State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in South Carolina

South Carolina exempts military retirement income and offers property tax relief for permanently and totally disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses. Education benefits include tuition waivers for eligible veterans' children and college assistance for National Guard members.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs

Provides services to veterans and their families.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 803-734-0200

Free help with VA claims

State and county veterans' affairs officers help veterans and families file claims. Use the county directory to find local help. Accredited VSO representatives provide VA benefit claims services free of charge.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

Disabled veteran and surviving spouse home exemption

Who qualifies
Veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability who own their legal residence in fee or jointly with a spouse. An eligible surviving spouse must remain unmarried, live in the home, and own it in fee or for life. The veteran need not have claimed the exemption before death.
What you get
Exempts the home and its lot, up to five acres, from property tax.
How to apply
Apply through SCDOR's MyDORWAY property exemption application and provide disability certification.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code §§ 12-37-220(B)(1), 12-37-610

Sources (3)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement income deduction

Who qualifies
Taxpayers and surviving spouses receiving otherwise taxable distributions from a qualified military retirement plan. Premature distributions subject to a penalty do not qualify.
What you get
Deducts all military retirement income included in South Carolina taxable income.
How to apply
Claim the military retirement deduction on SC1040. The 2025 instructions identify line p-4 for the taxpayer's military retirement; use the instructions for the return year.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code § 12-6-1171

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Tuition Assistance for Certain War Veterans' Children

Who qualifies
Children age 26 or younger pursuing an undergraduate degree and meeting state tuition residency rules. The veteran must have served honorably during a federally defined war period and have died in action or service, died of service-related disease or disability, been a POW or MIA, become permanently and totally disabled as determined by VA, or received the Medal of Honor or combat Purple Heart. Children of deceased qualifying POWs or permanently and totally disabled veterans are included. One residency route must apply: the veteran lived in South Carolina at entry and during service; has lived there at least one year and still does; lived there one year before death; or the child has lived there since birth.
What you get
Free tuition at state-supported colleges, universities, and post-high-school technical institutions while work and conduct remain satisfactory.
How to apply
Apply to SCDVA for approval using the education program page.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code § 59-111-20, as amended by Act 135 of 2026

Sources (1)

South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program

Who qualifies
South Carolina Army or Air National Guard members in good standing with eligible college expenses and satisfactory academic standing. Basic training and AIT must be completed. Enlisted members must keep serving through funded courses; officers must serve at least four years after the latest grant or degree completion. Full ROTC scholarship recipients do not qualify. Graduate courses are excluded.
What you get
For academic year 2026 to 2027, tuition and fee assistance can reach $12,000, with a $25,000 lifetime maximum. The annual budget permits awards beyond 130 semester hours. Funding is limited.
How to apply
Apply through the Commission on Higher Education program page during the posted application windows. Funding is first come, first served.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code chapter 59-114; FY2026-2027 Appropriations proviso 117.137

Sources (3)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' preference for public employment

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged Armed Forces members who qualify for federal employment preference and have the skill and knowledge needed for the position.
What you get
Preference for public employment where practicable. For state FTE hiring, at least one qualified veteran must be interviewed.
How to apply
Identify veteran status when applying. Submit the DD214 to human resources when requested and before the interview.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code § 1-1-550

Sources (3)

Licenses, plates and parks

Disability hunting and fishing licenses

Who qualifies
U.S. citizens domiciled in South Carolina for at least 365 consecutive days who are disabled and receiving benefits from VA or another listed disability program. Applicants born after June 30, 1979 need hunter education certification for hunting privileges.
What you get
A three-year disability combination or fishing license at no cost. The combination license includes big game, migratory waterfowl, wildlife management areas, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing.
How to apply
Email [email protected] with your name and telephone number to request the application and instructions.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code §§ 50-9-30, 50-9-525

Sources (2)

State park discounts for disabled veterans

Who qualifies
South Carolina resident veterans classified by VA as permanently and totally disabled.
What you get
Qualifying state park discounts must be at least 35% under the later fee law.
How to apply
Present the county veterans affairs officer's identification card showing permanent and total disability to the person in charge of the park.

Official page (opens in a new tab) S.C. Code §§ 51-3-60, 51-3-65

Sources (1)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.