VetTOC · Veteran benefits reference

Eddy County, New Mexico

County · Printed 2026-11-05 · Intel current as of 2026-11-03 · localhost:3000/geos/county-nm-eddy

Free help with a VA claim

Find a VA-accredited representative: www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep

Eddy County benefits

Eddy County Assessor: the Veteran Exemption and its 2025 Increase

The Eddy County Assessor (Rhonda Hatch) takes the veteran property tax exemption - its own flyer records HB 47's increase from $4,000 to $10,000 for tax year 2025, applied on the…

eddycountynm.gov/184/County-Assessor

Eddy County Clerk: the Free Military Discharge Recording

The Eddy County Clerk (Cara Cooke, Eddy County Administration Complex, 325 S. Main Street, Carlsbad, 575-885-3383; Artesia Sub Office, 602 S.

eddycountynm.gov/185/County-Clerk

New Mexico benefits that apply here

New Mexico Armed Forces Retirement Pay Income Tax Exemption

Up to $30,000 a year of military retired pay, including disability retirement, is exempt from New Mexico income tax, and a surviving spouse can take the same $30,000 against a…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4340/index.do

New Mexico Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption, Proportional to the Rating

From tax year 2026 the share of your home's taxable value exempt from property tax equals your VA disability percentage, after the $10,000 veteran exemption comes off: 30 percent…

Gate: Any service-connected rating of 10 percent or more, exempting that percentage

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4340/index.do

New Mexico Exemption From Special Benefit Assessments for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans

A home owned and lived in by a veteran rated 100 percent permanent and total is exempt from special benefit assessments, the levies of conservancy districts, public improvement…

Gate: 100 percent rating; Permanent and total; Or total through individual unemployability, which the statute neither names nor excludes; Permanent on the unemployability route too

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4340/index.do

New Mexico Expedited Licensing for Service Members, Spouses and Veterans

A licensing board must issue a license within thirty days to a service member, military spouse or dependent child, or veteran who holds a current license from another state or…

www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/23%20Regular/final/HB0384.PDF

New Mexico Free Tuition for Children and Spouses of the Fallen

Free tuition and up to $300 a year at a state institution for a child aged 16 to 26 of a New Mexico service member killed or who died as a result of service in armed conflict, or…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4365/index.do

New Mexico High School Diplomas for World War II, Korea and Vietnam Veterans

A local school board may give a high school diploma, even after death, to an honourably discharged veteran who left a New Mexico high school to serve in World War II, Korea or…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4368/index.do

New Mexico Hunting and Fishing Licences for Veterans and Service Members

A free lifetime hunting and fishing licence for a resident veteran rated 100 percent, a $10 combination licence for any other resident disabled veteran, and half price on every…

Gate: Free lifetime licence at 100 percent

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4341/index.do

New Mexico Income Tax Exemptions for Active Duty Pay and Guard Life Insurance

Active duty military pay is wholly exempt from New Mexico income tax, a Guard member's reimbursement for SGLI premiums is exempt, and a deployed member gets a year after…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4340/index.do

New Mexico Legal Protections for Veterans and Military Families

Reemployment rights after service, custody protections for deploying parents, confidential and free recording of discharge papers, a crime of lying about service for gain, and…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4365/index.do

New Mexico National Guard $500,000 Death Benefit

Half a million dollars to the beneficiaries a Guard member or state defense force member named, if the member is killed on state active duty, on top of any other death benefit.

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4356/index.do

New Mexico National Guard Benefits

Resident tuition for Guard members and their families, a Guard scholarship programme, state hiring preference while serving, fifteen days of paid military leave for public…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4356/index.do

New Mexico Protection Against Discrimination for Veterans and Military Families

Since May 2024 military status is a protected class under the New Mexico Human Rights Act, in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations.

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4365/index.do

New Mexico Reduced Vehicle Registration and Excise Tax Exemption

A veteran who cannot use the whole veteran property tax exemption can take it instead as registration fees at two-thirds of the normal rate, and a resident veteran who lost, or…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4340/index.do

New Mexico Resident Tuition for Veterans, Guard Members and Military Families

A veteran eligible for federal education benefits pays resident tuition at every public college, as do the spouse and children of a veteran who are eligible for GI Bill benefits,…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4361/index.do

New Mexico Resident Veteran Business and Contractor Preference

A certified resident veteran business or contractor with up to $6 million in annual revenue is treated as bidding ten percent lower, or gets ten percent of the evaluation points,…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4378/index.do

New Mexico State Employment Veterans Preference

Five points for an honourably discharged veteran and for a serving Guard member, ten for a veteran with a service-connected disability of any percentage, added to the passing…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4364/index.do

New Mexico State Museums and Historic Sites for Veterans

Free general admission to state museums and historic sites all year for a resident veteran rated 50 percent or more, and free admission for any resident who has served, and their…

Gate: Free all year at 50 percent

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4365/index.do

New Mexico State Parks Lifetime Veteran Pass

Since July 1, 2025 every resident veteran, not only the 50 percent disabled, can get a free lifetime hang-tag pass for unlimited day use and camping, including utility hookups,…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4390/index.do

New Mexico State Veterans Cemeteries and the Angel Fire Memorial

Four state veterans cemeteries, at Fort Stanton, Gallup, Angel Fire and Taos, with a fifth planned in Carlsbad, for veterans and their families, alongside the national cemeteries…

www.dvs.nm.gov/cemetery

New Mexico State Veterans' Home in Truth or Consequences

A state nursing home for veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents in Truth or Consequences, with six new small houses and an annex for about 131 residents.

Gate: VA pays the full cost at 70 percent or more

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4380/index.do

New Mexico Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Ten thousand dollars off the taxable value of property owned by a resident veteran with 90 days of active duty and an honourable discharge, or by the veteran's unmarried…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4340/index.do

New Mexico Vietnam Veterans and Wartime Veterans Scholarships

Tuition, required fees and a book allowance at a state college, for undergraduate or graduate study, for a resident veteran who entered service from New Mexico or has lived here…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4361/index.do

Who Counts as a Veteran in New Mexico

New Mexico has no single definition. The Veterans' Services Department Act counts active duty, six continuous years in the Guard or reserves, or commissioned service in the…

nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4357/index.do

Federal benefits

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Pension

A higher VA pension for a veteran or survivor who needs another person’s help with daily living or is confined to the home.

  • MAPR, veteran alone with Aid and Attendance, effective December 1, 2025: $29,093 a year (read 2026-10-08)
  • MAPR, veteran alone, Housebound, effective December 1, 2025: $21,313 a year (read 2026-10-08)
  • Pension net worth limit, December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026: $163,699 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound

Burial in a VA National Cemetery

A free gravesite, opening and closing, vault liner, headstone and perpetual care in a VA national cemetery for an eligible veteran, and for an eligible spouse or dependent child.

www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

A tax-free monthly payment to a military retiree, at any rating from 10%, that replaces retired pay lost to the VA offset for disabilities the service branch decides are…

Gate: Rated 10% or more

www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/10/1413a?link-type=html

Commissary, Exchange and MWR Access for Disabled Veterans

Shopping at military commissaries and exchanges, and MWR retail, for every veteran with a VA service-connected rating, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs and primary family…

Gate: Any service-connected rating

news.va.gov/109934/defense-commissary-privileges

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)

Lets a military retiree rated 50% or more receive retired pay and VA disability compensation at the same time, instead of having retired pay cut dollar for dollar.

Gate: Rated 50% or more

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/part-3/section-3.750

DD-214 and Military Service Records (NPRC)

A free copy of a DD-214 and other service records from the National Archives’ National Personnel Records Center, requested online or on Standard Form 180.

www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records

Discharge Upgrade and Records Correction

Asks the service branch’s Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction to upgrade a discharge, with liberal consideration for PTSD, TBI, sexual assault or harassment, and the…

www.va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions

Federal Hiring Authorities for Veterans (VEOA, VRA, 30% Disabled)

Three ways a federal agency can hire a veteran outside or ahead of normal competition: VEOA for merit promotion jobs, VRA up to GS-11, and noncompetitive appointment for a…

Gate: 30% for the disabled veteran authority

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/part-315/section-315.707

Federal Tax Exclusion for VA Benefits

VA disability compensation, pension, DIC, education and grant payments are not federal taxable income, and retired pay replaced by a retroactive VA rating can be refunded.

www.irs.gov/publications/p525

Grant and Per Diem Transitional Housing

Transitional housing with services, for up to about two years, from community agencies VA funds, for a homeless veteran.

www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

HUD-VASH Supportive Housing Vouchers

A HUD Housing Choice rental voucher paired with VA case management for a homeless veteran, with housing first and no sobriety or treatment precondition.

www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp

Individual Unemployability (TDIU)

Compensation at the 100% rate, $3,938.58 a month for a veteran alone, for a veteran whose service-connected disabilities keep them from holding a steady job, without changing the…

Gate: Schedular rating gate; Unable to keep substantially gainful work

  • Rate paid, veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025: $3,938.58 a month (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability

Jobs for Veterans State Grants (American Job Centers)

Free job search help from veterans’ employment specialists at American Job Centers, with priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses in every Labor Department-funded…

www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/grants/state/jvsg

Military Funeral Honors

An honor guard of at least two uniformed members, one from the veteran’s branch, who fold and present the flag and play Taps, at the family’s request and at no cost.

www.cem.va.gov/military_funeral_honors.asp

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30)

Up to 36 months of education payments, $2,601 a month for full-time school from October 1, 2026, for a veteran who paid $1,200 into the program during active duty.

  • Full-time monthly rate, effective October 1, 2026: $2,601.00 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-active-duty

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)

Up to 36 months of education payments, $508 a month full time from October 1, 2026, for a Guard or Reserve member with a six-year Selected Reserve obligation.

  • Full-time monthly rate, effective October 1, 2026: $508.00 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/montgomery-selected-reserve

PACT Act Toxic Exposure Care and Benefits

Expanded VA health care and presumptive disability compensation for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation and other toxins, with health care enrollment open to…

www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Education assistance tied to qualifying active duty after September 10, 2001. Often called the GI Bill or Chapter 33.

  • Private and foreign school tuition cap, August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027: $30,908.34 a year (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Low-cost term life insurance of up to $500,000 for service members, at 5 cents per $1,000 a month plus $1 for traumatic injury coverage.

  • Maximum coverage and premium: $500,000; 5 cents per $1,000 a month, plus $1 TSGLI (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli

Social Security Disability for Wounded Warriors and 100% P&T Veterans

Expedited Social Security disability claims for a service member disabled on active duty on or after October 1, 2001, and for a veteran rated 100% permanent and total by VA.

Gate: 100% P&T, or disabled on active duty

www.ssa.gov/people/veterans

Social Security Military Wage Credits

Extra earnings credited to a Social Security record for active duty from 1957 through 2001: $300 a quarter from 1957 to 1977, and $100 for each $300 of pay from 1978 to 2001, up…

  • Military wage credit, 1978 to 2001: $100 per $300 of pay, up to $1,200 a year (read 2026-10-08)

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/part-404/section-404.1341

Space-Available (Space-A) Military Flights

Free seats left over on military aircraft for service members, retirees, Guard and Reserve members, their dependents, some surviving spouses, and veterans with a permanent…

Gate: Permanent total rating for veterans

www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Space-Available-Travel-Page

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

A higher or added monthly rate for a service-connected loss of a limb, an organ or its use, blindness, being housebound, or needing another person’s daily help.

Gate: A specific service-connected loss

  • SMC-K, added monthly amount, effective December 1, 2025: $139.87 (read 2026-10-08)
  • SMC-S, veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025: $4,408.53 (read 2026-10-08)
  • SMC-R.2/T, veteran alone, effective December 1, 2025: $11,271.67 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/special-monthly-compensation-rates

Specially Adapted Housing Grants (SAH, SHA, TRA)

Grants to build, buy or adapt a barrier-free home for a veteran with certain severe service-connected disabilities: up to $126,526 (SAH) or $25,350 (SHA) in fiscal year 2026,…

Gate: Qualifying severe disability

  • SAH maximum, fiscal year 2026: $126,526 (read 2026-10-08)
  • SHA maximum, fiscal year 2026: $25,350 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

Grant-funded help, including temporary rent, deposits, utilities and case management, to keep a very low-income veteran family housed or rehouse it quickly.

www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.html

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

A monthly annuity to a military retiree’s surviving spouse or child, generally 55% of the chosen base amount of retired pay, and automatic coverage for the survivors of a member…

  • Standard annuity for a spouse: 55% of the base amount (read 2026-10-08)

www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/10/1451?link-type=html

Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI)

A one-time payment of $25,000 to $100,000 to a service member with SGLI who suffers a scheduled traumatic loss, such as amputation, paralysis, blindness or an inability to…

  • TSGLI payment range: $25,000 to $100,000 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/tsgli

VA Beneficiary Travel Pay

Mileage at 41.5 cents a mile, less a $3 one-way deductible capped at $18 a month, for travel to VA or VA-approved care by a veteran rated 30% or more, traveling for a…

Gate: Rated 30% or more, or another path

  • Mileage rate: 41.5 cents a mile (read 2026-10-08)
  • Deductible: $3 one way, $6 round trip, $18 a month cap (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/resources/reimbursed-va-travel-expenses-and-mileage-rate

VA Burial and Plot Allowance

Money toward a veteran’s funeral and burial: up to $2,000 for a service-connected death after September 10, 2001, and $1,032 each for burial and plot for a non-service-connected…

  • Service-connected burial allowance, death after September 10, 2001: up to $2,000 (read 2026-10-08)
  • Non-service-connected burial and plot allowances, death on or after October 1, 2026: $1,032 each (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance

VA Clothing Allowance

A yearly payment of $1,053.19 for each qualifying item when a service-connected prosthetic or orthopedic device, or a prescribed skin medication, wears out or stains clothing.

Gate: Service-connected disability

  • Clothing allowance, effective December 1, 2025: $1,053.19 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/clothing-allowance

VA Dental Care

Free comprehensive dental care for a veteran rated 100% or paid at the 100% rate for unemployability, or who is a former prisoner of war, with narrower classes for other veterans.

Gate: 100% for full dental (Class IV); Paid at 100% for unemployability

www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care

VA Disability Compensation

Monthly tax-free pay for an illness or injury VA decides is connected to military service.

Gate: Combined rating

www.va.gov/disability

VA Health Care Enrollment

Enrollment in the VA health care system. A disability rating can change priority and copays. It is not the only way in.

www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility

VA Hearing Aids and Eyeglasses

Hearing aids, eyeglasses and contact lenses for an enrolled veteran with a compensable service-connected disability, a Purple Heart, former POW status, and other listed situations.

Gate: Compensable rating, or another listed path

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/part-17/section-17.149

VA Home Loan Funding Fee Exemption

No VA funding fee, which is otherwise 1.25% to 3.3% of a purchase loan, for a veteran receiving or entitled to VA compensation, a surviving spouse on DIC, a Purple Heart…

Gate: Receiving or entitled to compensation

  • Purchase funding fee, under 5% down, first use and after: 2.15% and 3.3% (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs

VA Pension

Needs-based monthly payment for a wartime veteran with limited income who is 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled.

  • MAPR, veteran with no dependents, effective December 1, 2025: $17,441 a year (read 2026-10-08)
  • Net worth limit, December 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026: $163,699 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/pension/eligibility

VA Prosthetics and Sensory Aids

Artificial limbs, wheelchairs, home oxygen, orthotics, mobility aids and home medical equipment for an enrolled veteran who needs them, prescribed by a VA clinician.

www.prosthetics.va.gov

VA-Accredited Representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, Claims Agents)

Free help with a VA claim from a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization representative, or paid help from an accredited attorney or claims agent after an initial decision.

www.va.gov/resources/va-accredited-representative-faqs

Veteran ID Card and Veteran Health Identification Card

A free digital Veteran ID Card for proof of service at businesses, for a veteran with an honorable or general discharge, and a VA health ID card for enrolled veterans.

www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic

Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)

Guaranteed-acceptance whole life insurance of up to $40,000 for a veteran 80 or younger with any service-connected rating, including 0%, with no health questions.

Gate: Any service-connected rating

  • Maximum coverage: $40,000 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/valife

Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

Mortgage life insurance of up to $200,000, paid to the lender, for a veteran under 70 who has received a Specially Adapted Housing grant.

  • Maximum coverage: $200,000 (read 2026-10-08)

www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/vmli