Texas veterans assistance fund receives record breaking boost as lottery contributions pass $301 million
Austin, Texas – Texas is entering Memorial Day weekend with a major milestone tied to veterans support, as state officials announced the Texas Lottery has now generated more than $301.3 million for programs benefiting former service members and their families across the state.
The achievement marks a historic moment for the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, commonly known as the FVA. The funding total comes 17 years after Texas lawmakers approved legislation directing proceeds from special veteran-themed scratch ticket games toward programs designed to help those who served in the military.
State leaders said the accomplishment reflects years of public participation from Texans who purchased lottery games dedicated to veterans’ causes. Officials also stressed that the money has played a direct role in helping thousands of families facing serious struggles tied to housing, mental health, financial hardship, and employment.
“As we approach this year’s Memorial Day commemorations, the Texas Lottery is incredibly proud to reach the $300 million mark in total contributions to our state’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance,” said Courtney Arbour, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which oversees the Texas Lottery. “This milestone reflects the unwavering support of our players and retailers, as well as our commitment to generating vital funds that provide life-changing services for Texas veterans and their families.”
Funding Helps Veterans Across Texas
The Texas Veterans Commission said the funding has become a major resource for organizations helping veterans in communities throughout the state. According to officials, the grants awarded through the program support a wide range of services, including counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder, emergency housing support, legal help, and assistance finding jobs.
Texas Veterans Commission Executive Director Tom Palladino, who also served in the Army, described the impact as enormous for military families dealing with difficult circumstances after service.
“The impact of this funding is tremendous. It helps tens of thousands of veterans and their families every year,” Palladino said. “We thank the Texans who purchase lottery scratch tickets that benefit our veterans. The $300 million generated by the Texas Lottery has empowered the FVA to award grants that provide vital services, from clinical counseling to housing and financial assistance to legal services. This partnership proves the Lone Star State remembers our men and women who served.”
Officials noted that Texas is home to more than 1.5 million veterans, making it one of the largest veteran populations in the nation. Because of that, the need for long-term assistance programs remains high, especially for veterans dealing with trauma, unstable housing, or difficulties returning to civilian life.
New Veterans Scratch Ticket Launches
The Texas Lottery is also preparing to continue raising money for the veterans fund with the release of another dedicated scratch ticket game. Beginning May 18, players will be able to purchase a new $2 game called Find $200, which was created specifically to benefit the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance.
The ticket becomes the 88th veterans-supporting scratch game introduced by the Texas Lottery since the program began. Officials said the game includes more than $11.9 million in total cash prizes, including more than 7,600 top prizes worth $200 each.
Players looking for the ticket can locate participating stores through the Texas Lottery website or by using the Texas Lottery mobile app.
The veterans’ lottery program traces back to legislation approved in 2009. The measure was authored by Representative Chris Turner and former Senator Leticia Van de Putte before being signed into law later that year. Since then, proceeds from veteran-themed lottery games have helped support hundreds of organizations throughout Texas, creating a funding stream that officials say continues to change lives nearly two decades later.
