SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Articles
My discharge is listed as “other than honorable.” Can I use the Hazlewood exemption?
No. You must have a discharge of “honorable” or “general, under honorable conditions.” You can make a request to have your discharge status upgraded. For information, contact the Texas Veterans Commission.
My military documents state I have an “honorable separation” as opposed to an “honorable discharge”. Can I still qualify for Hazlewood Act benefits?
Yes. In September 1996, the Texas Attorney General issued an opinion that military personnel honorably separated after being on active duty may qualify for the Hazlewood Act exemption if they meet other program requirements.
Length of active military duty
Is the required amount of active service still 181 days? Are there any exceptions?
The requirement is “more than 180 days” of active military service, excluding training, for the veteran. There are exceptions: veterans who completed all of their duty prior to the conclusion of the Korean War. If the applicant is the dependent child of a veteran who died in the line of duty, the active duty time of the veteran may be fewer than 181 days.
If a veteran served less than 181 days of active duty service when he/she entered the service as a Texas resident, but had previously participated in active duty in the armed forces, could periods of service be combined to meet the 181-day requirement?
Yes. The law requires more than 180 days of active duty excluding training. It does not indicate this duty time has to fall in the period of service after entering as a Texas resident.
Military Duty Issues
Can service in the Texas National Guard Qualify an individual for Hazlewood Act benefits?
No. The Hazlewood Act benefit is for veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States. The National Guard is a state unit. However, and individual in the National Guard who is called into active duty service by a branch of the United States Armed Forces who serves at least 181 days (excluding training) and meets all other program requirements may qualify for Hazlewood Act benefits.
