

P.O. Box 12277

Austin, TX 78711-2277

Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Phone: 800-252-8387

Email: info@tvc.texas.gov Web: www.tvc.texas.gov

Veterans’ Call Center: 1-800-252-VETS (8387) (In-State Only)

The Veterans’ Call Center is a joint partnership between the Texas Veterans

Commission and the Veterans Land Board to connect veterans to the beneﬁ ts and

services earned through their military service.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About .................................................................................................................... 1

Claims Department............................................................................................. 1

Compensation and Pension ............................................................................ 3

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) ...................................... 4

Death Pension ................................................................................................... 5

Burial Beneﬁ ts ................................................................................................... 5

Vocational Rehabilitation ............................................................................... 7

1151 Claim ...................................................................................................... 8

Assistance with Appeals ................................................................................. 8

Medical Care Eligibility ................................................................................. 9

Health Registries .............................................................................................. 9

Veterans County Service Ofﬁ cers (VCSOs) ................................................. 9

Veterans Employment Services ...................................................................... 10

Veterans Career Resource ............................................................................. 11

Veterans Recruitment ....................................................................................... 11

Family Employment .......................................................................................... 11

Veterans Preference......................................................................................... 12

Locations of Staff ............................................................................................ 13

Re-employment after Military Service..........................................................14

Veterans Education ............................................................................................ 15

The Hazlewood Act.......................................................................................... 16

Federal Education Beneﬁ ts ............................................................................ 18

Veteran Entrepreneurs....................................................................................... 19

Fund for Veterans’ Assistance......................................................................... 20

Health Care Advocacy ...................................................................................... 21

Veterans Mental Health .................................................................................... 23

Women Veterans ................................................................................................. 24

Veteran State Beneﬁ ts ........................................................................................ 25

Specialty/Disabled License Plates and Permits ......................................... 25

Hunting & Fishing Licenses .............................................................................. 25

Property Tax Exemption................................................................................... 25

No Cost Medical Records................................................................................. 25

State Park Admission......................................................................................... 26

Insurance.............................................................................................................. 26

Free Recording of Discharges......................................................................... 26

Contract Preferences......................................................................................... 26

State Government Agencies...................................................................... 27 - 33

Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) ................................................................. 27

Land Loan Program ......................................................................................... 27

Veterans Housing Assistance Purchase Program ........................................ 27

Veterans Home Improvement Loan Program ............................................... 27

Texas State Veterans Homes ........................................................................... 27

Veterans’ Call Center ....................................................................................... 27

Military Installations in Texas........................................................................... 34

ABOUT

The Texas Veterans Commission is the state agency that advocates for Texas

veterans, their families, and survivors. The agency takes great pride in providing

the highest level of superior service possible. The fundamental ingredient to

superior service is a dedicated, professional, and well-trained workforce. More

than 80% of the agency’s employees are veterans, every employee is dedicated

to ensuring veterans receive the beneﬁ ts and services they have earned.

The services provided by the Texas Veterans Commission are tailored to the

unique needs of veterans, their families, and survivors. The Texas Veterans

Commission coordinates the efforts of service providers, facilitates the sharing

of resources, provides innovative and effective training, awards grants to

organizations addressing a broad range of veterans’ needs, and creates

partnerships with other levels of government to achieve the highest level of

service for veterans, their families, and survivors.

CLAIMS DEPARTMENT

The Claims Department helps veterans ﬁ le claims with the VA for beneﬁ ts and

compensation. This includes service-connected disability compensation, non

service-connected pension, and dependency indemnity compensation.

Claims Beneﬁ t Advisors provide one-on-one personalized assistance to Texas

veterans, their families, and survivors in obtaining all local, state, and federal

beneﬁ ts and services they are eligible to receive. The fully-developed claims

teams are accredited to represent veterans throughout the beneﬁ t application

process, and must be proﬁ cient in the medical ﬁ eld and in VA administrative law.

Statewide Claims Beneﬁ t Advisors are available free of charge to:

• Advise, educate, and train veterans, their families, and survivors

regarding VA beneﬁ ts.

• Assist with processing VA claims and appeals.

• Represent you by communicating your unique situation to the VA.

• Provide you with information about the claims and/or appeals process,

types of claims/appeals, and how to track your claim/appeal status.

CLAIMS

TVC CLAIMS DISTRICT LOCATIONS

NORTHWEST DISTRICT

VA Regional Ofﬁ ce

701 Clay Ave., Waco, TX 76799-0001

(Phone)

254-299-9950; (FAX) 254-299-9910

Email: WACO@tvc.texas.gov

NORTHEAST DISTRICT

Central Texas Veterans Health Care System

1901 Veterans Memorial Dr., Bldg. 208, Rm 119

Temple, TX 76504-7451

(Phone)

254-743-0549; (FAX) 254-743-1699

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT

Frank M. Tejeda VA Outpatient Clinic

5788 Eckhert Rd, Rm. 2A122, San Antonio, TX 78240-3900

(Phone)

210-699-5308

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT

VA Regional Ofﬁ ce

6900 Almeda Rd., Houston, TX 77030-4200

(Phone)

713-383-2756; (FAX) 713-383-2746

Email: HOUSTON@tvc.texas.gov

More locations available, please call 800-252-8387

CLAIMS

CLAIMS RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Service-Connected Compensation

The Texas Veterans Commission serves veterans, their families, and survivors, in

matters pertaining to VA disability beneﬁ ts and rights. The agency represents

veterans in VA disability claims and during the VA appeals process, and assists

dependents with survivor beneﬁ ts.

Service-Connected Disability compensation is a tax-free beneﬁ t paid to a

veteran for certain qualifying disabilities. Veterans may be eligible for disability

compensation if they have a service-related disability and were not discharged

under less than honorable conditions. Many veterans do not realize they may

qualify for monthly payments due to health conditions that can be traced back

to their military service. The VA calls these health conditions service-connected

disabilities.

• Combat deployment is not required for a service-connected disability

rating or compensation.

• Service-connected disabilities are rated from 0% to 100%. Compensation

amounts are based on the rating and number of veteran’s dependents.

• VA compensation is not subject to Federal or State taxes.

• The VA will consider all disabilities when they are included within the claim.

• If service-connected disabilities rated at 60%-90% cause unemployability,

the veteran may be paid at the 100% rate by VA.

• Filing a claim and establishing service-connected disabilities provides

certain priorities in obtaining medical care at VA expense.

• Texas and many other states have special programs and beneﬁ ts for

veterans with service-connected disabilities.

• Most claim payments start to accrue within a month from the day you ﬁ le,

no matter how long it takes to get the claim settled.

Non Service-Connected Pension

Non service-connected pension is a monthly beneﬁ t paid to wartime veterans who

have limited or no income.

Who qualiﬁ es? Veterans who:

• Are 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled;

• Were not discharged from service under less than honorable conditions;

• Meet active duty service requirements with at least 1 day during a period

of war time (combat experience is not required);

• Have a family income lower than the limit (depends on spouse/dependents).

These eligibility requirements are general and there are additional factors that

affect eligibility.

CLAIMS

Treatment for Service-Connected and Non Service-Connected

Disabilities

Eligibility for treatment of non service-connected disabilities is on a space-available

basis at VA hospitals and clinics (a co-payment may be required):

• Treatment of all disabilities without charge if rated 50% or more.

• VA may pay for emergency hospitalization in private facilities for service-

connected disabilities if VA facilities are not available. The VA medical

facility that has jurisdiction must be notiﬁ ed within 72 hours of admission

to the private facility.

• If the veteran resides in an area that is a long distance from a VA medical

facility, VA may pay for outpatient medical treatment from private doctors

for any service-connected disability and for all disabilities except dental if

the veteran is rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities.

• VA furnishes, free of charge, medicines required for treatment of service-

connected disabilities and for all disabilities if the veteran is rated 50% or

more for service-connected disabilities.

• Prosthetic appliances and services are available at VA expense for

eligible veterans.

• If a veteran is hospitalized in excess of 21 days or recovering for one

month or more for service-connected disabilities, he/she may be entitled to

a temporary 100% rating during that period.

• VA pays an annual clothing allowance to veterans whose prosthetic devices

for service-connected disabilities tend to wear or tear their clothing. Also

the allowance is available to any veteran whose service-connected skin

condition requires prescribed medication that irreparably damages the

veteran’s outer garments.

• A service-connected disability rating provides preference points for Federal

employment under certain conditions. Educational beneﬁ ts are available to

the spouse and other dependents of permanent 100% service-connected

veterans, of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities and of

members whose active duty deaths are incurred in the line of duty.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

VA may provide a monthly beneﬁ t to the surviving spouse or parent(s) upon a

veteran’s death

Who qualiﬁ es?

To be eligible, the veteran’s death must have resulted from one of these causes:

• A disease or injury incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.

• An injury, heart attack/cardiac arrest, or stroke incurred or aggravated

in the line of duty or while on inactive duty for training.

• A service-connected condition that affects a vital organ or bodily process.

For the most Current VA Disability Compensation Rates,

visit www.beneﬁ ts.va.gov

CLAIMS

Death Pension

VA provides pensions to low-income surviving spouses and unmarried children of

deceased veterans with wartime service (combat experience is not required). The

death pension provides a monthly payment to bring an eligible person’s income to

a level established by law.

Who qualiﬁ es?

• To be eligible, spouses must not have remarried and children must be under

age 18, or under age 23 if attending a VA-approved school, or have

become permanently incapable of self-support because of disability

before age 18.

• The veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than

dishonorable and must have qualifying service.

• A surviving spouse may be entitled to a higher income limit if in need of

the aid and attendance of another person, living in a nursing home, or

permanently housebound.

These eligibility requirements are general and there may be additional factors

that affect eligibility.

Burial Beneﬁ ts

Veterans, spouses, and dependents may be eligible for VA burial and memorial

beneﬁ ts including reimbursement of burial expenses, military funeral honors, VA

headstones and markers, presidential memorial certiﬁ cates, burial ﬂ ags, burial in

VA National Cemeteries or other veterans’ cemeteries.

Military Funeral Honors

Upon request, the Department of Defense will provide military funeral honors

consisting of folding and presentation of the U.S. ﬂ ag and the sounding of “Taps”.

Who qualiﬁ es?

Active duty personnel who served a minimum of 24 consecutive months or the full

period of active duty, and reservists or National Guard members called to active

duty for a limited duration. Eligibility is not established by active duty training in

the Reserves or National Guard.

How to get it?

Family members should inform their funeral directors if they want military honors.

VA Headstones & Markers

VA furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a government headstone

or marker for any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world,

regardless of their date of death.

CLAIMS

Who qualiﬁ es?

Active duty personnel who served a minimum of 24 consecutive months or the full

period of active duty, and reservists or National Guard members called to active

duty for a limited duration. Eligibility is not established by active duty training in

the Reserves or National Guard.

How to get it?

• When burial or memorialization is in a national, military post, or state

veterans cemetery, cemetery staff will order a headstone or marker.

• When burial is in a private cemetery, VA form 40-1330, Application for

Standard Government Headstone or Marker, must be submitted with a

copy of the veteran’s DD214.

Burial Flags

A U.S. ﬂ ag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a

deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is furnished

to honor the memory of the veteran’s military service to his/her country.

Who qualiﬁ es?

Veterans who:

• Served on active duty a minimum of 24 consecutive months or the full

period of active duty, and reservists or National Guard members called

to active duty for a limited duration. Eligibility is not established by active

duty training in the Reserves or National Guard.

• Served during wartime.

• Died on active duty after May 27, 1941.

• Served after January 31, 1955.

• Served during peacetime and were discharged before June 27, 1950.

• Served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the

Phillippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or

after April 25, 1951.

• Certain former members of the Selected Reserves.

How to get it?

• Complete VA Form 21-2008, Application for U.S. Flag for Burial Purposes

and take to the Post Ofﬁ ce for issuance of the ﬂ ag.

Burial in National Cemetery

Families are encouraged to prepare in advance by discussing cemetery options,

collecting the veteran’s military information including discharge papers, and by

contacting the cemetery where burial is desired. Gravesites in Department of

Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries cannot be reserved in advanced; and

reservations made prior to 1962 will be honored.

CLAIMS

Texas State Veterans Cemetery (TSVC) Program

Eligibility rules and burial beneﬁ ts for TSVCs are the same as for national

cemeteries. TSVCs are currently operating in Central Texas in Killeen, South Texas

in Mission, West Central Texas in Abilene, and the newest location in the Coastal

Bend area near Corpus Christi. Please contact the Veteran Land Board at 1-800-

252-8387 for information.

Who qualiﬁ es?

Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.

Any veteran who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable or with

certain exceptions, service beginning after September 7, 1980, as an enlisted

person, and service after October 16, 1981, as an ofﬁ cer. Service must be for

a minimum of 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was

called to active duty (as in the case of a Reservist called to active duty for a

limited duration). Undesirable, bad conduct, and any other type of discharge less

than honorable might not qualify the individual for veteran’s beneﬁ ts, depending

upon a determination made by a VA Regional Ofﬁ ce.

Vocational Rehabilitation

The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program provides

educational and vocational counseling to service members, veterans, and certain

dependents at no charge. These counseling services are designed to help an

individual choose a vocational direction, determine the course needed to achieve

the chosen goal, and evaluate the career possibilities open to them. Services that

may be provided include comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine

abilities, skills, and interests for employment, vocational counseling, and

rehabilitation planning for employment services.

Other services may include:

• Job-training, job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work

readiness assistance.

• Assistance ﬁ nding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer

incentives and job accommodations.

• On-the-Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work

experiences, post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical,

or business school.

• Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling,

and medical referrals, and independent living services for veterans unable

to work due to the severity of their disabilities.

CLAIMS

Who qualiﬁ es?

Veterans who:

• Receive a discharge that is not an “other than honorable” discharge;

• The basic period of eligibility which VR&E services may be used is 12 years

from the date of separation from active military service, or the date the

veteran was ﬁ rst notiﬁ ed by VA of any new service-connected disability.

• Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%.

There may be additional factors that affect eligibility.

1151 Claim

Compensation is available for veterans who are injured while undergoing

treatment or vocational rehabilitation under VA care.

Who qualiﬁ es?

Someone who had a qualifying additional disability or death that was not the

result of the veteran’s willful misconduct, and at least one of the following:

• Was caused by hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination

furnished by the VA and the proximate cause of the disability or death

was carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgement, or

similar instance of fault on the part of the VA in furnishing the hospital care,

medical or surgical treatment, or examination; or event not reasonably

foreseeable.

• The disability or death was proximately caused by the provision of training

and rehabilitation services by the Department of Veterans Affairs as part

of an approved rehabilitation program.

These eligibility requirements are general and there may be additional factors

that affect eligibility.

How to get it?

Meet with your local Texas Veterans Commission representative or Veterans

County Service Ofﬁ cer who will guide you through the process and identify any

paperwork required.

Assistance with Appeals

You have the right to appeal decisions the VA makes. Claims experts will talk you

through the process and represent you.

Medical Care Eligibility

The VA operates the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system with more than

1,400 sites of care, including hospitals, community clinics, community living centers,

domiciliaries, readjustment counseling centers, and various other facilities.

Who qualiﬁ es?

Veterans may qualify for VA healthcare beneﬁ ts and are not required to have a service-

connected disability. Complete VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Medical Beneﬁ ts.

CLAIMS

Health Registries

Free medical exams and health related information are available for veterans of the

Gulf War, OEF/OIF, Vietnam War and exposed to ionizing radiation.

Agent Orange Registry for Vietnam Era Veterans

Any Vietnam era veteran who:

• Served at least one day in the Republic of Vietnam between 1962 and 1975

regardless of length of service;

• Served aboard vessels operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward

from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia between

January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975;

• Served aboard smaller river patrol and swift boats that operated on the inland

waterways of Vietnam (also known as “Brown Water Veterans”);

• Served in Korea from April 1, 1968 to August 31, 1971, in a unit stationed

near the DMZ; or

• May have been exposed to dioxin or other toxic substance. For more

information visit the Public Health section of the VA website.

Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)

and Operation New Dawn

Any veteran who served on active military duty in southwest Asia during the Gulf

War which began in 1990 and ongoing to a date yet to be determined.

Burn Pit Registry

The use of burn pits was a common waste disposal practice at military sites in Iraq

and Afghanistan. Smoke from these pits contained substances that may have short

and long-term health effects. VA has created the Airborne Hazards and Open

Burn Pit Registry for veterans and service members.

https://veteran.mobilehealth.va.gov/AHBurnPitRegistry/#page/home

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

• Veterans who participated in the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki

from August 6, 1945 through July 1, 1946, or

• Internment as a Prisoner of War (POW) in Japan (or service on active

duty in Japan immediately following such internment) during World War II

which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines.

CLAIMS / VCSOs

VETERANS COUNTY SERVICE OFFICERS (VCSOs)

Texas VCSOs are professional, highly qualiﬁ ed county service ofﬁ cers who are

dedicated in providing services to all eligible veterans, dependents, and survivors.

VCSOs, employed by their respective county, are knowledgeable individuals who

know their way around the VA system. They can assist veterans and their families in a

number of ways. VCSOs can help you with compensation/pensions, medical care,

military records, grave markers and veteran home loans. Some counties may also have

dedicated funds to assist you with temporary shelter/utilities, food/health supplies,

medical/dental, job placement, counseling, and transportation. Their services are free.

To ﬁ nd your local VSCO, call 800-252-8387 or visit https://www.texvet.org/county.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Veterans Employment Services (VES) assists veterans with ﬁ nding long-term and

meaningful employment through job matching services and one-on-one job

coaching. Veterans Employment offers one-on-one assistance to veterans at

American Job Centers, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) facilities, and

military installations in more than 75 cities throughout Texas. Services are

provided through the Department of Labor Veteran Employment and Training

Services (DOL-VETS) Jobs for Veterans State Grants and state-level general

revenue appropriations.

The Veterans Employment Services work in conjunction with the Texas Workforce

Commission and Workforce Solutions American Job Centers to provide priority

service to eligible veterans and qualiﬁ ed individuals. Veteran Career Advisors

are specially trained to provide intensive services to veterans with signiﬁ cant

barriers to employment, assist in preparation of job applications and résumés,

perform job matches and job searches, and provide other employment services.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DISTRICT LOCATIONS

WEST TEXAS DISTRICT GULF COAST DISTRICT

500 Chestnut St., Suite 1534 3555 Timmons Ln. 4th Floor

Abilene, TX 79602 Houston, TX 77027

(Phone) 325-670-9547 (Phone) 832-681-2566

CENTRAL TEXAS DISTRICT SOUTH TEXAS DISTRICT

300 Cheyenne Dr. 183 S. IH 35

Killeen, TX 76542 New Braunfels, TX 78130

(Phone) 254-200-2212 (Phone) 830-629-2010 ext. 2607

NORTH TEXAS DISTRICT

500 N. Akard, Suite 3030

Dallas, TX 75201

(Phone) 214-290-1009

EMPLOYMENT

Veteran Employment Services executes three major functions:

1. Veterans Career Resources

Veterans Career Resources consists of 109 Jobs for Veterans State Grant-funded

positions. Veteran Career Advisors are tasked with providing individualized

career services and ensure veterans are job-ready. Emphasis and priority is

offered to qualiﬁ ed disabled veterans and other categories of veterans in

accordance with priorities determined by the Secretary of Labor. Resources

include:

• Job coaching;

• Supportive service referrals;

• Transition assistance;

• Resume/Application assistance;

• Job-searching techniques training;

• Job posting referrals;

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Pre-Certiﬁ cation;

• Job clubs;

• Post-employment follow-up;

• VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) Orientations; and

• Warrior Transition Unit brieﬁ ngs.

2. Veterans Recruitment

Veterans Recruitment consists of 51 Jobs for Veterans State Grants-funded

positions. Veterans Employer Liaisons (VEL) facilitate employment, training, and

placement services for veterans in the state of Texas. VELs promote the beneﬁ ts

of hiring veterans to employers, employer associations, and business groups.

Resources include:

• Veterans preference program assistance;

• Career fairs;

• Hiring events;

• Hiring authorities’ training;

• Job posting development;

• TVC Employment Services liaison assistance; and

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) pre-certiﬁ cation.

3. Family Employment

The Family Employment consists of state-level funded positions and provides job

coaching to qualiﬁ ed spouses, family members, and caregivers of active duty

service members, and veterans who are not eligible for Disabled Veterans

Outreach Program-funded services. Resources include:

• Job search techniques training;

• Résumé and application assistance;

• Job posting referrals;

• Supportive service referrals; and

• Post-employment follow-up.

EMPLOYMENT

Veterans’ Employment Preference

Federal Title 5, United States Code, Section 2108 (5 USC 2108)

Veterans’ Preference gives eligible veterans preference in appointment over

many other applicants. Veterans’ preference applies to all new appointments in

the competitive service and many in the excepted service. Veterans’ preference

does not guarantee veterans a job and it does not apply to internal agency

actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements. Eligibility

can be based on dates of active duty service, receipt of a campaign badge or

Purple Heart, or a service-connected disability. Not all active duty service may

qualify for veterans’ preference. Only veterans discharged or released from

active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions (under an honorable

or general discharge) are eligible for veterans’ preference.

Understanding how veterans’ preference works can be a challenge. In accordance

with title 5, United States Code, Section 2108 (5 USC 2108) veterans’ preference

eligibility can be based on dates of active duty service, receipt of a campaign

badge, receipt of a Purple Heart, or a service-connected disability. Please know

that not all active duty service may qualify for veterans’ preference.

Only veterans discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces

under honorable conditions are eligible for veterans’ preference. This means you

must have been discharged under an honorable or general discharge. Under the

Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, an individual

who has reason to believe s/he will be entitled to veterans’ preference upon

discharge may apply for a position in advance of the discharge, and receive

consideration as a preference eligible, if the service member is able to provide

a certiﬁ cation that s/he is expected to be discharged or released from active

duty under honorable conditions not later than 120 days from the date of the

certiﬁ cation; the circumstances of the discharge are veriﬁ ed at the time of actual

appointment.

If you are a “retired member of the armed forces” you are not included in the

deﬁ nition of preference eligible unless you are a disabled veteran OR you

retired below the rank of major or its equivalent.

There are basically three types of preference eligibility:

1. Sole Survivorship (0 point preference eligible),

2. Non-disabled (5 point preference eligible), and

3. Disabled (10 point preference eligible).

https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans-preference/#content

EMPLOYMENT

Locations of TVC Veterans Employment Services (VES) Staff

VES staff are located in American job centers in each of the 28 Workforce

Development Board areas in Texas. Veterans seeking employment

assistance should make contact with their closest job center and register at

WorkInTexas.Com to begin their career search.

Websites to Workforce Development Boards in Texas:

1. Workforce Solutions Panhandle - https://wspanhandle.com

2. Workforce Solutions South Plains - https://workforcesouthplains.org

3. Workforce Solutions North Texas - https://ntxworksolutions.org

4. Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas - https://dfwjobs.com

5. Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County - https://workforcesolutions.net

6. Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas - https://www.wfsdallas.com

7. Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas - https://www.netxworkforce.org

8. Workforce Solutions East Texas - https://www.easttexasworkforce.org

9. Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas - https://wfswct.org

10. Workforce Solutions Borderplex - https://www.borderplexjobs.com

11. Workforce Solutions Permian Basin - https://workforcepb.org

12. Workforce Solutions Concho Valley - https://cvworkforce.org

13. Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas - https://www.hotworkforce.com

14. Workforce Solutions Capital Area - https://www.wfscapitalarea.com

15. Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area - https://workforcesolutionsrca.com

16. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley - https://bvjobs.org

17. Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas - https://www.detwork.org

18. Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas - https://setworks.org

19. Workforce Solutions Golden Crescent - https://www.gcworkforce.org

20. Workforce Solutions Alamo - https://www.workforcesolutionsalamo.org

21. Workforce Solutions for South Texas - https://southtexasworkforce.org

22. Workforce Solutions of Coastal Bend - https://www.workforcesolutionscb.org

23. Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley - https://www.wfsolutions.org

24. Workforce Solutions Cameron - https://www.wfscameron.org

25. Workforce Solutions Texoma - https://www.workforcesolutionstexoma.com

26. Workforce Solutions of Central Texas - https://workforcesolutionsctx.com

27. Workforce Solutions Middle Rio Grande - https://www.wfsmrg.org

28. Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast - https://www.wrksolutions.com

EMPLOYMENT

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

You have the right to be reemployed in your civilian job if you leave that job to

perform service in the uniformed service and:

• You ensure that your employer receives advance written or verbal notice

of your service;

• You have ﬁ ve years or less of cumulative service in the uniformed

services while with that particular employer;

• You return to work or apply for reemployment in a timely manner after

conclusion of service; and

• You have not been separated from service with a disqualifying discharge

or under other than honorable conditions. If you are eligible to be re-

employed, you must be restored to the job and beneﬁ ts you would have

attained if you had not been absent due to military service or, in some

cases, a comparable job.

To Obtain Additional Information: Important USERRA-related resources and compliance

assistance materials for employees and employers are available through the Veterans’

Employment and Training Service website at www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/userra,

which contains a USERRA elaws Advisor, FAQs, fact sheets, and links to the statute and

implementing regulations. The toll-free information and helpline, available 8a.m. - 8p.m.

Eastern Time, is 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-4872365). The Department of Defense’s

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve also provides resources at www.esgr.mil.

VETERANS EDUCATION

The Veterans Education Department (VetsEd) is responsible for the oversight and

administration of two programs focused on veteran education beneﬁ ts:

Federal Beneﬁ ts: As a partner with the Department of Veteran Affairs, VetsEd

functions as the State Approving Agency (SAA) and provides opportunities for VA

beneﬁ ciaries to obtain training and education under the GI Bill®.

State Beneﬁ ts and Veteran Services: As a department within the Texas Veterans

Commission (Commission), VetsEd aids public institutes of higher education and

veterans or family members with:

• the administration of the Hazlewood Tuition Exemption;

• creating an awareness of veteran education programs and beneﬁ ts;

• promoting the creation of veteran-focused services and programs on

campuses; and

• connecting veterans and their families to resources and available

ancillary beneﬁ ts and services.

TVC VETERANS EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTACTS

The VetsEd Department provides several ways for customers to contact us

directly, each focused on speciﬁ c services.

AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS Phone: 512-463-6696

P.O. Box 12277 Email: [email protected]xas.gov

Austin, TX 78711-2277

Veterans Education Customer Service

Phone: 512-463-8189 or 877-898-3833

Hazlewood Tuition Exemption

hazlew[email protected]xas.gov

SAA Approvals

education.approv[email protected]xas.gov

SAA Compliance & Certiﬁ cation

[email protected]xas.gov

Education Coordinator Team

[email protected]xas.gov

All other Inquiries

[email protected]xas.gov

EDUCATION

The Hazlewood Act

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas beneﬁ t that provides qualiﬁ ed veterans,

spouses, and dependent children with an education beneﬁ t of up to 150 hours

of tuition exemption including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher

education in Texas. This does NOT include living expenses, books, or supply fees.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

VETERAN

A veteran’s DD Form 214 must contain the following:

• Home of record at time of entry into active duty or place of entry into

active duty of Texas;

• At least 181 days of active duty, excluding initial entry training (multiple

otherwise qualifying DD Form 214s can be combined to reach the 181

day threshold); and

• Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions (General) character of.

Additionally, the veteran must reside in Texas while using the beneﬁ t.

LEGACY TRANSFER TO CHILD

Veterans who meet all eligibility requirements for the Hazlewood Act may transfer

their unused beneﬁ t to a child. The child must:

• Be under 26 years old;

• The biological child, stepchild, adopted child, or claimed by the veteran

as a dependent on federal income taxes for the previous year;

• Classiﬁ ed by the institution of attendance as a resident; and

• Enrolled in a degree or certiﬁ cate program at the Texas public institution

of higher education where the beneﬁ t is used.

SPOUSE

Spouses of veterans rated by VA as 100% disabled or that have a service-connected

death, receive their own Hazlewood Act if:

• The veteran’s DD Form 214 lists Texas as the home of record at time of

entry into active duty or the place of entry into active duty, and

• The spouse is classiﬁ ed by the institution of attendance as a resident.

CHILDREN

Children of veterans rated by VA as 100% disabled or that have a service-connected

death, receive their own Hazlewood Act if:

• The veteran’s DD Form 214 lists Texas as the home of record at time of

entry into active duty or the place of entry into active duty, and

• The child is classiﬁ ed by the institution of attendance as a resident.

Visit the Hazlewood Act website (www.tvc.texas.gov/education/hazlewood act)

for more speciﬁ c details on eligibility requirements or visit the veterans’ webpage

of the Texas public institution of higher education where the exemption will be

used.

EDUCATION

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Apply and be accepted to a Texas public institution of higher education

of your choice. Go to www.applytexas.org to apply, or use your

institution’s application for admission, and

2. Follow the Hazlewood Act application procedures at www.tvc.texas.gov/

education/hazlewood-act and your institution’s veterans webpage.

WHAT ELSE TO KNOW?

This pamphlet is meant to provide only general information on the Hazlewood Act.

Eligibility requirements for the exemption can be complex. Other factors that may

affect a student’s eligibility are:

• Eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill®; students must use this beneﬁ t ﬁ rst

before they can use the Hazlewood Act.

• Default on a state guaranteed student loan.

• For spouses and children of 100% disabled veterans, the VA disability

must be permanent and total, not temporary.

• Low grade point average.

• Attempting an excessive amount of undergraduate hours.

It is the Texas public institution of higher education that will process the student’s

application and determine eligibility, not the Texas Veterans Commission.

EDUCATION

FEDERAL EDUCATION BENEFITS

The Veterans Education department approves education and training programs

offered by colleges, universities, trade schools, training facilities, and employers

in Texas and for which the various G.I. Bill

beneﬁ ts can be used. Texas Veterans

Commission ensures that institutions and employers comply with federal guidelines

and are qualiﬁ ed to provide the type of training offered.

G.I. Bill

beneﬁ ts may be used for approved programs and costs such as:

• School, college and university tuition

• Training program costs

• Degree and Certiﬁ cate programs

• Flight training

• On the-job training programs

• Apprenticeship programs

• Licensing and Certiﬁ cation Exams

G.I. Bill

education and training beneﬁ ts include the Montgomery G.I. Bill

, the

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill

, Survivors & Dependent Assistance, and the Veterans’

Educational Assistance Program. Additional VA education beneﬁ ts that may be

available under Vocational Rehabilitation, Career Counseling, VET TEC, and

similar programs.

• Visit www.va.gov/educaton to learn more about applying for and

using your education and training beneﬁ t, transferring entitlements,

and additional beneﬁ ts that may be available to you.

• Visit https://www.va.gov/education/choosing-a-school/ to more about

where you can use your beneﬁ ts and how those beneﬁ ts are applied at

different schools.

VETERAN ENTREPRENEURS

The Veteran Entrepreneur Program (VEP) assists veterans with starting businesses

and growing existing veteran-owned businesses through business planning,

securing of capital, and development of business fundamentals.

The Veteran Entrepreneur Program provides veterans with business tools,

resources, and direct support that can be leveraged towards business success.

The program continuously observes the Texas market landscape to create

programs that enhance the scope of services it delivers to veterans. Veteran

Business Consultants travel across the state to conduct and facilitate training

and informational seminars.

• The VEP provides community outreach through a series of informational

seminars, e-newsletters, and participation in resource partner events.

• The VEP directs veteran entrepreneurs to the many informational and

partner resources available for starting and running a business.

• The VEP provides personalized business assistance to help guide you

through all phases of your business from start-up to growth and ﬁ nally exit.

TVC VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR

AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 12277

Austin, TX 78711-2277

Phone: 512-463-0519

Email: vep@tvc.texas.gov

ENTREPRENEURS

FUND FOR VETERANS’ ASSISTANCE

The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grant

program awards reimbursement grants to eligible non-proﬁ t organizations, local

government agencies, and Veterans Service Organizations that provide direct

services to Texas veterans and their families.

The FVA does not grant funds directly to veterans. Veterans in need of assistance

are asked to visit the TVC website to ﬁ nd the organizations in their area for

information on receiving assistance.

https://www.tvc.texas.gov/grants/assistance

• General Assistance (GA)

General Assistance grants offer funding to eligible organizations that

provide direct services to Texas veterans and their families. Grants address

a broad range of needs, such as Financial Assistance, Supportive Services,

Pro Bono Legal Services.

• Housing 4 Texas Heroes (H4TXH)

The H4TXH grants offer funding to eligible organizations that assist Texas

veterans and their families with housing, such as Home Modiﬁ cations and

Veteran Homelesness Prevention.

• Veterans Mental Health (VMH)

Veterans Mental Health grant program provides funding to eligible

organizations that provide direct services such as Clinical Counseling and

Peer-Delivered Services.

• Veterans Treatment Courts (VTC)

Veterans Treatment Courts grants offer funding to local governments to

create, expand, or maintain a VTC program.

• Veterans County Service Ofﬁ cer (VCSO)

Veterans County Service Ofﬁ cer funding is reserved for VCSOs to address

the needs of Texas veterans and their families in the General Assistance,

Housing 4 Texas Heroes, and Veterans Mental Health grant programs.

TVC FUND FOR VETERANS’ ASSISTANCE

AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 12277

Austin, TX 78711-2277

Phone: 512-463-1157

Email: [email protected]xas.gov

FVA

HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY

The TVC Health Care Advocacy Program advocates are strategically positioned

within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, across the state of Texas,

working in partnership with VHA staff to provide channels through which patients

can seek solutions to problems, concerns, and unmet needs by working with health

care providers and support staff to prevent and resolve patient complaints.

Health Care Advocacy Program advocates interpret Veterans Health

Administration medical center policies and procedures while presenting veteran

concerns to appropriate personnel. Advocates assist veterans in understanding

his or her rights and responsibilities and work with veterans, their families, and

VA facility personnel in overcoming barriers to veteran’s health care.

The Health Care Advocacy Program assists veterans and their families in gaining

access to VA health care facilities and resolving patient concerns and issues.

In cooperation with VA health care providers and support staff, TVC advocates

identify existing and potential problems, and suggest solutions or alternatives.

Advocates assist with congressional inquiries and public relations to increase

community awareness and veteran awareness of VHA health care resources

and other veteran services within their local communities.

Direct Services Provided

• Access to internal or external (non-VA facility) appointments

• Assist veterans with complaints and grievances

• Resolve VA health care related billing

• Pharmacy/medication assistance

• Health care related testing and/or lab testing

• “Fee Basis” referrals such as outside referrals for health care services that

the VA does not perform at VA facilities

• Referrals to veteran service providers within the local community

TVC HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY OFFICE LOCATIONS

AMARILLO REGION

Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center

6010 Amarillo Blvd. West, Room 1204A, Amarillo, TX 79106

(Phone) 806-355-9703 ext. 17049; (Cell) 806-670-3958

AUSTIN REGION

Austin VA Outpatient Clinic

7901 Metropolis Dr., Room 1-G112, Austin, TX 78744

(Phone) 512-823-4305; (Cell) 512-627-3600

HCAP

BIG SPRING REGION

George H. O’Brien, Jr. VA Medical Center

300 Veterans Blvd., Room 147B; Big Spring, TX 79720

(Phone) 432-263-7361, ext. 5372; (Cell) 432-270-4256; (Fax) 432-268-5098

CORPUS CHRISTI REGION

Corpus Christi VA Specialty Outpatient Clinic

205 S. Enterprise Pkwy., Room J277, Corpus Christi, TX 78405

(Phone) 361-939-6510, ext. 62757 (Cell) 361-813-2264

DALLAS REGION

Dallas VA Medical Center

4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Bldg. 2, Room 1-C 423G, Dallas, TX 75216

(Phone) 214-857-0454; (Cell) 469-346-9228; (Fax) 214-857-0443

EL PASO REGION

El Paso VA Health Care Center

5001 N. Piedras, Room B-203C, El Paso, TX 79930

(Phone) 915-564-6100 ext. 6282; (Cell) 915-301-5676

FORT WORTH REGION

Fort Worth VA Outpatient Clinic

2201 S.E. Loop 820, Room 2-S, 307; Fort Worth, TX 76119

(Phone) 817-730-0400; (Cell) 469-340-7319; (Fax) 817-730-0605

HOUSTON REGION

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

2002 Holcombe Blvd., Room 5B-231, Houston, TX 77030

(Phone) 713-791-1414, ext. 23728; (Cell) 281-732-6020

McALLEN REGION

McAllen VA Outpatient Clinic

901 E. Hackberry Ave, Room E-400, McAllen, TX 78503

(Phone) 956-992-9837; (Cell) 956-310-2405; (Fax) 956-992-9849

TEMPLE REGION

Olin E. Teague Veterans Center

1901 Veterans Memorial Dr, Bldg. 204, Room 1J105, Temple, TX 76504

(Phone) 254-899-7726; (Cell) 254-239-6940; (Fax) 254-899-7901

TYLER REGION

Tyler VA Outpatient Clinic

7916 S. Broadway Room 106; Tyler, TX 75703

(Phone) 903-266-5900, ext. 33855

SAN ANTONIO REGION

Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Medical Center

7400 Merton Minter Dr., Room 105; San Antonio, TX 78229

(Phone) 210-617-5300, ext. 15901; (Cell) 210-823-4406; (Fax) 210-949-3935

HCAP

VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH

The Veterans Mental Health Department (VMHD) assists transitioning service

members, Texas veterans, their family members, and survivors in accessing mental

health care and support. Mental health care and support includes the Military

Veteran Peer Network (MVPN), licensed mental health professionals, community

and faith-based organizations, women and rural veteran mental health-focused

organizations/services, and justice-involved veteran services.

The VMHD addresses the issues facing military trauma-affected veterans. Military

trauma-affected veterans often have difﬁ culty accessing mental health resources

due to factors which may include, but are not limited to:

• Limited awareness and/or limited understanding of the need for mental

health services and support

• Lack of available mental health resources accessible to veterans upon

recognition of mental health needs

• A lack of community awareness of military-related traumas, which may

exacerbate veteran mental health conditions.

The VMHD provides military trauma-informed training and technical assistance to

peer-to-peer support programs, licensed mental health professionals, community

and faith-based organizations, the Texas criminal justice system, and women and

rural veteran-serving organizations/services to create greater collaboration,

access to, and awareness of mental health resources for veterans.

Military Veteran Peer Network and Peer-to-Peer Support

The VMHD provides training, certiﬁ cation, and technical assistance to the Military

Veteran Peer Network’s (MVPN) peer service coordinators and their volunteer

peers to create a statewide peer-to-peer network of support for military-trauma

affected veterans. Contact the department to ﬁ nd a peer coordinator near you.

AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 12277 Phone: 512-638-3521

Austin, TX 78711-2277 512-463-6091

Email: [email protected]xas.gov Website: www.milvetpeer.net

MENTAL HEALTH

WOMEN VETERANS

The Women Veterans Program (WVP) bridges the gap between Texas women

veterans and the services and beneﬁ ts they have earned. The program ensures

that the women veterans of Texas have equitable access to federal and state

veterans’ beneﬁ ts and services. WVP works to increase support for women

veterans throughout Texas by collaborating with federal, state, county, municipal,

and private agencies that provide services to women veterans.

Outreach

The Women Veterans Program informs women veterans about the services and

beneﬁ ts available to them through the Texas Veterans Commission and provides

guidance and direction to women veterans applying for grants, beneﬁ ts, or

services including, but not limited to:

• Education (i.e. Hazlewood Act, Montgomery GI Bill, and Post 9/11 GI Bill)

• Claims

• Employment

• Health Care Advocacy

• Mental Health - Military Veteran Peer Network, Peer-to-Peer Support

• Veteran Entrepreneur Program

Education

The Women Veterans Program, in coordination with federal, state, county,

municipal, and private agencies, plans and conducts conferences, seminars,

training workshops, and state-wide community events to:

• Improve the awareness of women veteran’s eligibility for federal and state

beneﬁ ts and services

• Assess the needs of women veterans with respect to beneﬁ ts and services

• Connect women veterans to those agencies that meet the needs of women

veterans

Recognition

The Women Veterans Program creates public awareness by recognizing and

honoring the women veterans of this state and women who serve in the military

Through various events and outreach including annual women veteran’s community

outreach campaigns and Women Veterans Day events, the number of women

veterans who identify as a veteran increases.

Women Veterans Professional Network

The Women Veterans Professional Network is a closed social media network that

provides a safe environment for women veterans to connect with each other on

the topics of employment, women’s health, and entrepreneurship.

https://goo.gl/DsYEFJ

AUSTIN HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 12277 Phone: 832-728-3624

Austin, TX 78711-2277 Email: texaswomenvets@tvc.texas.gov

VETERAN STATE BENEFITS

Special/Disabled Vehicle License Plates and Permits

A Texas driver’s license or ID card may be provided free-of-charge to a veteran

who is honorably discharged, with a service-connected disability of at least 60%

or more. 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 vehi-

cles. Disabled veterans must have a service-connected disability rating of 50%

or greater or 40% due to amputation of a lower extremity. Applicants must have

been honorably discharged if no longer a member of the service. The surviving

spouse of a person who would be eligible for military or veteran plates is entitled

to continue to register one vehicle with the specialty license plate as long as the

spouse remains unmarried.

For more information on specialty/disabled plates and permits, visit

https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/license-plates/specialty-license-plates

Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Disabled Veteran Super Combo Hunting and All-Water Fishing packages

available to disabled veterans for free.

Who qualiﬁ es? A disabled veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces is one who has a

service-connected disability, as deﬁ ned by the VA, with a disability rating of 50%

or greater, and who is receiving compensation from the VA for the disability.

For more information visit tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses

Property Tax Exemption for Veterans

Texas law provides partial property tax exemptions for any property owned by

disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and children of deceased disabled veterans.

It also provides a partial exemption for residence homesteads donated to

disabled veterans by charitable organizations that also extend to surviving

spouses who have not remarried. The amount of exemption is determined

according to the percentage of service-connected disability.

No Cost Medical Records

Texas veterans are eligible for no cost medical records. The health care provider

or health care facility is not required to provide more than one complete record

for the patient or former patient without charge. Also, it should be noted, that

some medical facilities will charge a small administrative fee for obtaining the

records.

State Park Admission

The State Parklands Passport provides free admission to Texas State Parks for

any veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 60% or greater, or

a service-connected disability that resulted in the loss of use of a lower extremity.

Applications for the State Parklands Passport can be made at the headquarters

ofﬁ ce of any Texas State Park by providing evidence of the disability rating. The

State Parklands Passport is available to any veteran who meets the requirements,

whether or not the veteran resides in Texas. Veterans will only receive free

admission to state parks; the Passport does not exempt veterans from payment

of other charges, such as parking or camping fees. For more information, visit

the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Insurance

Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a program of post-separation insurance

which allows service members to convert their SGLI coverage to renewable term

insurance. All service members with full-time SGLI coverage are eligible for VGLI

upon release from service.

How to get it?

Veterans leaving the service must elect to convert their SGLI coverage to VGLI.

• You must apply within one year and 120 days from discharge.

• Service members who submit their application within 120 days of

discharge do not need to submit evidence of good health.

• Service members who apply after the 120 day period must submit

evidence of good health.

Free Recording of Discharges

Under Texas State law, Local Government Code Sec. 0192.002, the County

Clerk in each County is required to record, free of charge, the ofﬁ cial discharge

of each veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. This free service is very

important as it provides veterans with a ready source from which they can obtain

a certiﬁ ed copy of their discharge whenever it is needed. It’s the veteran’s

responsibility to have the DD214 or Discharge recorded. Please also note that if

you do record your DD214 with the County Clerk, it then becomes a public record.

Contract Preferences

All state agencies, when purchasing goods, including agricultural goods, shall give

preference to goods produced or offered by a Texas bidder. A Texas bidder

that is owned by a service-disabled veteran who is a Texas resident shall be

given a ﬁ rst preference and goods produced in this state or offered by other

Texas bidders shall be given second preference if the cost to the state and

quality are equal.

VETERAN STATE BENEFITS

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB)

In 1946 the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) was established to administer

beneﬁ ts exclusively for Texas Veterans. Since then, the VLB has funded more than

200,000 loans for Veterans and Military Members in Texas. The VLB is proud to

serve those who have served our country. Contact the VLB at 1-800-252-8387,

weekdays from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. CT. [email protected]xas.gov

Land Loan Program

The VLB Veterans Land Loan Program is the only one of its kind in the nation,

giving Texas Veterans and Military Members the opportunity to borrow up to

$150,000 to purchase land at competitive interest rates while typically requiring

a minimum ﬁ ve percent down payment for tracts of one acre or more.

The program is easy to use and offers Texas Veterans and Military Members

exclusive ﬁ nancing towards the purchase of their own piece of Texas. The bonds

used to fund the program are retired from loan repayments and the cost of

administering the program is ﬁ nanced through a small fee charged on each loan.

Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP)

The Veterans Housing Assistance Program provides ﬁ nancing toward the purchase

of a home to qualiﬁ ed Texas veterans. Loans may be originated through the Texas

Veterans Land Board. There is no maximum sales price with the VHAP.

The VHAP is not a reﬁ nancing program. If you have an existing home loan, you

cannot use the VHAP to lower your interest rate, nor can the VHAP be used as a

down payment. It can only be used as a ﬁ rst lien on your primary residence. The

term of the loan can be 15, 20, 25 or 30 years.

The VHAP must be originated in conjunction with Federal Housing Administration

(FHA), Veterans Administration (VA), or conventional ﬁ nancing. All VLB loans

require an escrow account for taxes and insurance.

Veterans Home Improvement Loan Program

The VLB will lend to eligible Texas veterans on a ﬁ xed rate note for substantial

repairs to their existing primary residence. No down payment is required. All

loans are FHA-insured.

The veteran cannot advance any funds to the contractor or purchase materials

prior to receipt of loan proceeds from the VLB. The VLB must be in a ﬁ rst or

second lien position. All property improvements should be completed within six

months from the date of disbursal of loan proceeds. If the veteran is required to

vacate the home while the improvements are being made, the veteran must re-

occupy it within 60 days after completion of the construction.

Texas State Veterans Homes

Texas State Veterans Homes provide affordable, long-term nursing care for

qualiﬁ ed Veterans, spouses and Gold Star Parents. Texas State Veterans Homes

are owned by the state of Texas and are regulated by both the Texas Health and

Human Services Commission as well as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

(VA). Third-party operators manage the day-to-day operations of the Veterans

homes. The Texas Veterans Land Board oversees the operators and has an on-site

representative in each Veterans home. The VA does not own or manage Texas

State Veterans Homes.

There are many advantages to living in a Texas State Veterans Home from the

Veteran-centered care, the VA per diem that helps alleviate some costs of care

(including therapy and medication) and the camaraderie of living with fellow

veterans who have similar life experiences.

Veterans’ Call Center: 1-800-252-VETS (8387) (In-State Only)

The Veterans’ Call Center is a joint partnership between the Texas Veterans

Commission and the Veterans Land Board to connect veterans to the beneﬁ ts and

services earned through their military service.

Texas Military Department

The Texas Military Department (TMD) is the executive portion of the Texas Military

and consists of all staff directorates and component headquarters exercising

control of military forces, facilities, installations, activities and functions under the su-

pervision of The Adjutant General. The A.G. is the governing ofﬁ cer, policy

maker, head of the department and Commander of the Texas Military Forces. TMD is

the state agency charged with administrative activities in support of the Texas Military

Forces.

The Texas Military Forces consist of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air

National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the Domestic Operations Task Force, and

any other military force organized under state law. Through the Family Support

Services Ofﬁ ce, the TMD has a number of programs and partnerships with services

available to Texas service members, veterans, and families such as: Family Assistance,

Transition Assistance, Mental Health & Counseling Services, Employment and Financial

Assistance, Retirement Services, and TRICARE Services. tmd.texas.gov

Health and Human Services Commission

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) mission is to maintain and

improve the health and human services system in Texas and to administer its

programs in accordance with the highest standards of customer service and

accountability for the effective use of funds. HHSC oversees the operations of

the health and human services system, provides administrative oversight of Texas

health and human services programs, and provides direct administration of some

programs. HHSC’s Veterans Service Division initiative is responsible for reviewing

programs and beneﬁ ts available for veterans and recommends ways to improve

and better coordinate those services. The initiative will work with staff at all ﬁ ve

health and human services agencies as well as other state agencies and

community-based organizations that serve Veterans. www.hhsc.state.tx.us

The Health and Human Services Commission, Aging and Disability Resource

Centers (ADRCs) are a key point of access for person-centered long-term services

and supports (LTSS) specialized information, referral, and assistance. ADRCs

promote linkages to existing military and veteran services programs and beneﬁ ts

as well as other local and state level LTSS. Programs and services available vary

by region and may include: transportation, beneﬁ ts and system navigation

assistance, care coordination, beneﬁ ts application assistance, veteran-directed

home and community-based services. The local ADRC may be contacted by calling

1-855-YES-ADRC (855-937-2372).

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

State Bar of Texas

The State Bar of Texas administers the Texas Lawyers for Texas veterans program

to develop and assist pro bono legal clinics throughout the state for military

veterans who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services

they need. www.texasbar.com

Texas Workforce Commission

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) provides employment assistance as well

as education and training to the general public who are seeking employment.

Along with speciﬁ c federal and state statute to provide priority of service to

veterans, TWC has a long tradition of supporting Texas veterans because they

believe veterans are equipped with the technical skills, education, professionalism,

and leadership experience sought by Texas employers. The TWC Veterans pro-

gram includes: www.twc.state.tx.us

• College Credit for Heroes:

• Texas Veterans Leadership Program

• State of Texas Soldier Employment Initiative

• Red, White, and You Veteran Job Fair

• Veterans Workforce Outreach Initiative

• Skills for Veterans

• Apprenticeship for Veterans

• Texas Wide Open for Veterans

• Operation Welcome Home

• Military Family Support Pilot Program

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides leadership and

coordination for the Texas higher education system. Since being created by the

Texas Legislature in 1965, the Board has worked to achieve excellence for the

college education of Texas students. The Board meets four times a year. Meetings

occur in Austin but are usually also broadcast on the Web.

www.thecb.state.tx.us

Texas Workforce Investment Council

The Texas Workforce Investment Council assists the Governor and the legislature

with strategic planning for and evaluation of the Texas workforce system, which

is comprised of eight state agencies, their local program providers, and over 20

diverse and dynamic programs. The Council assists with the coordination of

determining employer workforce needs and satisfaction with programs and

services. The Council’s partner agencies, including TVC, gather data from

employer customers at appropriate intervals to determine employer needs and

satisfaction. TVC’s efforts to determine and respond to employer needs, thereby

enhancing employment opportunities for veterans, was initiated under the previous

system strategic plan and continues under the recently approved Texas Workforce

System Strategic Plan FY 2016–FY 2023. TVC’s work to gather information and

data by surveying employer continues, and results demonstrate a high response

rate and a very high satisfaction level among employers who used the agency’s

employment services. governor.state.tx.us/twic

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Texas Department of Public Safety

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) proactively protects the citizens of

Texas in an ever changing threat environment while always remaining faithful to

the U.S. and State Constitution. DPS offers a designation of “VETERAN” on driver’s

licenses issued to Texas veterans so they can easily prove their eligibility when

applying for various beneﬁ ts in addition to free and discounted licenses.

www.txdps.state.tx.us

Department of State Health Services

Programs implemented by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

are based on recommendations included in the 2008 DSHS report Behavioral

Health Services for Returning Veterans and Their Families: Service Gaps and

Recommendations and a 2011 update. The programs use funds appropriated by

the Legislature. The primary objective is to provide Peer-to-Peer support for

service members, veterans, and family members by organizing activities to

identify individuals who can beneﬁ t from support services provided by trained

veterans. The activities include one-on-one mentoring, and support group discus-

sions. The aim is to develop trust relationships built on shared life experiences

in developing skills and access to resources useful in adapting to post-traumatic

stress and traumatic brain injuries. www.dshs.state.tx.us

Department of Aging and Disability Services

The Department of Aging and Disability Services, Aging and Disability Resource

Centers (ADRCs) are a key point of access for person-centered long-term services

and supports (LTSS) specialized information, referral, and assistance. ADRC’s

promote linkages to existing military and veteran services programs and beneﬁ ts,

as well as other local and state level LTSS. Programs and services available vary

by region and may include: transportation, beneﬁ ts and system navigation

assistance, care coordination, beneﬁ ts application assistance, veteran-directed

home and community-based services. https://hhs.texas.gov/hhs-services

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is engaged in a

memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-

Veterans Rehabilitation and Employment (VA-VRE) to expand employment and

rehabilitation services to veterans with disabilities in geographic areas beyond

the reach of VA-VRE. DARS counselors work directly with VA employment

counselors to address the unique needs in each of DARs ﬁ ve regions. DARS

cultivates business partnerships with major employers to create employment

opportunities for people with disabilities. One particular effort is the partnership

with the second largest home improvement store chain designed speciﬁ cally

for eligible veterans with disabilities. The program is being replicated statewide

to serve more veterans with disabilities. https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/leadership/

advisory-committees/dars-programs-services-have-transferred-new-agencies

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Department of Family and Protective Services

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works with communities

to protect children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect,

and exploitation. It also works to protect the health and safety of children in

daycare, foster care and other types of 24-hour care. We do this through

investigations, services and referrals, regulation, and prevention programs.

www.dfps.state.tx.us

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement has been committed for several years

to assist and expedite the ability of veterans to re-enter the Texas workplace in

the ﬁ eld of law enforcement. They have had in place since 2009 a process

through which veterans with military law enforcement experience can become

Texas peace ofﬁ cers without having to participate in redundant training.

www.tcole.texas.gov

Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is organized by administration,

districts, divisions and ofﬁ ces. Four regional support centers provide operational

and project delivery support for the agency’s 25 geographical districts. TxDOT’s

workforce is made up of engineers, administrators, ﬁ nancial experts, designers,

architects, sign makers, accountants, purchasers, maintenance workers, travel

counselors and many other professions. All of our employees work together to

realize the TxDOT mission: providing safe and reliable transportation solutions

for Texas. TxDOT provides funding and assistance for transportation services and

programs that can be used to serve and support veterans. www.txdot.gov

Department of Motor Vehicles

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) offers a number of license

plates speciﬁ cally for military veterans and military medal honorees at no fee

and/or reduced fee. There are three categories of military license plates:

Meritorious Service, Recognition Award, and Military Service.

Meritorious Service category license plates are issued at no fee (plate or

registration) for the ﬁ rst set. Recognition Award category license plates require

the payment of a $3 plate fee; however, there is no requirement for the payment

of annual registration fees. Military Service category license plates require the

payment of the annual registration fee; however, there no plate fee. This applies

to ﬁ rst and additional sets. www.txdmv.gov

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) manages offenders in state

prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities that contract with TDCJ.

TDCJ honors and supports veterans by granting them employment preferences,

and fully recognizes, honors, and enforces the Uniformed Services Employment

and Reemployment Rights Act, a law which protects the civilian job rights and

beneﬁ ts of United States military service personnel.

TDCJ has a history of successful recruiting at military bases and continues to

actively recruit personnel who are about to be honorably discharged. Military

veterans and staff have a great number of skills and quality training, along with

experience handling a variety of responsibilities. www.tdcj.state.tx.us

The Ofﬁ ce of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC)

The OPUC was created in 1983 in response to legislative and consumer groups

concerns that residential and small commercial utility consumers were not

adequately represented in utility proceedings. OPUC is charged with representing

residential and small commercial consumers, as a class, in proceedings affecting

utility rates and services. OPUC represents consumers’ interests before the Public

Utility Commission (PUC), the Texas Reliability Entity, the Electric Reliability Council

of Texas (ERCOT), and state and federal courts. The agency also provides

information to service members, veterans and their families and provides

presentations, upon request, to military groups and organizations representing

service members and their families. http://www.opuc.texas.gov

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is committed to

providing expedited services to veterans and military spouses and is proud to be

a member of the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services.

www.tdlr.texas.gov

• TDLR provides expedited licensing for military spouses and veterans

transitioning to civilian occupations regulated by TDLR.

• Veterans are allowed to credit veriﬁ ed military experience, training, or

education toward fulﬁ lling licensing requirements. Currently, six TDLR

programs have a corresponding MOS allowing for this credit.

• TDLR license application fees are waived for veterans if the applicant’s

military service, training, or education substantially meets all of the

requirements of the license.

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Commission on Jail Standards

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards is the regulatory agency over Texas

county jails. While the agency does not provide direct services to veterans, the

agency actively engages with sheriffs, county ofﬁ cials, and jail administrators

about available resources for justice-involved veterans.

Activities include disseminating technical assistance memos to counties about

veterans’ services found at the local, state, and federal level, writing articles

on veterans’ resources in our agency newsletter, and inviting veterans groups to

speak during our agency presentations at training conferences.

As part of its regulatory requirements, the Commission mandates county jails

utilize the Department of Veteran Affairs’ Veteran Reentry Search Service (VRSS)

to identify veterans. The VRSS provides real-time identiﬁ cation of veterans

to county corrections ofﬁ cers. After justice-involved veterans are identiﬁ ed, our

goal is that counties can link veterans to available services and resources.

www.tcjs.state.tx.us

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is the state

agency responsible for promoting and preserving affordable home ownership,

ﬁ nancing the development of affordable rental housing, ensuring long-term

stability and habitability of housing for low-income households, supporting

community and energy assistance programs, and providing housing activities in

the colonies. TDHCA is also responsible for the regulation of the state’s

manufactured housing industry. www.tdhca.state.tx.us

Texas Veterans Mobile App

The Texas Veterans Mobile App gives Texas veterans quick access to the Veterans

Crisis Line, the Hotline for Women Veterans, the Military Veteran Peer Network,

and the Texas Veterans Portal. The app, which can be downloaded from both

Google Play and the App Store, works on most iPhones and Android mobile

phones. https://www.texvet.org/tva

Texas Online: Texas Veterans Portal

The Texas Veterans Portal provides information from federal and state agencies

in a comprehensive collection of links about veteran’s beneﬁ t information. The

website contains information to assist the veteran and their family in buying a

home or land, receiving education beneﬁ ts, ﬁ nding a job, health care resources

and more. veterans.portal.texas.gov

STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

TEXAS MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

Dyess AFB - Arnold Boulevard and S. 7th., Dyess AFB, TX 79607

www.dyess.af.mil Phone: (325) 696-0212

Ellington Field Joint Reserve AFB - 11210 Blume Ave., Houston, TX 77034

hƩ p://www.militarybases.us/air-force/ellington-ﬁ eld-joint-reserve-base/

Fort Bliss - HQ, US Army Garrison, Fort Bliss ATTN: IMBL-ZA, 1741 Marshall Road

Fort Bliss, Texas 79916 hƩ ps://home.army.mil/bliss/ Phone: (915) 568-2121

Fort Hood - T.J. Mills Boulevard & BaƩ alion, Bldg 18010, 3rd Floor - Rm A308,

Ft. Hood, TX 76544 hƩ ps://home.army.mil/hood/ Phone: (254) 287-2520

Goodfellow AFB - 351t Kearney Blvd., GAFB, TX 76908-4304

www.goodfellow.af.mil Phone: (325) 654-1110

Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland Randolph Sam Houston) -

2330 Stanley Rd., San Antonio, TX 78234 www.jbsa.mil

Lackland (210) 671-1110; Randolph (210) 652-1110; Sam Houston (210) 221-1110

Laughlin AFB - 548 Laughlin Dr., Bldg. 468, Laughlin AFB, TX 78843

www.laughlin.af.mil Phone: (830) 298-5620

Naval Air StaƟ on Corpus ChrisƟ - 10651 E St., Bldg. H-100 5th Deck,

Corpus ChrisƟ , TX 78419-5021 Phone: (361) 961-2372

hƩ ps://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installaƟ ons/nas_corpus_chrisƟ .html

Naval Air StaƟ on Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth

1510 Chenault Ave., NAS JRB Ft. Worth, Ft. Worth, TX 76113

hƩ ps://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installaƟ ons/nas_jrb_fort_worth.html

Phone: (817) 782-5000

Naval Air StaƟ on Kingsville

554 McCain St., Suite #214, NAS Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363

hƩ ps://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installaƟ ons/nas_kingsville.html

Phone: (361) 516-6500

Red River Army Depot - 100 James Carlow Dr., Red River Army Depot,

Texarkana, TX 75507 www.redriver.army.mil

Phone: (903) 334-4137

Sheppard AFB - 1810 J. Ave., Sheppard AFB, TX 76311-2540

www.sheppard.af.mil Phone: (940) 676-2511

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS

2022

Texas Veterans Commission

P.O. Box 12277

AusƟ n, Texas 78711-2277

(512) 463-6564

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