EL PASO -- Although veterans sacrifice time with loved ones and even their mental health while on duty, the numbers taking advantage of state and federal benefits they are owed are declining, according to two state lawmakers.

"When only 27 percent of eligible veterans receive a (Veterans Affairs) pension and only one in seven of eligible veterans' survivors receive a pension, we need to reach out," said state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, who was at a Northeast Veterans of Foreign Wars post Friday to announce the creation of an online newsletter to inform Texas veterans of their options.

"We want to put 500,000 Texas veterans into E-Vets so they can get a weekly update," he said.

Shapleigh and Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, also outlined a piece of legislation each is sponsoring that would put into law a proposal approved by voters exempting totally disabled veterans from property taxes.

Progress on those bills and information about benefits such as pensions and discounted hunting licenses will be available on the Web site, which is set to be available for use by 2010, Shapleigh said.

Other bills sponsored by Shapleigh include hiring more counselors at schools serving military families to help them deal with moving or loss of a loved one; providing in-state tuition rates to veterans and their families; and help finding medical treatment.

About 158,000 people with service-connected disabilities are served by the Texas Veterans Commission, said John House, the commission's marketing director. He noted that veterans who use a veterans service organization to file disability claims receive an average of $6,200 more than those who don't.

"The majority of veterans are just unaware that the benefits existed," House said.

"Because they didn't retire in the military or they didn't have combat duty, they think they don't qualify. But, whether it's two years or five years, there's probably a benefit they are eligible for."

Veterans may call 1-800-827-1000 to find a veterans service officer.