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New Mexico is home to about 150,000 veterans, a third of whom live with disabilities and face unique challenges when it comes to healthcare, housing or financial stability. The state supports the veteran population with a wide range of benefits including specialized healthcare services, property tax exemptions, education assistance, employment opportunities, and more. 

The biggest money saver for many disabled veterans is New Mexico’s Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption. Recent changes to the state’s property tax laws (applicable since 2025 and 2026) provide more substantial relief for veterans, making it easier for disabled veterans in New Mexico to keep their homes and manage their cost of living. New Mexico also expanded access to state parks, offering free admission to veterans starting with July 2025. 

This guide helps disabled veterans and their families learn about local, state and federal programs and resources, as well as the legal assistance that may be available to them. It explains requirements for the VA disability benefits offered by New Mexico and how to access them. 

Property Tax Exemptions

Do disabled veterans pay property taxes in New Mexico? Not if they’re 100% disabled! Veterans with lower disability percentages can also benefit from a partial tax exemption. Additionally, New Mexico has a standard veteran tax exemption, separate from the disabled veteran tax exemption.

The Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption

Veterans who are 100% disabled are completely exempt from paying property taxes on their home. Starting in the 2026 tax year, veterans with a disability rating lower than 100% are also eligible for a proportional exemption.

  • The disabled veteran tax exemption is tied to the veteran’s principal residence and requires occupying the property as the principal dwelling. 
  • Required documentation includes the VA award letter (showing the current VA disability rating), DD-214, and proof of New Mexico residency. 
  • Timing matters! County assessors operate on yearly valuation cycles. To affect the current year’s valuation/notice, filing needs to happen before the county’s annual cutoff (often in spring). Confirm the exact deadline with your county assessor. 

How to apply

  • Step 1 (State): Obtain the property tax Certificate of Eligibility through the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services (NMDVS).
  • Step 2 (County): Submit the certificate to the County Assessor’s Office, and request confirmation of receipt and the effective tax year.

Standard Veteran Property Tax Exemption

The disabled veteran exemption isn’t the only property tax relief option. New Mexico also provides a baseline property tax reduction path for veterans and qualifying surviving spouses. This is a fixed reduction in taxable value (not a full waiver). Up to $10,000 of the taxable value of property may be exempt if the property is owned by a veteran (or the veteran’s unmarried surviving spouse) and the veteran/surviving spouse is a New Mexico resident. 

A practical strategy is to pursue the standard reduction immediately if eligible. That approach secures some financial leverage now, rather than waiting for the disability claim to be processed. The application process is the same: certificate/eligibility confirmation at NMDVS, then implementation on the property record at the County Assessor. Learn more about veteran tax exemptions from NMDVS. 

Transportation Benefits

Reduced Vehicle Registration Fees

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 the first vehicle. Find out more. 

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

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 must provide additional medical certification that specifically confirms the qualifying loss-of-use condition for the excise tax waiver. 

Education Benefits

The New Mexico Vietnam Veteran Scholarship

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 rules apply to veterans, spouses, and dependents using federal VA education benefits, depending on the program’s eligibility. 

The New Mexico Vietnam Veteran Scholarship

This scholarship is available for veterans who served in Vietnam and were awarded the Vietnam Service Medal or the Vietnam Campaign Medal. It covers the full cost of tuition and books at any state-sponsored 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→ 

Employment Benefits 

Veteran Hiring Preference in New Mexico 

When applying for state government jobs, veterans receive a preference in the hiring process. If you were honorably discharged, you receive 5 points added to your passing score on the employment examination. If you have a service connected disability, you receive 10 points. This preference helps veterans transition into stable careers in the public sector. In the private sector, businesses can receive up to a $1,000 business tax credit for each recently returned veteran they hire. 

Veteran-Owned Business Preference

New Mexico also supports veteran entrepreneurs. The state provides an additional 5% hiring preference for veteran-owned businesses or contractors on top of the existing 5% preference currently established for locally owned businesses during the bidding process for state contracts and jobs. This 10% preference gives small businesses owned by New Mexico veterans a competitive edge when competing for government work in the state of New Mexico. 

Recreation Benefits

Spending time outdoors is often therapeutic for veterans dealing with physical or mental health challenges. New Mexico offers several ways for disabled veterans to enjoy the state’s natural beauty at a reduced cost.

Free New Mexico State Park Access with the Lifetime Veteran Pass

As of July 1, 2025, New Mexico resident veterans can apply for a lifetime pass that 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 for their licenses. This helps veterans in recovery enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors without the high cost of out of state fees. 

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. 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 organizes special hunts specifically for disabled veterans. These events are often held on public lands with improved accessibility to ensure that mobility issues do not prevent veterans from participating in the state’s hunting traditions. Veterans with a 50 percent or higher disability rating can enter a special drawing for oryx hunts at the White Sands Missile Range.

For veterans with physical limitations, the Mobility Impaired certification is a helpful tool. If you have a permanent impairment that requires a wheelchair or walker, you can apply for this status. Once certified, you can use a crossbow during bow hunts and shoot from a parked vehicle as long as you are off the road and away from fences. You are also allowed to have an assistant help you track and finish a wounded animal. To qualify for Mobility Impaired certification, you must:

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

Healthcare Benefits

Access to quality medical care is the most critical need for most disabled veterans. New Mexico has a network of VA medical centers and clinics to serve this population. 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. 

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 is centrally located in Truth or Consequences and provides specialized attention including skilled nursing and memory care for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Admission is based on medical necessity and at least 90 days of honorable service. Spouses and Gold Star Parents are also eligible for admission. You can apply by contacting the admissions coordinator or through the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services.

Burial and Survivor Benefits

New Mexico operates three state veterans cemeteries (with a fourth one planned in Carlsbad) serving families who live far from national facilities. These cemeteries offer various burial options including in ground casket burial and spaces for cremated remains. Find out more. 

  • Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery – 31 Onate Rd, Angel Fire, NM 87710 | Phone (505) 225-4341
  • Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery – 1398 State Hwy 220, Fort Stanton, NM 88323 | Phone (505) 205-6707
  • Gallup State Veterans Cemetery – 333 National Cemetery Dr, Gallup, NM 87305 | Phone (575) 921-3494

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 and must continue to live in the home. Learn more about getting survivor benefits.

Federal Benefits Available to New Mexico Veterans 

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. 

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 

Benefits for Toxic Exposure

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: 

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

Getting VA Disability in New Mexico

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 get VA disability compensation and benefits. And it’s yours free of charge. We also offer a free ebook for easy, immediate access.

New Mexico State Assistance and Resources

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!