South Carolina Veteran Benefits

South Carolina does not tax military retired pay.

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

Surviving spouses are not required to pay South Carolina income taxes on SBP, RCSBP, RSFPP annuities.

Veterans who were former POWs, or Medal of Honor recipients qualify for the following tax exemptions:

Income received by National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserve service members for annual training, weekend drills, and other inactive duty training is generally exempt from South Carolina Income Tax.

SCNG CAP will pay 100% of college tuition and fees at state supported institutions up to $ 12,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $2 5 ,000 for eligible South Carolina National Guard Service members.

South Carolina provides a tuition waiver to the children of certain war Veterans attending South Carolina state supported colleges and universities, or post high school technical education institutions.

Veterans, active and reserve component service members and dependents are authorized in-state tuition and fee rates regardless of how long they have lived in South Carolina.

South Carolina's Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) administers the UI program that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

South Carolina National Guard Service members who are injured, become ill, become disabled or die in the line of duty are eligible for benefits and compensation under South Carolina Workers' Compensation Laws .

SCMFRF provides monetary grants to famil ies of South Carolina National Guard Service members and South Carolina residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves who were called to active duty.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) offers free Disability Combination licenses and Disability Fishing licenses to disabled Veterans. These licenses are good for three years.

Service members and their dependents living in, or stationed at a duty station in South Carolina for 30 days or longer are eligible for resident hunting and fishing privileges. Valid military ID must be presented when applying.

State employees receive 15 workdays of paid military leave for training.

South Carolina offers a Veterans hiring preference when hiring for state employment by requiring at least one qualified Veteran to be interviewed for every full time equivalent position.

An active member of the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) may purchase up to six years of service credit for any period of service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

South Carolina Operation Palmetto Employmentis a statewide initiative supported by the South Carolina National Guard, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, and other business and state agency partners.

SC WORKS Centers across South Carolina have staff who are specifically trained to assist service member and Veteran jobseekers find civilian employment.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spous es, surv iving spous es, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spous e (including surv iving spous e) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service member s is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members, and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

South Carolina has six state Veterans nursing homes for Veterans who require skilled or intermediate nursing care.

The South Carolina Veterans Treatment Court program is designed to help Veterans who have pending charges in Richland or Kershaw counties.

The SC-VALOR Program is a collaboration between the Attorney General's Office, the South Carolina Bar, and the South Carolina Military Department that coordinates existing legal resources forservice members and Veterans.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains four national cemeteries in South Carolina. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) offers a "Veteran" designation on driver's licenses, ID cards and beginner's permits for eligible Veterans.

The driver's license of service members and their dependents who are stationed outside South Carolina remains valid until 90 days after their discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.

Active duty service members and their dependents who are stationed outside of South Carolina may renew their driver's license online or by mail.

The South Carolina Gold Star Family license plate is available for the immediate family members of U.S. Armed Forces service members who die while serving in a combat zone.

The skills test waiver option is available for service members who have military commercial driving training and experience but do not have the MOS/Ratings for the Even Exchange waiver.

SCNG Veteran Advisors assist Veterans, service members and family members regarding all benefits and entitlements they are eligible for. Veteran Advisors coordinate with regional partners to maximize local resources and minimize delays in services.

The South Carolina Adjutant General's Office will present a state flag to the famil y of a deceased South Carolina National Guard S ervice member .

South Carolina County Clerks will record official military discharge documents free of charge and will provide certified copies for no more than 50 cents. South Carolina Clerks of Court Directory

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will issue certified copies of marriage, birth, death, and divorce records free when they are required for applying for Veterans benefits. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Vital Records Webpage

The M.J. "Dolly" Cooper VeteransCemetery, near Anderson South Carolina, offers a dignified final resting place for South Carolina Veterans, their spouses and children.

The Palmetto Pathfinder Program is a peer-support program made up of Veteran volunteers who provide personal support for service members leaving the U.S. Armed Forces and Veterans.

The South Carolina SMFC Directorate unifies Service member and family care systems to better support South Carolina National Guard Service members and their families.

The South Carolina Veteran Coalition offers Veterans, service members, and their families a platform that connects them to vetted services across the state. Services range from housing, employment, education, mental health, benefits navigation and family support.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in South Carolina enter South Carolina in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link be