Question 1

Can I use a VA loan with Texas down-payment assistance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, potentially. VA financing is compatible with TSAHC and TDHCA programs in their current product matrices. Fort Worth HAP and Dallas DHAP compatibility with VA loans must be confirmed with program-approved lenders. All layering requires lender and program approval.

Question 2

How much down payment do I need with a VA loan?

Accepted Answer

Many eligible veterans can purchase with no down payment — nearly 90% of VA-backed loans are made this way. However, zero down payment does not mean zero cash at closing. Closing costs, prepaid items, and other expenses may still apply.

Question 3

Does VA have a maximum loan amount?

Accepted Answer

A borrower with full VA entitlement has no VA loan limit. The lender’s underwriting, the property appraisal, and the purchase price still control the actual loan amount.

Question 4

Does VA require a 620 credit score?

Accepted Answer

VA does not impose a minimum credit score requirement. However, individual lenders may set their own minimum score standards.

Question 5

Who is exempt from the VA funding fee?

Accepted Answer

Veterans and service members receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, or who are eligible for such compensation but receive retirement or active-duty pay instead, are generally exempt. VA lists additional exemptions. Verify exempt status with VA and the lender before closing.

Question 6

Can I use a VA loan more than once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The VA loan benefit is reusable when entitlement is restored or remaining entitlement is sufficient for the new loan.

Question 7

Can a 100% disabled veteran pay no property tax in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A veteran who receives 100% VA disability compensation and has either a 100% service-connected disability rating or a VA Individual Unemployability determination may qualify for a total residence-homestead exemption under Texas Tax Code §11.131. The appraisal district makes the final determination.

Question 8

What if my disability rating is below 100%?

Accepted Answer

Texas provides partial property-tax exemptions under §11.22: 10–29% = up to $5,000; 30–49% = up to $7,500; 50–69% = up to $10,000; 70–100% = up to $12,000. The $12,000 exemption may also apply to veterans who are 65+ with at least 10% disability, totally blind, or who have lost use of one or more limbs.

Question 9

Does Individual Unemployability qualify?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Individual Unemployability (IU) is one of the two qualifying pathways for the Texas §11.131 full residence-homestead exemption, alongside a 100% disability rating. The veteran must also receive 100% disability compensation from VA.

Question 10

What benefits can a surviving spouse receive?

Accepted Answer

Potentially: VA COE eligibility in specified circumstances; VLB eligibility if the veteran was MIA or death was service-connected; Texas property-tax exemptions under §§11.131 (continuation/transfer), 11.133 (killed in line of duty), and 11.136 (qualifying condition/disease — applies regardless of disability rating at death). Fort Worth CAP and TVC-funded grantees may also serve surviving spouses.

Question 11

Can I use VLB and VA together?

Accepted Answer

Yes — through the VLB coordinated first-mortgage structure using a VLB participating lender. This is not two separate first mortgages but a combined structure.

Question 12

How much can I borrow through the VLB land program?

Accepted Answer

Up to $200,000 for a single eligible veteran, or up to $275,000 when two individually eligible veteran spouses buy the same tract. Generally requires at least 5% down. Rate as of verification: 7.25% (verify current rate before relying). Effective February 9, 2026.

Question 13

Is the VLB Home Improvement Loan currently open?

Accepted Answer

No. The Texas Veterans Land Board placed a temporary moratorium on new VLB Home Improvement Loan applications effective April 30, 2026, while evaluating program rules and future direction. Monitor the official VLB status page for updates.

Question 14

Can Guard/Reserve members qualify?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with specific pathways. National Guard members can qualify for VA COE through 90 days of non-training Title 10 service, a qualifying 90-day active-duty path, or 6 creditable years with continued service/honorable discharge/retirement. Reserve members can qualify through 90 days of non-training active duty or 6 creditable years in Selected Reserve. Texas National Guard members are explicitly included in VLB eligibility.

Question 15

What happens with an other-than-honorable discharge?

Accepted Answer

VA says a person with an other-than-honorable (OTH) or bad-conduct discharge may still apply for a COE and VA can review service records. A discharge upgrade or VA Character of Discharge review may offer a pathway. Dishonorable discharge is ineligible. VLB has separate discharge rules. A veteran in this situation should contact VA directly.

Question 16

Can different down-payment programs be combined?

Accepted Answer

Not automatically. Subordinate-lien rules, maximum assistance caps, source-of-funds requirements, income limits, recapture provisions, and lender underwriting may prevent stacking. Each program and lender must review the specific combination.

Question 17

What help exists if I am behind on a VA mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Contact the mortgage servicer immediately. Options may include VA Partial Claim (launched June 15, 2026), repayment plan, forbearance, loan modification, or other VA loss-mitigation tools. Contact VA Loan Guaranty at 877-827-3702 for support. SCRA may also apply for covered servicemembers on qualifying pre-service mortgages.

Question 18

What if I am homeless or at risk?

Accepted Answer

Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 (24/7). Ask about HUD-VASH (voucher + case management) and SSVF (rapid rehousing and prevention through VA-funded nonprofits). VA North Texas also provides local housing navigation. These are housing-stability programs, not homebuyer programs.

Question 19

What home-modification grants exist?

Accepted Answer

VA offers SAH (up to $126,526 FY2026), SHA (up to $25,350), and TRA (up to $50,961 for SAH-eligible or $9,100 for SHA-eligible veterans in a family member’s home). HISA provides up to $6,800 for medically necessary structural changes. TVC-funded Housing for Texas Heroes grantees may also provide repair/modification services locally.

Question 20

What additional programs exist in DFW?

Accepted Answer

Fort Worth HAP (up to $25,000), Fort Worth CAP (veteran housing stability/repairs), Dallas DHAP (up to $50,000 or $60,000 in High Opportunity Areas), TDHCA HFC partnerships (Denton County, Arlington, Rowlett, McKinney), and TVC FY27 North Texas grants to 28 organizations including housing-focused grantees. VA North Texas provides local homeless veteran care. Use the TVC Grant Services Directory to find the provider serving your county.

Frequently Asked Questions