New Mexico Veteran Benefits

New Mexico offers a partial tax exemption of military retired pay up to $30,000.

Nonresident military spouses do not have to pay income tax for wages earned while they are stationed in New Mexico. Who is eligible for a New Mexico Tax Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses? To be eligible nonresident military spouses must meet the following requirements:

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

New Mexico offers a partial tax exemption of military survivor annuities up to $30,000.

Veterans may qualify for a $10,000 reduction in the taxable value of their real property for county tax purposes. Each year the amount of the exemption will be adjusted for inflation.

Resident disabled Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA, are eligible for a for a property tax exemption from the taxable value of their property.

Certain disabled Veterans are eligible for an exemption from registration fees and excise taxes for one vehicle. Who is eligible for the New Mexico Disabled Veterans Exemption from Vehicle Registration Fees? Honorably discharged resident Veterans who have lost or lost the use of one or both arms (at

The Vietnam Veterans' Scholarship is offered to eligible New Mexico resident Veterans who served in Vietnam. Resident students accepted into undergraduate, master's, or doctoral programs at state-funded schools are eligible for a scholarship that covers tuition, fees, and books.

The New Mexico Wartime Veterans' Scholarship is offered to eligible New Mexico resident Veterans who served during wartime. Resident students accepted into undergraduate, master's, or doctoral programs at state-funded schools are eligible for a scholarship that covers tuition, fees, and books.

Veterans, their spouse and children, who use VA education benefits are authorized "in-state" tuition rates at any state funded college, university, vocational school or vocational training program. New Mexico Public Higher Education Institutions Directory

Nonresident active duty service members and their dependents who are permanently stationed in New Mexico are eligible for in-state tuition rates at a New Mexico state-funded higher education institution.

The dependents of active duty or National Guard service members serving on federal active duty are authorized in-state tuition rates New Mexico state-funded higher education institution even though their sponsor is not stationed in New Mexico.

All National Guard service members, their spouse and children are authorized in-state tuition rates at state funded colleges, universities, vocational schools, or vocational training programs. New Mexico Public Higher Education Institutions Directory

New Mexico offers a scholarship at a New Mexico state-funded higher education institution that applies to matricular fees, room and board, and books and supplies for the children of service members who were killed during a period of armed conflict.

New Mexico resident service members who enter the U.S. Armed Forces after graduating from a New Mexico high school may establish eligibility for the New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship after their discharge or retirement.

Veterans who left a New Mexico high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korean Conflict or Vietnam Conflict may be awarded a high school diploma issued from the high school they were attending.

The children of service members who are assigned to a military installation in New Mexico are given priority enrollment status when registering in a New Mexico school system.

UI provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement for lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income. Benefits are not based on financial need.

Any business in New Mexico can qualify for up to a $1,000 business tax credit for each hire of a recently-returned Veteran. Please contact the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department for more information by calling 505-827-0700.

New Mexico offers a free lifetime fishing, small game hunting, and deer hunting card to eligible disabled Veterans.

New Mexico resident disabled Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA of less than 100% are eligible for a $10 game hunting and fishing license.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) offers a 50% discount on all licenses, permits and stamps for New Mexico resident service members who are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and Veterans who received an honorable discharge.

Resident Purple Heart recipients and active duty service members permanently stationed in New Mexico are eligible to apply for special drawings for pronghorn antelope hunts on Melrose Air Force Range near Cannon Air Force Base. For eligibility and application information, please call 888-248-6866.

Nonresident active duty service members or Veterans who are undergoing a rehabilitation program that involves hunting are eligible for resident prices on deer, elk, antelope, javelina, oryx and turkey licenses.

New Mexico offers a lifetime pass which authorizes unlimited day-use and camping at all New Mexico State Parks. The pass is a hang-tag that when displayed on the rearview mirror of a vehicle allows the Veteran free access to New Mexico state parks.

Every Veterans Day New Mexico resident active duty service members, honorably discharged Veterans and their families are authorized the following benefits:

All state, county, municipal,school district and other public employees who are service members serving in the National Guard or the U.S Armed Forces Reserves are authorized 15 days of paid military leave, per federal fiscal year when ordered to duty for training.

New Mexico offers a hiring preference to National Guard service members, Veterans, and disabled Veterans when they apply for public employment.

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions offers job and training services to Veterans on a priority basis. Veterans have priority over non-Veterans regarding job placement, counseling, testing, referral to supportive services, job development, and job training.

Operation Soundstage is a partnership between the New Mexico Film Office, Department of Veterans' Services, and Department of Workforce Solutions with the goal of increasing the hiring and training of Veterans for jobs with movie studios and television production companies in New Mexico.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The New Mexico Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodations for required employment related travel.

New Mexico Veteran-owned businesses can request a Resident Veteran Business or Contractor bidding preference when participating in a formal bid process or formal request for proposal process for the sale of goods or services to a New Mexico State or local public body.

New Mexico State has set aside an additional 5% hiring preference for Veteran-owned businesses or contractors over the existing 5% preference currently established for locally-owned businesses during the bidding process for state contracts and jobs.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

Through contracts with the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center in Albuquerque and the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope in Las Cruces, the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) provides transition services for homeless and at risk New Mexico Veterans.

The New Mexico State Veterans home, provides integrated nursing services in an atmosphere that promotes the physical, social, and emotional well-being of every resident.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains two national cemeteries in New Mexico. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Veterans can add a "Veteran" designation on their New Mexico driver's license or ID card. This designation is at no additional cost for a first-time request or at renewal.

The New Mexico Gold Star Family license plate is available to the immediate family Members of a service member who was killed in armed conflict while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Who is eligible for the New Mexico Gold Star Family License Plate? Eligible family members includes:

The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) coordinates with military and local Veteran organizations to provide an honor guard and bugler for funerals of deceased service members and honorably discharged Veterans at no cost to the family.

Disabled Veterans in northern and central New Mexico can arrange for free transportation to and from their home and the Raymond G. Murphy, VA Medical Center, or the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Albuquerque by calling the Disabled American Veterans organization at 505-256-2821.

The New Mexico Women Veterans Program advocates forwomen Veterans throughout New Mexico. They work to ensure women Veterans, and their eligible dependents are aware of available state and federal benefits and that they have equitable access to Veteran programs and services.

Military discharge papers filed by Veterans with New Mexico County Clerks are not considered public record and can only be released to the Veteran, their next of kin or someone who has a general power of attorney from the Veteran. New Mexico County Clerk Directory

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in New Mexico enter New Mexico in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.