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South Carolina veteran benefits offer a wide range of exemptions and opportunities for current and former Armed Forces members.

With over 350,000 veteran residents in South Carolina, veterans make up 7 percent of the state’s population!

South Carolina veteran benefits include (but are not limited to):

Property and income tax exemptions
Tuition assistance
An extensive employment assistance program
Financial assistance for service members in need
Vehicle sales tax exemptions
Recreation discounts

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An excellent resource for South Carolina veterans is the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which administers many South Carolina state veteran benefits.

As you explore our guide, make sure to compare the different types of exemptions you may qualify for, especially regarding property and income tax exemptions and recreation discounts.

Table of Contents

South Carolina Veteran Benefits for Property Tax

South Carolina state veteran benefits include several different exemptions under the South Carolina Complete Property Tax Homestead Exemption.

Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a 100 percent permanent and total (P&T) VA disability rating are eligible for a complete property tax exemption for a home and up to five acres of land.

Former Prisoners of War and Medal of Honor Recipients

Former Prisoners of War and Medal of Honor recipients are eligible for a complete property tax exemption for a home and up to one acre of land.

Surviving spouses can also maintain this property tax exemption if they inherit and maintain sole ownership of the home.

You can apply for a property tax exemption online with the South Carolina Department of Revenue.

South Carolina Veteran Benefits Include Income Tax Exemptions

South Carolina taxes both active duty pay and military retirement pay based on income (zero to seven percent). The state taxes active-duty military income regardless of where you’re stationed.

Members of the South Carolina National Guard and Reservists do not pay state income tax on their military pay.

South Carolina also offers veterans deductions on military retirement pay. As of 2022, all military retirement pay is exempt from South Carolina Individual Income Tax. This exemption does not include any earned income cap.

There are two options for these deductions:

Deduction of up to $17,500 (for veterans under age 65).You must have other earned income to claim this deduction. If you have no other earned income, you can claim a deduction of up to $3,000.
Deduction of up to $30,000 (for veterans age 65 and older). Military retirees 65 and older don’t have to have other earned income and can claim a deduction of up to $30,000 of military retirement income for 2020. Any retirement deduction and age 65 and older deductions are reduced by any military retirement deduction taken.

Surviving spouses may also deduct the same amount if they receive military retirement pay under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

Other Income Tax Exclusions for South Carolina Veterans

Any federal tax-exempt pension or compensation provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Combat pay and certain benefits not included in federal taxable income
Service pay for non-resident military personnel on active duty in South Carolina who are legal residents of other states

South Carolina Veteran Benefits for Education

South Carolina veteran benefits for education are excellent. These opportunities for veterans and their families augment the federal education support available to all U.S. veterans.

There are many military-friendly colleges in South Carolina. As of 2017, 146 South Carolina schools received Post 9/11 GI bill funds totaling over $80 million for over 11,000 students.

Resident College Tuition Rates in South Carolina

In-state tuition rates are available at any public college or university in South Carolina for active-duty military personnel or members of the National Guard (or their spouses or dependent children). Veterans eligible for VA education benefits (or their spouse or dependent children) are also eligible for resident tuition.

Additionally, if veterans enroll within three years of leaving active duty service, they also qualify for in-state tuition. Qualifying students must move to and remain in South Carolina during their course of study.

Learn more about in-state tuition for veterans here.

College Credit in South Carolina for Military Training

South Carolina state veteran benefits allow veterans to apply their time in service toward a degree, converting their military training and experience into college credits.

Most universities and community colleges in South Carolina use the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations to award academic credit toward a degree for education and training received in the military. Each school reviews and assigns credits differently, but you can check potential credit at ACENET.

To claim college credit for military training, request a transcript from your military service branch. Army, Navy, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard members should request a Joint Services Transcript. Air Force members should request a Community College of the Air Force transcript.

South Carolina National Guard College Tuition Assistance

Serving in the South Carolina Army National Guard could earn you up to $5,500 per year towards your tuition and fees at a state-supported school. You must be a South Carolina National Guard member in good standing with your unit. You can use this benefit for four years, but only towards your first undergraduate degree.

Air National Guard members can get up to a maximum of $11,000 per academic year if enrolled in a two-year program at two-year or four-year eligible South Carolina Institutions OR a maximum of $5,500 at eligible SC four-year Institutions per academic year.

To apply, fill out the online application or contact the South Carolina National Guard Education Office at (803) 299-2734.

Free College Tuition for Children of Veterans

South Carolina honors the service and sacrifice of veterans by providing free college tuition to the children of veterans.

To be eligible, veterans must have wartime service and an honorable discharge. Veterans must also be current residents for at least one year (or have been residents when they entered into service).

south carolina 100 disabled veterans benefits

Eligible veterans include those who meet any of the following criteria:

has a permanent and total (P&T) VA disability rating
received the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart
was MIA, KIA, or POW
died of disease or disability due to service

Children age 26 or younger qualify for these benefits. You can find a list of supported schools in South Carolina and apply for free tuition online.

Hiring and Employment Benefits for South Carolina Veterans

Several South Carolina veteran benefits offer support with employment, and many resources are available to help veterans and their families find jobs and advance their careers.

South Carolina Veterans’ Employment Preference

South Carolina veterans and disabled veterans receive preference when applying for federal, state, county, and local government jobs.

South Carolina offers interview preference to veterans. The state requires that at least one qualified veteran is interviewed for each job. Veterans must have an honorable discharge to receive preference, and meet minimum training and qualification requirements.

South Carolina Operation Palmetto Employment Services

South Carolina helps veterans find meaningful civilian careers through Operation Palmetto. The Department of Employment and Workforce program helps veterans receive priority for hiring through an online job portal. Veterans receive job preference on the portal and get early application access to jobs.

Access the job database online here.

SC Works Centers

Veteran service officers at SC Works Centers are equipped with the knowledge to help transitioning military members and veterans find civilian employment.

Veterans receive priority service in the centers, which provide:

Individual career coaching
Job referrals
Resume preparation
Job training programs and services

Find a SC Works Center near you or find more information on the online portal.

Financial Assistance Programs in South Carolina

South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund (SCMFRF)

South Carolina veteran benefits include a program to help South Carolina National Guard members and Reservists when emergencies happen.

Members who have been called to active service can get help with unforeseen emergency expenses when they receive less pay (30 percent or greater) while serving than they would have on their civilian job.

A few examples of emergency expenses the fund covers include:

Preventing veteran homelessness by covering housing and utilities
Illness of a veteran or family member that results in hardship
Food

The fund will approve up to $2,000 for any condition that puts a veteran at risk of not having basic necessities.

To qualify, service members must have been called to active duty for 30 days or more due to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

If there is no financial need, service members can still apply for the status-based grant, which provides members a flat rate of $500. Additionally, service members or next of kin can request a casualty-based grant of $1,000 for those who sustained a service-connected injury or KIA/MIA or POW members.

You can only receive the grant once per fiscal year and only once per set of active duty orders. You must also have a rank no higher than O-3 or W-2.

Learn more about the South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund.

You can apply for the grant here.

South Carolina Veteran Benefits for Housing

Veterans Homes in South Carolina

South Carolina veteran benefits include three Veterans Nursing Homes within the state.

These homes (located in Columbia, Anderson, and Walterboro) offer long-term care for veterans in need. The homes are only for veterans and their spouses who require skilled and intermediate nursing care. Memory care may also be available for veterans with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

south carolina disabled veteran benefits

Residents have access to many services, including:

Medical care, including memory care
Nursing care
Rehabilitative therapy
Pharmacy services
Recreational activities
Social services
Dietary services
Transportation

To be eligible, veterans must have an honorable discharge and must be South Carolina residents for at least one year.

To learn more about each home and how to apply, visit the respective homes’ website:

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South Carolina Veteran Benefits for Healthcare

Location	Medical Facilities and Vet Centers for South Carolina Veterans
Aiken	Aiken Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Anderson	Anderson County Clinic
Beaufort	Beaufort Clinic
Charleston	Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center
Columbia	Columbia VA Health Care System
Columbia	Columbia, SC Vet Center
Florence	Florence CBOC
Goose Creek	Goose Creek CBOC
Greenville	Greenville Clinic
Greenville	Greenville, SC Vet Center
Myrtle Beach	Myrtle Beach CBOC
Myrtle Beach	Myrtle Beach VA Clinic – Market Common
Myrtle Beach	Myrtle Beach Vet Center
North Charleston	Trident VA Clinic
North Charleston	Trident VA Clinic – 9229 University Blvd
North Charleston	VA Community Resource and Referral Center
North Charleston	Charleston, SC Vet Center
Orangeburg	Orangeburg County Clinic
Rock Hill	Rock Hill Clinic
Spartanburg	Spartanburg CBOC
Sumter	Sumter County Clinic

South Carolina Veteran Benefits for Vehicle and Driver’s Licenses

South Carolina Veteran Designation on Driver License or Identification (ID) Cards

For a small fee, any honorably discharged veteran can request a Veteran designation on the front of a South Carolina driver’s license or ID card.

The word “Veteran” printed on the center of a license allows South Carolina veterans to validate their honorable service with a government-issued ID card.

To apply for South Carolina veteran benefits through the Motor Vehicle Division, veterans must submit an application form along with a DD214 in-person at the local South Carolina DMV office.

Free License Plate for Disabled Veterans

South Carolina disabled veteran benefits include a free and permanent license plate for:

disabled wartime veterans with a P&T rating
veterans who are blind
veterans who have lost the use of one or both arms or legs

Veterans can get up to two plates. This plate gives you free parking at city meters, but you cannot park in handicapped parking with this plate.

Veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, or Palmetto Cross don’t have to pay vehicle registration fees; the same goes for former POWs, Korean War veterans, and Gold Star families.

You can apply for a disabled veteran plate or other military plates through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles by completing this application and mailing it to:

SC Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0038

Vehicle Tax Exemptions in South Carolina

100% Disabled veterans benefits in South Carolina include an exemption from paying sales tax on up to two vehicles whether purchased or leased. This also applies to former POWs and Medal of Honor recipients.

sc property tax exemption disabled veterans

Additionally, unremarried surviving spouses of eligible disabled veterans or former POWs are exempt from paying sales tax on one vehicle. Claims for exemptions must be received within two years from the date taxes were paid.

Apply with Form PT-401 and mail to:

SCDOR
Government Services Division
PO Box 125
Columbia, SC 29214-0720

South Carolina Veteran Benefits for Recreation

Free South Carolina Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

South Carolina veteran benefits include a free three-year combination license for disabled veterans. With this license, you can access freshwater fishing, freshwater set hook, saltwater fishing, state hunting, big game, wildlife management area permit, and migratory waterfowl permits.

Click here for more information.

Apply online with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Recreational Licenses for Active Duty Military Members

Active military and their dependents stationed in South Carolina for 30 days or more may purchase licenses at resident prices.

Residents who are home on leave may hunt and fish without buying a license. Be sure to carry your leave paperwork with you. You’ll still need a permit to hunt big game, migratory birds, and to hunt on Wildlife Management Area land.

You can purchase licenses online.

South Carolina State Park Discounts for Veterans

Disabled veterans benefits in South Carolina include state park passes at a 50-percent discount.

All Park Passport

This annual park passport provides free state park entry for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle. Holders also receive free admission to many historic sites around South Carolina.

SELECT Park Passport

The SELECT Park Passport provides free entry for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle to 35 South Carolina State Parks.

You can purchase South Carolina park passes online.

Miscellaneous Benefits for South Carolina Veterans

Free Legal Assistance for Veterans

South Carolina veteran benefits include access to a program that provides free one-on-one legal advice. Lawyers 4 Vets provide limited pro bono legal counsel regarding child support, expunging criminal records, pardon applications, and wills or power of attorney creation.

Legal advice is available to veteran residents living in:

Anderson
Florence
Greenwood
Lexington
Orangeburg
Richland
Sumter
York counties

Veterans must also meet income limits to participate but don’t need an honorable discharge.

For legal services, veterans must schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-289-6000.

South Carolina State Veteran Benefits – FAQs

Are there special property tax exemptions for South Carolina veterans?

Yes! South Carolina veterans with a VA disability rating of 100 percent P&T receive a property tax exemption up to the value of their home plus five acres of land. Former POWs and Medal of Honor Recipients are eligible for a property tax exemption on a home plus one acre of land. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also apply for this benefit if they inherit the home and maintain sole ownership.

Are there income tax benefits for South Carolina veterans?

Active duty service members who are residents of South Carolina pay state income tax regardless of where they’re stationed. However, National Guard members and Reservists generally don’t pay state income tax on their military pay. There are also several exemptions for military retirement pay listed in the income tax section above.

Does South Carolina award college credit for military training?

Yes! South Carolina colleges and universities consider military training and experience and award credit and credentialing appropriately.

Do South Carolina veterans receive preferential treatment when seeking employment?

South Carolina veterans with an honorable discharge receive limited employment preference for state jobs. The state is required to interview at least one qualified veteran for each state job position.

Does South Carolina offer employment counseling and assistance to veterans seeking employment?

Yes! South Carolina veteran benefits include many different types of employment assistance to veterans. Operation Palmetto gives preference to veterans on job listings and offers early access to apply. SC Works Centers also provide individual career coaching, job referrals, resume preparation, and job training programs.

Does South Carolina offer any special financial assistance to veterans and their families?

The South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund provides up to $2,000 to South Carolina National Guard members or Reservists called to active duty who receive a pay cut (of 30 percent or more) while on active orders. Those who don’t meet the income requirement can still apply for a grant up to $500. Family members of veterans injured while on active orders or killed in the line of duty can also request a $1,000 grant.

Are there vehicle tax exemptions for veterans in South Carolina?

South Carolina offers a sales tax exemption on two personal vehicles for 100 percent P&T disabled veterans, former POWs, or Medal of Honor recipients. You must claim the exemption within two years of the purchase. Additionally, surviving spouses are exempt from paying sales tax on one vehicle.

Are there special South Carolina veteran benefits offering reduced recreational fees?

There are many South Carolina veteran benefits for recreation! The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources offers free hunting and fishing licenses to resident veterans with a disability rating of 100 percent.

Service members home on leave in South Carolina don’t need a hunting or fishing license. Members stationed in South Carolina are eligible to purchase licenses at resident prices. There are also discounted state park passes for 100 percent P&T disabled veterans and South Carolina National Guard members.

MAKE SURE YOU GET ALL THE BENEFITS YOU DESERVE

Regardless of what state you live in, it’s important that you pursue the monthly compensation payments due to you for disabilities connected to your military service.

Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation they deserve. At VA Claims Insider, we help veterans understand and take control of the claims process so they can get the rating and compensation they’re owed by law.

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If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating – or you’re not sure how to get started – reach out to us for a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call, so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation you deserve. We’ve supported more than 15,000 veterans to win their claims and increase their ratings. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.

About the Author

Brian Reese

Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.

A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.

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