Texas Veteran Family, Spouse & Survivor Benefits Guide
Table of Content:
- Texas Veteran Spouse Benefits: Support for Military Partners
- Texas Veteran Survivor & Burial Benefits: Honoring Service and Supporting Families
- Texas Gold Star Family Benefits: Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice
- The Hazlewood Legacy Program: Transforming Education for Military Families
When a service member dedicates their life to protecting our country, their family stands beside them through every challenge, deployment and sacrifice. Texas recognizes this unwavering commitment and has built one of the most comprehensive support systems in the nation. But it’s not just for Veterans themselves; it’s for their spouses, dependents and Gold Star families who have experienced the ultimate sacrifice.
If you’re part of a Texas military family, you need to know that you’re not alone. The Lone Star State provides extensive benefits designed to honor your sacrifice and support your family’s well-being, education and financial stability From tuition-free college education through the Hazlewood Legacy Program and burial honors at state Veterans cemeteries, from property tax relief to survivor pensions, Texas offers some of the strongest family-focused Veteran benefits in the country.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every major program available to military families in Texas. We’ll cover spouse support programs that provide healthcare access and education assistance, survivor and burial benefits that ensure dignity and financial security after loss, the transformative Hazlewood Legacy Program that can transfer up to 150 credit hours of tuition-free education to your children or spouse and specialized resources for Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in service.
Understanding these benefits, such as Hazlewood Spouse Eligibility can be overwhelming, especially during difficult times. That’s why we’ve simplified the process, breaking down eligibility requirements, application procedures and contact information so you know exactly where to start.
Let’s explore how these benefits can make a meaningful difference in your family’s life.
Texas Veteran Spouse Benefits: Support for Military Partners
Military spouses carry unique stressors, which include frequent relocations, solo parenting during deployments and career sacrifices that come with the military lifestyle. Texas recognizes these challenges and provides robust Texas Veteran spouse benefits designed to support the partners who keep military families strong.
Education and Career Development
One of the most valuable Texas Veteran spouse benefits is access to education assistance. Through the Hazlewood Act, eligible spouses can receive tuition exemptions at Texas public colleges and universities. Additionally, many community colleges and vocational schools offer priority enrollment and specialized career counseling for military spouses, helping them build portable careers that survive frequent moves.
The Texas Workforce Commission also provides employment assistance specifically tailored to military spouses, including resume building, interview preparation and connections to military-friendly employers who understand the unique needs of military families.
Healthcare Access
Spouses of Veterans may qualify for healthcare through the VA healthcare system, particularly if the Veteran has a service-connected disability rating. Dependents VA benefits Texas programs include CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs), which provides comprehensive health coverage when the spouse is not eligible for TRICARE.
Additionally, some Texas Veterans’ hospitals and clinics extend certain services to family members, especially for mental health support and counseling related to the challenges of military life. The Texas Veterans Commission can help determine which Hazlewood dependents VA benefits Texas programs your family qualifies for based on the Veteran’s service record and disability status.
Property Tax Exemptions
Texas offers significant property tax relief that extends to surviving spouses. If a Veteran had a 100% disability rating or died from a service-connected disability, their surviving spouse may qualify for a total property tax exemption on their homestead. This exemption remains in effect as long as the surviving spouse does not remarry and continues to own and occupy the home.
Even partial disability ratings can result in property tax reductions that benefit the entire family, providing long-term financial relief that can make homeownership more affordable for military families facing medical expenses or reduced income.
Getting Started with Spouse Benefits
To access Texas Veteran spouse benefits, begin by gathering the Veteran’s DD-214 form, marriage certificate, and any VA disability rating documentation. Contact the Texas Veterans Commission at 1-800-252-VETS (8387) or visit your local Veterans County Service Office. These professionals can assess your situation and guide you through applications for education benefits, healthcare enrollment, and property tax exemptions.
The Texas Veterans Land Board also administers several programs that benefit spouses, including home and land loans with favorable terms for military families. Their counselors can explain how your spouse’s military service translates into tangible financial advantages for your family.
Texas Veteran Survivor & Burial Benefits: Honoring Service and Supporting Families
When a Veteran passes away, their family faces not only grief but also financial and logistical challenges. Texas provides comprehensive survivor and burial benefits to ensure that those who served receive dignified final honors while their families receive the financial support they deserve.
Texas State Veterans Cemeteries
Texas operates four state Veterans cemeteries that provide free burial space, opening and closing of graves, a grave liner, perpetual care and a government headstone or marker at no cost to eligible Veterans and their spouses. The Texas state Veterans cemeteries directory includes:
- Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen
- Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission
- Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi
- Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
These beautiful, maintained grounds offer a peaceful final resting place with full military honors. Spouses and eligible dependents can be buried alongside the Veteran at no additional cost, ensuring families remain together. To arrange burial at a state cemetery, contact the Texas Veterans Land Board at 1-800-252-VETS or visit their website to begin the pre-need application process.
VA Burial Benefits and Allowances
Beyond state cemeteries, Texas Veteran burial benefits include VA burial allowances that help cover funeral and burial costs. Veterans who die from service-connected conditions may qualify for up to $2,000 in burial expenses plus a $796 plot interment allowance.
Non-service-connected death benefits provide up to $796 for burial and $796 for plot interment.
Families should apply for these benefits through the VA by submitting VA Form 21P-530 along with the Veteran’s DD-214, death certificate and funeral home receipts. The Texas Veterans Commission can assist with this paperwork and ensure all available Texas Veteran burial benefits are claimed.
Survivor Pensions and DIC
Surviving spouses and dependent children may qualify for ongoing financial support through VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation or survivor pensions. VA DIC Texas is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
As of 2024, VA DIC Texas provides a basic monthly rate of over $1,500 for surviving spouses, with additional amounts for dependent children. This benefit continues for life unless the surviving spouse remarries before age 57.
Survivor pensions are needs-based benefits for low-income surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime Veterans. To learn how to apply for survivor pension in Texas, contact your local Veterans County Service Office, which can evaluate your income, help complete VA Form 21P-534EZ and submit your application with supporting documentation.
Understanding how to apply for survivor pension in Texas is crucial because these benefits can provide essential income security during a difficult transition. The application process requires detailed financial information, the Veteran’s service records and the marriage certificate . However, county service officers provide free assistance to streamline the process.
Additional Survivor Support
Texas also provides a burial allowance of up to $2,000 for eligible indigent Veterans through the Texas Veterans Commission. This benefit helps families who might struggle with funeral costs, ensuring every Veteran receives respectful final services regardless of financial circumstances.
Texas Gold Star Family Benefits: Honoring the Ultimate Sacrifice
Gold Star families have made the ultimate sacrifice; losing a loved one in military service. Texas recognizes this profound loss and provides specialized programs designed to honor their sacrifice while providing practical assistance and community recognition.
The Texas Gold Star License Plate Program
One of the most visible forms of recognition is the Texas Gold Star license plate program, which allows Gold Star family members to display specialty license plates at no charge. These plates honor the fallen service member and identify the family’s sacrifice to the community.
The program includes several plate designs, and eligible family members include surviving spouses, parents and children of service members who died on active duty or from service-connected causes. To apply for these license plates, Gold Star families should contact their local Texas Department of Motor Vehicles office with proof of their relationship to the fallen service member and a copy of the casualty report or death certificate.
Beyond serving as a tribute, the license plate program creates awareness about military sacrifice and often results in expressions of gratitude and support from fellow Texans who recognize these special plates.
Counseling and Emotional Support
The emotional toll of losing a service member extends far beyond the immediate aftermath. Texas provides long-term military family support in Texas with specialized counseling programs for Gold Star families. The Texas Veterans Commission coordinates with nonprofit organizations to offer grief counseling for Haz, support groups, and annual remembrance events where Gold Star families can connect with others who understand their experience.
Several nonprofit organizations complement state programs with additional military family support Texas services. The Travis Manion Foundation, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the American Gold Star Mothers organization host regular gatherings in Texas cities, providing both emotional support and practical guidance on navigating benefits and maintaining connections with the military community.
Financial and Education Support
Financial support gold star families Texas programs include priority consideration for many state benefits. Gold Star spouses receive preference in state employment, which can provide stable income and health insurance during a difficult transition period. Many Texas employers also participate in military spouse employment initiatives that prioritize Gold Star family members.
Education support represents one of the most significant resources available. Through the program, eligible Gold Star children can receive up to 150 credit hours of tuition-free education at Texas public colleges and universities.
Additionally, many Texas universities offer specific scholarships for Gold Star dependents, including the Folds of Honor scholarship program and university-specific memorial scholarships. Financial support gold star families Texas extends to reduced-cost or free childcare programs, summer camps designed specifically for children who have lost a military parent, and financial planning assistance through nonprofit organizations.
Community Recognition and Support
Texas communities regularly honor Gold Star families through memorial events, fallen hero highway dedications and inclusion in Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. Many cities designate Gold Star Family Day each September, hosting special recognition events and providing resources to these families.
The Texas legislature has also passed various measures ensuring Gold Star families receive priority access to state services, from college admissions to hunting and fishing licenses. This recognition acknowledges that military family support Texas extends beyond financial benefits to include honoring sacrifice through community awareness and respect.
The Hazlewood Legacy Program: Transforming Education for Military Families
Perhaps the most powerful educational benefit Texas offers to military families is the Hazlewood Legacy Program, which allows eligible Veterans to transfer their unused Hazlewood Act education benefits to their children or spouse. This program can provide up to 150 credit hours of tuition-free education at Texas public colleges and universities; an opportunity worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Understanding the Hazlewood Legacy Program
This program is an extension of the original Hazlewood Act, which provides free tuition for Veterans. When eligible Veterans don’t fully use their own 150-hour exemption, they can designate dependents or a spouse to receive the remaining hours. This means a Texas Veteran who completed a four-year degree using 120 hours could transfer the remaining 30 hours to their child or spouse, or if they never used the benefit themselves, transfer all 150 hours.
The program covers tuition and most mandatory fees at Texas public colleges, universities, and technical schools. While it doesn’t cover books or housing, the savings are substantial. Savings range from $10,000-$15,000 per year at a major university, meaning the full 150 hours could be worth $50,000-$100,000 depending on the institution.
Eligibility Requirements
To transfer benefits through the Hazelwood legacy program, the Veteran must meet specific eligibility criteria. The Veteran must:
- Be a Texas resident who served in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Have received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions
- Served at least 181 days of active military duty (excluding training)
- Was discharged due to a service-connected disability
- Died during active duty service
For Hazelwood spouse eligibility, the Veteran must have been a Texas resident at the time of entry into the service or established Texas residency within three years of discharge. The spouse must be married to the Veteran at the time of transfer designation.
For Hazelwood dependents, eligibility includes biological children, adopted children and stepchildren. The child must be under age 26 at the time they use the benefit and must be classified as a Texas resident for tuition purposes.
How to Apply for Benefits
The application process for the Hazlewood Act Texas Veterans legacy program involves several steps:
- Veteran Designation: The eligible Veteran must complete the Hazlewood Act Legacy Form through the Texas Veterans Commission, officially designating which dependent or spouse will receive the benefit and how many hours to transfer. This form requires the Veteran’s DD-214, Texas Driver’s License, and dependent identification information.
- School Certification: Once designated, Hazlewood dependents or the eligible spouse must submit the exemption certificate to the registrar’s office at their chosen Texas public college or university before the semester begins. Each institution has specific deadline requirements, typically several weeks before classes start.
- Ongoing Verification: Students using the Hazelwood Legacy program must maintain satisfactory academic progress (typically a 2.0 GPA or higher) and remain enrolled at least half-time. Schools verify eligibility each semester before applying the tuition exemption.
Maximizing the Hazlewood Legacy Benefit
Families should strategically plan how to use Hazelwood legacy program hours. Consider these approaches:
- Higher-cost institutions first: Use hours at more expensive universities (like UT Austin or Texas A&M) where the benefit value is greatest
- Graduate programs: Hours can be applied to master’s and doctoral programs, which are often more expensive than undergraduate education
- Multiple dependents: If you have several children, carefully allocate hours among them based on their educational plans and other scholarship opportunities they may receive
The Hazelwood spouse eligibility also offers valuable opportunities for military spouses who had to postpone their education due to military moves and family responsibilities. Many spouses use this benefit to complete degrees or earn professional certifications that improve their career prospects, recognizing that Hazlewood Spouse Eligibility provides a second chance at education that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
Important Limitations and Considerations
While the Hazelwood legacy program is incredibly generous, families should understand its limitations. The benefit only applies to Texas public institutions; private colleges and out-of-state schools are not covered. Additionally, once hours are designated to a specific dependent, they cannot be transferred to another family member.
Veterans who served before September 1, 2009, may have different eligibility rules, and the Hazelwood Act Texas Veterans Legacy program has been modified over time. Always verify current requirements with the Texas Veterans Commission to ensure your family meets all criteria before making educational plans based on this benefit.
Texas Families Are Never Alone
Military families give so much to our nation. Texas recognizes these sacrifices and has built comprehensive support systems to honor that service and provide practical assistance when it matters most.
From Texas Veteran spouse benefits that provide education opportunities and healthcare access, to survivor pensions that offer financial security after loss, to the transformative Hazlewood legacy program that can fund a child’s entire college education, Texas demonstrates that supporting military families is never not a priority.
Whether you’re exploring dependents VA benefits Texas to access healthcare for your children, researching how to apply for survivor pension in Texas and Hazelwood spouse eligibility after losing a spouse, navigating the Texas gold star license plate program as recognition of your sacrifice or planning how to use Hazelwood dependents benefits to fund your child’s education, these programs exist specifically to support you and your family.
Military family support Texas also extends beyond government programs. Countless nonprofit organizations, community groups and fellow Veterans stand ready to provide guidance, emotional support, and practical assistance. The Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Veterans Land Board, and local Veterans County Service Offices employ professionals dedicated to helping families understand their eligibility and complete applications correctly.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, remember that you don’t have to navigate this alone. Understanding Hazelwood spouse eligibility, accessing benefits, locating information through the Texas State Veterans cemeteries directory or finding financial support gold star families Texas all starts with a single phone call or visit to a Veterans service office.
The benefits available to Texas military families represent some of the strongest family-focused Veteran benefits in the entire country. These programs can unlock significant long-term financial and emotional support that makes a real difference in your family’s quality of life.
Take the next step today. Contact the Texas Veterans Commission at 1-800-252-VETS (8387) or visit www.tvc.texas.gov to speak with a counselor who can assess your specific situation and guide you through the application process.
You can also visit your local Veterans County Service Office for personalized assistance with benefits applications. Explore the Texas Veteran spouse benefits, alternative program opportunities and survivor resources that your family has earned through service and sacrifice.
Explore other texas veteran resources
Below you’ll find a complete breakdown of Texas Veteran benefits and support programs available in 2026. These categories cover everything from VA compensation, healthcare, education, housing, and employment, to financial assistance, legal help, family benefits, and exclusive Veteran discounts. Each section links to detailed guides designed to help Veterans, service members, and families understand eligibility, application steps, and how to access the support they’ve earned.
