If you're a veteran living in Texas, you have access to a wide range of benefits from both the state of Texas and the federal government. This guide will answer the question, "What benefits do veterans get in Texas?" with a special focus on a powerful federal health benefit you can use locally: VA-referred massage therapy.
An Overview of Texas State Veteran Benefits
The state of Texas is widely recognized for its strong support of veterans. While our site focuses on health benefits available in McAllen, it's helpful to know the broad categories of support available at the state level:
- Education: The Hazlewood Act is a key Texas benefit, offering qualified veterans and their dependents up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemption at public institutions.
- Housing & Land: The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) provides home loans, land loans, and home improvement loans for veterans in Texas.
- Property Taxes: Texas offers significant property tax exemptions for veterans with VA disability ratings, especially for those with a 100% rating.
- Employment: Texas state agencies offer a veteran's preference in hiring.
These state benefits are invaluable, but they are separate from the federal benefits you've earned through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
A Key Federal Benefit You Can Use in Texas: Massage Therapy
Beyond state programs, your VA healthcare provides a massive range of benefits. One of the most effective and underutilized benefits for managing pain and stress is therapeutic massage, which you can access right here in McAllen.
This is not a "spa" massage. This is clinical, therapeutic massage prescribed by your doctor to treat specific conditions. It is often covered at no cost to the veteran when deemed medically necessary.
This benefit is designed to help with conditions many veterans face, including:
- Chronic Back and Neck Pain
- Stress and Anxiety
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica and Nerve Pain
- Symptoms related to PTSD
For a complete overview, see our Guide to Veteran Massage Therapy.
How to Access Your Massage Benefit in McAllen
This federal benefit is accessed locally through the VA Community Care Program. This program allows you to receive VA-approved care from trusted, local providers in your community, like the ones in McAllen.
The process is simple:
- Talk to Your VA Doctor: At your next appointment with your VA Primary Care Provider (PCP), discuss your chronic pain or stress symptoms.
- Ask About Massage: Ask your doctor if therapeutic massage is a suitable treatment for your condition.
- Get a Referral: If they agree, they will place a referral for massage therapy through the VA Community Care program.
- Choose Your Provider: The Community Care office will call you to schedule. You can tell them you would like to go to one of the trusted local providers.
Trusted McAllen-Area Providers
When the VA Community Care office contacts you, you can request one of these trusted, VA-approved clinics in the McAllen / Pharr area to ensure you are seen by a professional experienced in veteran care.
The Best of Both Worlds
As a veteran in Texas, you have a powerful combination of benefits. You have excellent state-level programs for education and housing, and you also have robust federal VA health benefits that you can use right in your McAllen community. Don't miss out on effective therapies like massage that can directly improve your quality of life.