South Carolina Veteran Benefits (2026)
What South Carolina offers veterans on top of federal VA benefits — property tax relief, state income-tax treatment of retirement pay, and education programs. Compiled from official state sources.
Property tax exemption
Veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability are fully exempt from property tax on their home and up to five acres of land, plus up to two private passenger vehicles, with no cap on home value and no income test. Qualifying surviving spouses can receive the same exemption. Apply through the SC Department of Revenue's MyDORWAY portal.
Military retirement pay & state income tax
All military retirement pay is fully exempt from South Carolina income tax beginning with the 2022 tax year, with no earned-income cap.
Education benefits
South Carolina's Free Tuition for Children of Certain War Veterans program admits children (age 26 or younger) of qualifying wartime veterans tuition-free to state-supported colleges, universities, and technical schools. Qualifying veterans include those killed in action, who died in service or of service-connected causes, POWs/MIAs, Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients, and those rated permanently and totally disabled; state residency requirements apply, and recent legislation extended eligibility to children who are lifetime South Carolina residents.
Where to apply & verify
- South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs — the official state agency for these programs
- Verified veteran services in South Carolina — directory of local organizations
- South Carolina veteran resources & news
- VA disability pay dates 2026 · 2026 VA disability rates
Latest South Carolina veteran news
DAV names innovative South Carolina company Large Employer of the Year
DAV · Sep 22
South Carolina student named DAV’s top youth volunteer, earns $30K scholarship
DAV · Aug 17
The vital role that the US Army played in the establishment of Juneteenth
We Are The Mighty · Jun 18
Military contractors no longer have ‘immunity’ to lawsuits brought by troops
Task & Purpose · Apr 23
Other states
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About this information: Compiled July 2026 from official state sources and verified references. Benefit rules change through legislation — always confirm details with South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs or a Veteran Service Officer before making decisions. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.