An estimated 349,871 veterans live in South Carolina, making up 8.4% of the state's adult population or the fifth-highest per capita of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
South Carolina Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay is taxable. Reserve or National Guard drill pay is not taxable.
South Carolina Veteran Property Taxes
Permanently and totally disabled veterans may receive a homestead tax deduction amounting to a total exemption from property tax on their homes. This exemption can transfer to a surviving spouse and may also transfer to a new home.
South Carolina Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The state's Army National Guard College Assistance Program (CAP) beneficiaries receive up to $5,500 per academic year when enrolled in a two- or four-year program at an eligible state institution. State Air National Guard CAP recipients may receive up to $11,000 per academic year.
Military Dependent Education
Children of service members killed while in the military or from a service-connected disability, or who were POW or MIA, totally disabled or Congressional Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients, may receive free tuition at a state institution.
South Carolina Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive preference for state and public jobs.
State employees called to, or returning to, active duty may continue with the state's retirement program if they continue to make payments as normal.
State employees may buy credit toward state retirement based on their military time.
Military Spouse Employment
The Family Member Employment Assistance Program (FMEAP) provides military family members with career tools, resources and services.
South Carolina Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
South Carolina's six veterans homes are in Anderson, Columbia, Walterboro, Florence, Gaffney and Sumter. Honorably discharged resident veterans who are in need of skilled or intermediate nursing home care are eligible for admission.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
South Carolina Veteran Financial Assistance
No personal loan or grant programs.
South Carolina Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
South Carolina Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Veterans who are totally disabled receive free hunting and fishing licenses.
State residents home on leave may hunt and fish for free.
Active-duty nonresidents stationed in South Carolina may buy hunting and fishing licenses for the resident rate.
Parks/Camping
Permanently and totally disabled resident veterans may enter state parks at a reduced rate. Certain services may require an additional fee.
South Carolina Veteran Transportation Benefits
No state-funded transportation benefit. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers van rides to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in many states and may be available in the states without a state-funded transportation benefit.
South Carolina Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
South Carolina's M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery is in Anderson. Burial is open to honorably discharged resident veterans and their spouses. There is no charge for the veteran's burial and a small fee for the spouse. Dependent children may be eligible for burial.
More Information
Visit the South Carolina Division of Veterans' Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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