New Mexico Exclusive State Benefits

Factoid: New Mexico has one of the highest veteran populations per capita, with strong military ties to White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and Kirtland Air Force Base. Its diverse veteran community includes a large Native American veteran population and a high proportion of combat veterans. New Mexico is also one of the few states offering a specific Wartime Veterans Scholarship for higher education.
Key Contact:
New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NMDVS)
📍 Bataan Memorial Building, 407 Galisteo Street, Room 134, Santa Fe, NM 87501
🌐 https://www.nmdvs.org | 📞 (505) 383 2400

⚕️ State Veterans’ Home
🟩 The New Mexico State Veterans’ Home in Truth or Consequences offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, Alzheimer’s/dementia care, and hospice services. Priority is given to New Mexico veterans and spouses.
📍 992 South Broadway, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901
🌐 https://www.nmdvs.org/nmsvh/ | 📞 (575) 894 4200
🚗 Motor Vehicle Benefits
🟩 Free “Veteran” designation on driver’s license or ID card.
🟩 Special license plates for honorably discharged veterans, disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and Gold Star families (fees vary).
📍 NM Motor Vehicle Division, multiple statewide offices
🌐 https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov | 📞 (888) 683 4636
🏠 Property Tax Exemption
🟩 Eligible veterans may receive up to $4,000 off the taxable value of their home.
🟩 100% disabled veterans may qualify for a total property tax exemption on their primary residence.
📍 Local County Assessor’s Office (required to apply in person or by mail)
🌐 https://www.tax.newmexico.gov/property-tax/ | 📞 (505) 827 0870
💵 Income Tax Benefits
🟩 Military retirement pay is fully exempt from New Mexico state income tax (effective 2022).
🟩 VA disability compensation and survivor benefits are also tax free.
🌐 https://www.tax.newmexico.gov | 📞 (505) 827 0700
🎓 Wartime Veterans Scholarship
🟩 Covers tuition and fees at any state funded public college or university for honorably discharged New Mexico resident veterans who served in combat.
🟩 Also available to children of deceased wartime veterans in certain cases.
📍 Apply through the New Mexico Higher Education Department
🌐 https://hed.state.nm.us | 📞 (800) 279 9777
🚌 Veteran Transportation Program
🟩 Free transportation for veterans to VA medical appointments and state veteran services offices via NMDVS operated shuttles.
📍 Contact local NMDVS office for schedule and pick up points
🌐 https://www.nmdvs.org/state-benefits/veterans-transportation-program/ | 📞 (505) 383 2400
🌳 Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Recreation
🟩 Free lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for 100% disabled veterans.
🟩 Reduced fee licenses for other veterans.
🟩 Free admission to all New Mexico State Parks for veterans with ≥50% VA disability rating.
📍 NM State Parks Division, 1220 S. St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505
🌐 https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/spd/fees-and-permits/ | 📞 (505) 476 3355
💼 Employment Services
🟩 Veterans receive preference in state government hiring.
🟩 Priority access to job counseling and placement through the New Mexico Workforce Connection Centers.
📍 Multiple locations statewide
🌐 https://www.dws.state.nm.us | 📞 (505) 841 8405
⚖️ Legal Assistance
🟩 Free legal clinics for veterans offered by the State Bar of New Mexico and partnering law schools.
🟩 Veterans Treatment Courts available in several counties to support justice involved veterans.
🌐 https://www.sbnm.org | 📞 (505) 797 6000
⚰️ State Veterans Cemeteries
🟩 Free burial in New Mexico State Veterans Cemeteries located in Angel Fire, Fort Stanton, and Gallup.
🟩 Includes grave liner, marker, perpetual care, and military honors.
🌐 https://www.nmdvs.org/state-veterans-cemeteries/ | 📞 (505) 383 2400
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Disclaimer:
This is NOT an official handout from DoD, VA, DOL nor FFSC but created by Dr. Tony Astro, PhD, GCDF, CMCS, CCSP as part of his class & capstone counseling. To reach out for correction and additional information connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyastro. You can also subscribe to his Military Benefits and Transition page for an update on this at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonyastro.