Tens of thousands of spouses of totally disabled veterans in Texas will qualify for the property tax benefit starting today, January first.
Texas law already exempts the veterans from paying property taxes at all because they are declared 100% disabled, from combat or service related injury. "Well i think its very good for the spouses that they are still getting the benefits for their veterans that served their country," said retired veteran, Gene Apple.

The law comes as a relief to many because some veterans have owned their homes for years, and got by on fixed incomes. When they die, the spouses are hit with huge bills,according to the Austin chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Veterans group.

" I think it's great because we deserve, it too. it's not like you know i mean yes he did al the work but we did work at home too," said Petra. She is married to Douglas Pattillo, a retired veteran who is 90% disabled. They receive a reduced property tax bill. " You know, we do go to war and we fight..we worry about our families back home that are carrying the burden of taking care of our families. The benefits we receive as disabled veterans that once we you know pass away and decease that they should be able to carry those on,” said Douglas Pattillo.

Texas has about three hundred thousand disabled veterans and almost twenty five thousand of them are designated as one hundred percent disabled from combat or service related injuries, according to the Texas Veterans Commission.
 

If you would like to view a list of new laws effective today please click here.