South Carolina Veteran Benefits

South Carolina offers 12 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 4 tax programs, 2 education programs, 0 housing programs, 1 healthcare program, 2 recreation programs, and 1 employment program. 8 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 3 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

South Carolina offers 3 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption, Disabled Veteran Vehicle Tax Exemption, Discounted Park Passport (State Parks). These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled South Carolina veterans also qualify for the 9 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 12 total.

Yes. South Carolina offers 4 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay Tax Exemption: 100% exemption of military retirement pay from South Carolina state income tax with no age restriction or income cap. Estimated value: Up to 6% savings on retirement pay. Whether South Carolina also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.

South Carolina offers 2 state education benefits: In-State Tuition for Veterans and Dependents; Free Tuition for Children of Certain Veterans. Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.

South Carolina's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Veteran and Disabled Veteran License Plates. Multiple military plate designs available; DV/Purple Heart/Medal of Honor plates issued after May 6, 2022 are exempt from municipal parking meter fees (older plates not exempt). Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — South Carolina offers 2 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Free Hunting and Fishing License (Disabled Veterans); Discounted Park Passport (State Parks). Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require South Carolina residency.

Each South Carolina state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of South Carolina residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.

Yes. South Carolina state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A South Carolina veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any South Carolina state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.

Yes. M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery Burial. Free burial for eligible veterans at state veterans cemetery in Anderson, SC including plot, liner, marker, and perpetual care. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and South Carolina residency; some sites accept any veteran meeting federal VA national cemetery criteria. This is in addition to (not a substitute for) burial at a federal VA National Cemetery.

South Carolina benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 8 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 1 are gated at 10-40%. 0 are gated at 50-90%. 3 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 12 South Carolina state benefits.