New Mexico Benefits Guide for Disabled Veterans 

Veterans who qualify for a veteran exemption but cannot claim the full property tax exemption may be eligible to pay motor vehicle registration fees at two-thirds of the standard rates on vehicles the veteran owns. 

Because registration benefits can be sensitive to how the veteran qualifies (and what exemption they’re using), it’s best to bring a DD214 (or equivalent) and documentation of the exemption eligibility when working with a VSO. 

Free Disabled Veteran License Plates

Veterans with a service connected disability rating of 50% or higher are eligible for special disabled veteran license plates. These plates are issued free of charge for up to two vehicles, including motorcycles. Find out more. 

Vehicle Purchase Excise Tax Exemption for Limb Loss (or Loss of Use)

Per the same MVD fee and excise tax rules, New Mexico provides an exemption from the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax for certain New Mexico residents who served and suffered severe service-related loss-of-use injuries. This is not a general 100% benefit. It is reserved for specific, permanent impairments: the loss or complete and total loss of use of one or both legs at or above the ankle, or one or both arms at or above the wrist. 

Veterans should expect to document the qualifying condition when applying for the title exemption. The statute does not name a specific certifying party, so confirm the current documentation requirements with your local MVD field office or the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.

Free Rides to VA Medical Appointments

For disabled veterans who cannot drive themselves or who live far from a VA facility, NMDVS runs a free transportation program for non-emergency travel to VA-authorized medical appointments. The Highly Rural Veterans Transportation Program covers 15 counties along with all Native and Tribal lands, and a separate statewide program extends rides to 18 additional counties. Check whether your county is covered.

New Mexico supports veterans who want to further their education or find meaningful work after their service. This state relief can stack with federal GI Bill education benefits and VA disability compensation. In-state tuition rates apply immediately to veterans, their spouses and their dependents who are eligible for federal VA education benefits, with no waiting period to establish residency. 

The New Mexico Vietnam Veteran Scholarship

This scholarship is available to veterans who were awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal for service in Vietnam between August 5, 1964 and the official end of the conflict. Applicants must be current New Mexico residents and must either have been New Mexico residents when they originally entered the armed forces or have lived in New Mexico for ten years or more.

The New Mexico Vietnam Veteran Scholarship covers tuition, required fees and required books at any state-funded post-secondary institution. It’s a valuable education benefit for older veterans who may have used up their GI Bill benefits but still wish to pursue a degree or certificate. 

Wartime Veteran Scholarship Fund

This scholarship covers tuition and required fees for undergraduate through doctoral work, with reimbursement for books and supplies. It’s available to veterans who were residents of New Mexico at the original time of entry into the Armed Forces, or lived in New Mexico for ten years or more, and who were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal or other campaign medals issued for service after August 1, 1990 in periods of armed conflict. 

Find out more about the scholarships for New Mexico veterans→ 

Scholarship for Children of Deceased Veterans

New Mexico also funds the education of veterans’ children. Children aged 16 to 26 whose parent died in action or died as a result of military service may attend state-funded institutions tuition-free, with up to $300 per year toward other expenses. The same benefit covers children of New Mexico National Guard members killed on state active duty and children of New Mexico State Police killed on duty. Applications go through NMDVS. See the eligibility rules and application form.

Veteran Hiring Preference in New Mexico 

When applying for state government jobs, veterans receive a preference in the hiring process. Those who were honorably discharged receive 5 points added to the final passing score on the application, and current National Guard members get the same 5 points. Veterans with a service connected disability receive 10 points, with no minimum rating percentage required.

Veteran-Owned Business Preference (10%)

New Mexico also supports veteran entrepreneurs, though this is a contract bidding advantage rather than a hiring preference. A business certified by the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department as a resident veteran business or resident veteran contractor receives 10% of the evaluation weight when bidding on state or local government contracts.

That 10% replaces the 8% preference available to non-veteran resident businesses rather than stacking on top of it, and a public body cannot award both. Certification lasts three years and is available to veteran businesses with annual gross revenue up to $6 million. See the certification requirements.

Licensing Fee Waivers for Veterans and Their Families

Veterans returning to a licensed trade or profession get a real cost break. New Mexico waives initial and renewal licensing fees for service members and veterans for the first three years of licensure. The state also has to act on an application within 30 days for a veteran, spouse or dependent who already holds an equivalent license from another state or from a branch of the armed forces, which makes military training and credentials count toward a civilian license. See the Regulation and Licensing Department military resources.

Dedicated Employment Specialists for Disabled Veterans

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions staffs Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists whose job is to provide intensive one-on-one help, with priority given to veterans who have a service connected disability.

Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERs) work the employer side, running job search workshops and job fairs. Veterans also get priority over non-veterans for job placement, counseling, testing, referrals and job training through the state workforce system. Find a veteran representative near you.

Spending time outdoors is often therapeutic for veterans dealing with physical or mental health challenges. New Mexico offers several ways to enjoy the state’s natural beauty at a reduced cost. Some of these benefits are tied to a disability rating, including the hunting and fishing licenses and the special game draws below. Others, such as the state park pass, are open to every resident veteran.

Free New Mexico State Park Access with the Lifetime Veteran Pass

As of July 1, 2025, all New Mexico resident veterans can apply for a lifetime pass, regardless of disability rating, replacing the earlier passes that were limited to veterans rated 50% or higher. The pass provides free day-use and camping access at New Mexico State Parks, utility fees for the pass holder, entry at Living Desert Zoo and Garden State Park, and the parking fee at Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.  

This pass can be used to make campground reservations through the state park central reservation system. It does not cover reservation fees or fees for events, group shelter, group camping, corrals, cabins or yurts. Find out more. 

Nonresident Veteran License Fees

Veterans from out of state who are part of a government sponsored rehabilitation program can pay resident rates on deer, elk, javelina, oryx, pronghorn and turkey licenses. These are handled directly by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish rather than through the draw, so proof of eligibility goes to its Santa Fe office.

Free or Discounted Hunting and Fishing Licenses for New Mexico Disabled Veterans

New Mexico offers free lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a 100% service connected disability. It also covers the deer hunting license, though veterans still have to follow the standard process to get a deer tag through the draw or private land permission.  

For veterans with a lower disability rating, the state provides a reduced fee small game hunting and fishing license which costs only $10. This is a significant discount compared to standard resident rates. 

Veterans who do not have a service-connected disability rating are not left out either. New Mexico gives any honorably discharged resident veteran a 50% discount on all licenses, permits and stamps, with no disability rating required. The discount does not apply to application, vendor or duplicate fees, the federal duck stamp, or the disabled veteran licenses described above.

Keep in mind that veterans may still need to pay for a Habitat Stamp or other small fees depending on where they plan to hunt or fish. Find more details on these programs from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Disabled Veteran Game Hunts

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish runs special drawings reserved for disabled veterans. These hunts take place on military installations rather than general public land, and each one is arranged directly with the host installation. 

Veterans with a 50 percent or higher disability rating can enter a special drawing for oryx hunts at the White Sands Missile Range. A separate pronghorn draw at Melrose Air Force Base is open to severely disabled veterans and veteran Purple Heart recipients.

For veterans with physical limitations, the Mobility Impaired certification is a helpful tool. If you have a permanent impairment that limits your mobility to a walker, wheelchair or crutches, you can apply for this status. The certification is valid for 48 months. 

Once certified, you can use a crossbow during bow hunts and shoot from a stationary vehicle, as long as it is parked completely off the established road surface and there is no right-of-way fence.

You are also allowed one assistant to help track and finish a clearly wounded big game animal. That assistant needs written authorization from you and must use the same type of sporting arm you are using.

To qualify for Mobility Impaired certification, you must:

1. Have a permanent disability that limits your ability to walk
2. Use a walker, wheelchair, or crutches for mobility
3. Have a doctor sign your certification form to confirm your condition

New Mexico has a network of VA medical centers and clinics serving disabled veterans. The primary healthcare hub for veterans in New Mexico is the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque. This facility provides a full range of services, including emergency care, surgery, mental health treatment, and specialized clinics for spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injury. 

The VA New Mexico Healthcare System also operates outpatient clinics across the state, plus Vet Centers in Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces and Santa Fe for readjustment counseling. See hours and contact details for every location.

• Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center – 1501 San Pedro Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
• Santa Fe VA Clinic – 5152 Beckner Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
• Northwest Metro VA Clinic – 1760 Grande Boulevard SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
• Alamogordo VA Clinic – 3199 North White Sands Boulevard, Suite D10, Alamogordo, NM 88310
• Artesia VA Clinic – 2410 West Main Street, Artesia, NM 88210
• Espanola VA Clinic – 105 South Coronado Avenue, Espanola, NM 87532
• Farmington VA Clinic – 3605 English Road, Farmington, NM 87402
• Gallup VA Clinic – 2075 South NM Highway 602, Gallup, NM 87301
• Las Vegas VA Clinic – 624 University Avenue, Suite 300, Las Vegas, NM 87701
• Raton VA Clinic – 1493 Whittier Street, Raton, NM 87740
• Silver City VA Clinic – 2950 Leslie Road, Silver City, NM 88061
• Taos VA Clinic – 1353 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos, NM 87571
• Truth or Consequences VA Clinic – 1960 North Date Street, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

In addition to federal VA medical centers and clinics, New Mexico operates the New Mexico State Veterans Home for aging or chronically disabled veterans who require long-term nursing care. This facility, the state’s only veterans home, sits between Albuquerque and El Paso in Truth or Consequences and provides specialized attention including skilled nursing and memory care for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Admission is open to honorably discharged veterans with at least 90 days of service. Spouses and Gold Star Parents are also eligible for admission. New Mexico residents receive preference when there is a waiting list, but veterans from other states may still apply.

The cost of care is based on the resident’s ability to pay rather than a flat rate. You can apply by contacting the admissions coordinator at 992 South Broadway, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901, or by calling (575) 894-4200. Find out more.

New Mexico operates four state veterans cemeteries, with a fifth planned in Carlsbad, serving families who live far from national facilities. These cemeteries offer burial options including in ground casket burial and spaces for cremated remains. Find out more. 

• Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery – 31 Onate Dr, Angel Fire, NM 87710 | Phone (505) 225-4341
• Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery – 1398 Hwy 220, Fort Stanton, NM 88323 | Phone (505) 383-4381
• Gallup State Veterans Cemetery – 333 National Cemetery Dr, Gallup, NM 87305 | Phone (505) 905-9770
• Taos State Veterans Cemetery – 65 Arroyo Del Alamo Circle, Rancho De Taos, NM 87557 | Phone (505) 709-0083

Veterans and their spouses can pre-apply for burial eligibility at no cost. This process confirms your status in advance and helps remove the administrative burden from your family during a time of grief. To apply, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 and a marriage certificate if your spouse is to be buried with you.

Surviving spouses and dependents of New Mexico veterans are eligible for death and burial benefits, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and accrued benefits.

If a veteran was 100 percent service connected disabled at the time of their death, the surviving spouse may retain the total property tax waiver. To keep this benefit, the spouse must have been married to the veteran at the time of death, must remain unmarried, and must continue to occupy the home as their principal residence. Remarriage ends the exemption. Learn more about getting survivor benefits.

In addition to New Mexico’s specific benefits, disabled veterans also get a wide range of federal VA disability benefits, including: 

• Monthly tax-free compensation payments based on disability rating (calculate it here)
• Medical care, including mental health services and counseling
• Home loans and housing benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation and employment services
• Education benefits through the GI Bill
• Survivor benefits
• Federal hiring preference

Eligibility for some of these benefits depends on the disability rating percentage. Use the links below to see what federal benefits disabled veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. 

• 50% VA disability benefits
• 60% VA disability benefits
• 70% VA disability benefits
• 80% VA disability benefits
• 90% VA disability benefits

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

New Mexico veterans with a 100% disability rating receive the highest level of federal VA benefits, including:

• Full monthly VA compensation
• Full VA healthcare coverage
• Dental care
• Adaptive equipment grants

See all federal benefits for a 100% disabled New Mexico veteran → 

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

Spouses and family members of 100% disabled veterans may also be able to get several benefits:

• CHAMPVA healthcare  
• DIC eligibility  
• Education benefits  
• Continued property tax exemption  
• Access to New Mexico state resources 

Veterans who served at contaminated military bases or who were exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, or other environmental hazards may qualify for additional VA benefits. Bases in or near New Mexico with known toxic exposure issues include: 

• Cannon Air Force Base (Clovis, NM) 
• Holloman Air Force Base (Alamogordo, NM) 
• Kirtland Air Force Base (Albuquerque, NM), site of a long-running jet fuel leak at the Bulk Fuels Facility as well as PFAS contamination tracked by the New Mexico Environment Department
• Melrose Air Force Range (Melrose, NM)
• White Sands Missile Range (Dona Ana County, NM)

If you served at a base in a different state, you can find yours using the Military Base Toxic Exposure Map. 

Getting through the VA disability claims process can be tricky, but there are local and national resources to help guide you. These resources include local veteran groups, state-supported VA services, and experienced disability attorneys. 

How to Apply for VA Benefits in New Mexico – Free Guide

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to file for and win VA disability compensation and benefits, which you can receive by mail free of charge.

New Mexico State Assistance and Resources

• NMDVS field offices  
• NMDVS Veteran Benefits page
• New Mexico VA Health Care Network 

Help from Experienced Lawyers 

Our VA-accredited lawyers proudly represent New Mexico veterans who were denied or underrated by the VA, with no upfront costs. Contact us for a free evaluation – even if we don’t take your case, we’ll point you in the right direction!

• Albuquerque VA Disability Lawyers
• Rio Rancho VA Lawyers & Resources