New Mexico State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

100% State Benefits – New Mexico

Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/new-mexico-state-veterans-benefits.html

Visit the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services for more detailed information: http://www.nmdvs.org/

Veterans Homes

For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm

Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.

Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.

Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.

Veterans Homes Locations:

State Veterans’ Cemeteries

For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/state.asp?STATE=NM

National Veterans Cemeteries:

Fort Bayard National Cemetery 200 Camino De Paz Fort Bayard, NM 88036 Burial Space: Open	Phone: 505-988-6400 Fax: 505-988-6497
Santa Fe National Cemetery 501 North Guadalupe Street Santa Fe, NM 87501 Burial Space: Open	Phone: 505-988-6400 Fax: 505-988-6497

State Veterans Cemeteries:

New Mexico Department of Veterans Services 407 Galisteo St., Rm 13 Santa Fe, NM 87501 VA Grant Funded: N/A	Phone: 505-827-6304
Angel Fire State Veteran Cemetery 31 Onate Rd. Angel Fire, NM 87710 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 505-225-4341
Ft. Stanton State Veterans Cemetery 1398 State Highway 220 Ft. Stanton, NM 88323 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 505-383-4832
Gallup State Veteran Cemetery 333 National Cemetery Drive Gallup, NM 87305 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 505-383-4381

Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states.

New Mexico Veteran Financial Benefits

Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption

Any veteran who is rated 100% service-connected disabled by the VA can get a total waiver on their home’s property tax. Certain discharges may disqualify the veteran for this program.

Link to Property Tax Exemption Form: http://www.nmdvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DVS_Form_1_TE_App-1-2.pdf

Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions.

Annual refiling is required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Standard Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Any veteran, or their surviving spouse may be eligible for a deduction of up to $4,000 of the taxable value of property for property tax purposes.

Link to Property Tax Exemption Form: http://www.nmdvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DVS_Form_1_TE_App-1-2.pdf

Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions.

Annual refiling is required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Reduced Registration Fees

Every person who is entitled to a veteran exemption and who does not have sufficient real or personal property to claim the full property tax exemption may be eligible to pay motor vehicle registration fees at two-thirds the rates charged on vehicles the veteran owns.

Link to Property Tax Exemption Form: http://www.nmdvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/DVS_Form_1_TE_App-1-2.pdf

Exemption from Excise Taxes on Vehicle Purchases

Any veteran who suffered the loss, or complete loss of use of one or more limbs due to their service in the military is exempt from new vehicle excise taxes.

Link to Tax Exemption Form: http://nmdvs.sks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DVS_Form_1_TE_App-1-2.pdf

NOTE: This is the same form used for the Property Tax exemption

Veterans’ License Plates

Several Special- Recognition Plates are available to military veterans. Proof of achievement must be provided. Fees vary depending on the type of Special license you are applying for.

Necessary Documents: DD-214, Honorable Discharge certificate, and documentations supporting your request.

Work with local VSO to obtain needed documents and complete the application.

Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Ex-Prisoner of War and Disabled Veteran special plated are issued to qualifying applicants without the payment of any special plate fee or statutory registration fees.

Applicants that qualify for more that one category of these free Military Service special plates are entitled to only one category. But you may apply for two plates of the same categories for two vehicles you own.

To receive the Disabled Veteran plate with the wheelchair symbol must provide proof that they meet the requirements of Section 66-3-16 NMSA 1978 for issuance of special plates to individuals with significant mobility limitations.

Link to Application Form: http://nmdvs.sks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DV-Plates-2015-1.pdf

Employment Benefits

New Mexico Veterans Preference for State Employment

Visit the following link for more details: https://www.spo.state.nm.us/career-services/veterans-and-national-guard-preference-eligibility-and-documentation-requirements/

All honorably discharged veterans or anyone currently serving in the National Guard gets five points added to their final passing score on hiring exams for state employment. Honorably discharged veterans honorably discharged with a service-connected disability get ten points.

Business Tax Credit for Hiring Recently Returned Veterans

Any business in the state of 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 additional information at (505) 827-0700 or http://www.tax.newmexico.gov

Additional 5% Procurement Advantage for Veteran-Owned Businesses or Contractors

The state of New Mexico shall 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.

New Mexico Veteran Education Benefits

New Mexico offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.

State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits (DEA)

Visit the following link for a full list: https://www.nmdvs.org/state-veteran-benefits/

In-State Tuition

Veterans, their spouses, and their children no longer have to wait to establish “in-state” residency status when applying for college. Those who wish to use their G.I. Education Benefit Bill can now immediately take advantage of less-expensive “resident” in-state tuition rates at any state funded college, university, vocational school or vocational training program.

Children of Deceased Veterans

Children between the ages of 16-26 whose veteran parent was killed in action or died as a result of their wounds incurred in battle, qualify for a full tuition waiver at any state funded post-secondary school. A $150 stipend, per semester, will be issued to help with books or fees.

Eligible children may be admitted to state educational institutions free of tuition. Not more than $300 shall be paid, in addition to the free tuition, for any child for one year.

Link to application: https://www.nmdvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ChildScholarshipApp-1.pdf

Vietnam Veteran Scholarship

A state scholarship for resident undergraduate and graduate students that provides tuition, fees, and book allowances to Vietnam Veterans certified by the New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission

Eligibility:

Student must be a resident of New Mexico
Vietnam Veteran as reviewed and certified by the NM Veterans Service Commission
Honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, who was a resident of New Mexico at original time of entry into the armed forces or who has lived in New Mexico for 10 years or more
Been awarded the Vietnam campaign medal for services in the armed forces of this country in Vietnam during the period of August 5, 1964 to the official termination of the Vietnam conflict as designated by executive order of the President of the United States, is eligible for certification

When To Apply: Contact institution for eligibility period.

Where To Apply: Student shall apply at the eligible institution he/she will be attending.

How To Apply: Student will contact their institution’s financial aid office for application instruction.

Award: Tuition, required fees, and required books

Duration: Each scholarship is for a period of one academic year. Renewable if student maintains satisfactory progress.

Contact the institution’s financial aid office for application instruction.

Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund

A state scholarship for resident undergraduate and graduate students that provides tuition, fees, and book allowances to Military War Veterans certified by the New Mexico Veterans’ Service Commission

Eligibility:

Student must be a resident of New Mexico;
A military war veteran must submit a scholarship application to the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS);
Applicants must provide a certified copy of their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, showing a combat campaign or service medal and an honorable discharge;
Applications will be approved on a first come, first served basis;
Scholarship applies to tuition costs, required student fees and books directly associated with undergraduate, master’s or doctoral degree work;
The amount of tuition to be covered by the scholarship shall not exceed the highest full time undergraduate tuition charged at an educational institution.

When To Apply: Contact institution for eligibility period.

Where To Apply: Student shall apply at the eligible institution he/she will be attending.

How To Apply: Student will contact their institution’s financial aid office for application instruction.

Award: Tuition, required fees, and required books

Duration: Each scholarship is for a period of one academic year. Renewable if student maintains satisfactory progress.

New Mexico Veteran Recreation Benefits

Veterans’ Day Recreation and Museum Privileges

Every Veterans Day, any honorably discharged New Mexico resident veteran or active duty member—along with their spouse and children–gets into any state park for free. Admission fees are also waived for campsites, the Museum of New Mexico, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, and the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

State Park & Museum Admission for Disabled Veterans

Any veteran rated 50% or higher service-connected disabled can get an annual free day-use pass and three free nights of camping for personal use only. They can also get a free state monument and museum pass for personal use only.

Link to Application: https://www.nmdvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DVS-form15-1.pdf

Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

Any veteran rated 100% service-connected disabled is eligible for a free lifetime New Mexico small-game hunting & fishing license.

Link to Application: https://www.nmdvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Disabled-Veteran-Card-Application-1.pdf