State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in South Dakota

South Dakota offers property tax exemptions for qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and tuition benefits for eligible veterans, families and National Guard members. It has no state income tax and offers recreation benefits and preference in public employment.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in South Dakota

South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs

The department advocates for veterans and connects them with benefits, services and support.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 605-773-3269

Free help with VA claims

Use the official county and tribal veterans service officer directory for help with benefits and claims. The state department also offers free assistance.

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.

Open the Benefits Finder

Property tax relief

Disabled veteran property tax exemption

Who qualifies
Veterans rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability who own and occupy a dwelling classified as owner-occupied. Veteran status requires completing the active-duty, Reserve or Guard obligation, or early discharge for medical reasons, hardship, reduction in force or military convenience, with an honorable or under-honorable-conditions separation.
What you get
For 2026, exempts $200,000 of the dwelling's full and true value from property tax.
How to apply
Submit the application to your county director of equalization by November 1. If a pending VA permanent-and-total claim caused a missed deadline, request a refund or abatement from the county board for qualifying taxes since the claim's effective date, limited to the previous four years.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 10-4-40; 33A-2-1

Sources (3)

Surviving spouse property tax exemption

Who qualifies
Unremarried surviving spouses who own and occupy a dwelling classified as owner-occupied. The veteran must have been permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or the spouse must receive VA dependency and indemnity compensation because of the veteran's service-connected death.
What you get
For 2026, exempts $200,000 of the dwelling's full and true value from property tax.
How to apply
Submit the application to your county director of equalization by November 1. A qualifying spouse who missed the deadline may petition the county board for a discretionary abatement or refund covering no more than the previous four years.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 10-4-41

Sources (2)

Property tax exemption for paraplegic or amputee veterans

Who qualifies
Veterans with paraplegia or loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, and their unremarried surviving spouses, who own and occupy the dwelling throughout the calendar year being taxed. It must be designed for wheelchair use. Veteran status requires completing the active-duty, Reserve or Guard obligation, or early discharge for medical reasons, hardship, reduction in force or military convenience, with an honorable or under-honorable-conditions separation.
What you get
Exempts the qualifying dwelling from property tax, including up to one acre or surrounding land necessary for its use as a dwelling.
How to apply
Apply to the county director of equalization by November 1. Veterans who missed an application deadline may ask the county board to refund qualifying taxes paid in the previous four years; approval is discretionary.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 10-4-24.9; 10-4-24.10; 33A-2-1

Sources (4)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: No income tax

South Dakota has no state income tax, so it does not tax military retirement pay.

Sources (1)

Education and tuition

Veterans free tuition

Who qualifies
South Dakota residents eligible for resident tuition and admission, with federal education benefits exhausted or unavailable. Veteran status requires a completed military obligation or early discharge for medical reasons, hardship, reduction in force or military convenience, and honorable or under-honorable-conditions separation. Qualifying service includes at least one active-duty day during December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946; June 25, 1950 to May 7, 1975; or August 2, 1990 until the legislature ends hostilities. Qualifying overseas combat-medal service or service-connected disability also qualifies; the disability-only route requires at least a 10% VA rating. Guard or Reserve training alone is excluded unless it directly supported or participated in combat under department rules.
What you get
Free tuition for undergraduate Board of Regents courses or state technical-college courses, normally limited to state general-fund-supported instruction. One academic month per month or major fraction of qualifying service, with at least one and at most four academic years.
How to apply
Email the linked application, MEMBER-4 DD214 and applicable VA award letter to [email protected].

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 13-55-2 to 13-55-5; 13-55-23; 33A-2-1; 33A-2-2

Sources (4)

Free tuition for children and spouses after military death or Guard disability

Who qualifies
South Dakota resident children under 25 whose veteran parent died from any cause during military service, if the parent lived in South Dakota for at least six months immediately before entering active service. A separate route covers South Dakota resident children under 25 and resident spouses of South Dakota National Guard members who died or became permanently and totally disabled because of state or federal active duty or authorized training.
What you get
Tuition-free study at state Board of Regents institutions and state technical colleges, normally for state general-fund-supported instruction.
How to apply
Email the linked family application and applicable DD214, NGB22, dependent verification, death certificate or VA award letter to [email protected].

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 13-55-6 to 13-55-10; 13-55-23

Sources (2)

South Dakota National Guard State Tuition Assistance

Who qualifies
South Dakota Army or Air National Guard members who meet admission requirements, remain members throughout the covered term, finish initial basic training, perform duty satisfactorily, attend at least 90% of scheduled drills and annual training, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Nonresidents qualify for Board of Regents benefits at resident rates; the technical-college route requires South Dakota residency.
What you get
For 2026, covers 100% of in-state tuition at Board of Regents institutions, up to 128 undergraduate credits and 32 graduate credits, or tuition for one approved state technical-college program. Participating in-state private nonprofit colleges accept the capped state benefit plus federal tuition benefits as full tuition payment. Applicable Defense, Army or Air Force tuition aid applies first; combined aid cannot exceed tuition. VA benefits are excluded from that federal-aid definition.
How to apply
Apply to the Department of the Military using the portal linked from the program page, from 60 days before through seven days after the course starts. Notify the institution at registration.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 33-6-5 to 33-6-8.1

Sources (2)

State jobs and hiring preference

Public employment veterans preference

Who qualifies
Qualified U.S.-citizen veterans with honorable or under-honorable-conditions separation, after completing their military obligation or early discharge for medical reasons, hardship, reduction in force or military convenience. Qualified unmarried surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected cause also qualify, as do qualified spouses of veterans unable to use preference because of service-connected disability.
What you get
Preference in state and local public appointment, employment and promotion. Veterans meeting minimum qualifications receive an interview. Service-connected disabled veterans take preference over nondisabled veterans; state civil-service disability credit requires at least a 10% VA rating in 2026. Department heads, policy-making officials, private secretaries and strictly confidential appointees are excluded.
How to apply
Claim preference on the application and file by the vacancy's closing date. For state civil-service positions, submit DD214, DD214R or NGB22, plus VA proof of at least 10% disability when seeking disability credit.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 3-3-1; 3-3-2; 3-3-6 to 3-3-8; 33A-2-1; ARSD 55:10:02:04; 55:10:02:08

Sources (3)

Licenses, plates and parks

Reduced-fee small game hunting and fishing license

Who qualifies
South Dakota residents receiving a veterans allotment for at least 40% service-connected disability or a VA K Award; former POWs; or people with active-duty, Reserve or National Guard service who are at least 40% disabled for Social Security benefits. Generally, Title 41 residency requires 90 consecutive days of South Dakota domicile, no competing residency or out-of-state resident hunting, fishing or trapping privileges, and transfer of driver license and vehicle registrations; statutory deemed-resident exceptions apply.
What you get
For 2026, $10 buys resident small game hunting and fishing privileges for four calendar years while the holder remains a resident.
How to apply
Mail the application, eligibility verification and $10 to Game, Fish and Parks, Disability License, 20641 SD Hwy 1806, Fort Pierre, SD 57532.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 41-6-10.2; 41-1-1; 41-1-1.1

Sources (4)

Lifetime state park entrance and half-price camping

Who qualifies
South Dakota residents receiving a veterans allotment for total service-connected disability or a VA K Award; former POWs; and veterans of active-duty, Reserve or National Guard service whom VA classifies as totally disabled from a service-connected injury. Generally, Title 41 residency requires 90 consecutive days of South Dakota domicile, no competing residency or out-of-state resident hunting, fishing or trapping privileges, and transfer of driver license and vehicle registrations; statutory deemed-resident exceptions apply.
What you get
Free lifetime entrance to South Dakota state parks and recreation areas, with a 50% discount on camping and associated electrical-service fees in 2026.
How to apply
Apply digitally using the application linked from GFP's program page and upload eligibility verification.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 41-17-13.4; 41-1-1; 41-1-1.1

Sources (3)

Veteran designation on driver license or state ID

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged U.S. armed forces veterans eligible for a South Dakota license, permit or nondriver ID.
What you get
Adds a veteran designation to the license, permit or nondriver ID.
How to apply
Request the designation at a South Dakota driver license office. Provide a DD214, DD Form 2 (Retired), DD Form 2A (Reserve Retired), NGB22, retired Uniformed Services ID Card, or the prescribed certificate signed by a county veterans service officer.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 32-12-17.15

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

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

State veterans homes

State veterans homes

Location
Hot Springs
Who qualifies
Veterans eligible for VA per diem payments for state-home domiciliary or nursing-home care. Veteran status requires completing the active-duty, Reserve or Guard obligation, or early discharge for medical reasons, hardship, reduction in force or military convenience, with an honorable or under-honorable-conditions separation. Admission preference goes to veterans domiciled in South Dakota within the past five years and members of federally recognized tribes located wholly or partly in the state.
What you get
The Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs provides long-term care and independent living.
How to apply
Apply on the Department of Veterans Affairs admission forms, including military service, financial and medical information.

Official page (opens in a new tab) SDCL 33A-4-25; 33A-4-29; 33A-2-1

Sources (4)

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.