State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in New Mexico

New Mexico offers property tax exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses, including a disability-based exemption, and a partial military retirement income exemption. Education programs, a state veterans home, recreational benefits and state hiring preferences provide other support.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services

Helps veterans and eligible family members understand and obtain federal and state benefits.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 1-866-433-8387

Free help with VA claims

State Veterans Services Officers help veterans and eligible dependents file VA claims and obtain benefits. Accredited VSO representation on VA claims is free. Find an office in the state directory.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

Standard veteran property tax exemption

Who qualifies
New Mexico resident veterans or their unmarried surviving spouses who own the property, including qualifying grantor-trust property. Veterans generally need 90 continuous active-duty days; service-connected disablement causing earlier discharge is an exception. A dishonorable discharge or discharge for misconduct does not qualify.
What you get
Deducts $10,000 of taxable property value for tax year 2025, with statutory inflation adjustment beginning in 2026.
How to apply
Obtain the state eligibility certificate using the linked DVS form, then file proof with the county assessor within 30 days after the notice of valuation is mailed.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NMSA 7-37-5 and 7-38-17

Sources (3)

Disabled veteran property tax exemption

Who qualifies
Disabled veterans who own and continuously occupy their principal residence and have a permanent service-connected disability under federal law. Discharge must be other than dishonorable or bad conduct; federally recognized civilian service with a military discharge certificate also qualifies. A surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran at death and continuously occupy the home afterward.
What you get
Exempts the disability percentage of taxable value remaining after the standard veteran exemption. When multiple disabled-veteran owners qualify, the highest disability percentage applies.
How to apply
File with the county assessor within 30 days of the valuation notice. Submit the required ownership and continuous-residence certification plus the DVS eligibility certificate. Check the statute for protest procedures when a VA disability claim is pending.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NMSA 7-37-5.1 and 7-38-17; 2026 HB 285

Sources (1)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Partly exempt

Armed forces retirement pay exemption

Who qualifies
Military retirees who qualified by years of service or disability to separate with lifetime benefits, or their surviving spouses.
What you get
Exempts up to $30,000 of armed forces retirement pay otherwise included in net income for 2026.
How to apply
File New Mexico Form PIT-1 and follow the current return instructions for the exemption.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NMSA 7-2-5.13

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Wartime Veterans Scholarship

Who qualifies
Current New Mexico residents who are honorably discharged veterans, were state residents at entry to service or have lived in the state at least 10 years, and have a qualifying campaign or service medal. DVS must certify eligibility for a New Mexico public postsecondary institution. Satisfactory academic progress is required.
What you get
Covers tuition, required student fees and books for undergraduate, master's or doctoral study. Tuition is capped at the highest full-time undergraduate tuition at an eligible institution. Awards depend on available funding.
How to apply
Submit the scholarship application and a certified DD214 showing honorable discharge and the qualifying medal to DVS. Applications are approved first come, first served.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 5.7.17 NMAC

Sources (2)

Resident tuition for eligible veteran spouses and children

Who qualifies
Spouses or children of Armed Forces veterans who qualify for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits or another federal law providing educational benefits to veterans and their dependents.
What you get
Tuition and fees at New Mexico resident rates. This waiver alone does not establish eligibility for other state-funded financial aid.
How to apply
Ask the school's residency classification officer to determine eligibility.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 5.7.18.10(B)(2) and 5.7.18.12 NMAC

Sources (1)

New Mexico National Guard Tuition Scholarship

Who qualifies
New Mexico National Guard students who meet the Department of Military Affairs' eligibility and award criteria.
What you get
State education support of up to 100% of tuition and fees at associate and bachelor levels, paid to the school after successful course completion.
How to apply
Ask the college's designated Guard scholarship coordinator about the application and current Guard requirements.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NMSA 21-1-2.1

Sources (2)

State jobs and hiring preference

State employment veterans preference

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans and applicants currently serving in the National Guard who achieve passing application scores.
What you get
Adds 5 points for veterans or current Guard members, or 10 points for honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability.
How to apply
Submit documentation of eligibility with the job application and follow the current SPO checklist.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NMSA 10-9-13.2 and 20-4-9; 1.7.5.11(D) NMAC

Sources (2)

Licenses, plates and parks

Lifetime veteran state parks pass

Who qualifies
New Mexico residents with qualifying active Armed Forces service, at least six continuous years in a listed Guard or Reserve component, or qualifying active-duty commissioned service in the Public Health Service or NOAA. Separation must not amount to dishonorable discharge.
What you get
Free unlimited state-park day-use and camping access. Reservation-system service fees are still charged.
How to apply
Send the linked application to DVS by mail or apply in person.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NMSA 16-2-7.1; 2025 HB 161

Sources (3)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.