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South Carolina State Benefits
Veterans Reemployment Rights
The Federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), enacted in October 1994, provides reemployment protection and other benefits for veterans and employees who perform military service. It clarifies the rights and responsibilities of National Guard and Reserve members, as well as their civilian employers. USERRA was significantly updated in 1996 and 1998 and applies almost universally to all employers, regardless of the size of their business.
Contact the US Department of Labor at 866-487-2365, or the US Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) at 800-336-4590.
Credit of State Retirement For Military Service
An employee of the State with two (2) or more years of credited service with the South Carolina Retirement System may also purchase additional credit, up to six years, for military service towards his/her State retirement.
Contact State Retirement Systems at 1-800-868-9002 / 803-737-6800 for a cost analysis.
Admissions Tax Exemption
Provides for the exemption of admissions taxes to athletic contests in which junior American Legion athletic teams are participants unless the proceeds are given to individual players in the form of salary or otherwise.
For more information, call 803-612-1171.
Income Tax Exemption on Retirement Pay
Any person retired from the uniformed services or their surviving spouse, shall be allowed an exemption from the S.C. State Income Tax of $3,000 until age 65. At age 65 $10,000 of retirement pay is exempt.
For more information, call 803-898-8709 or 803-898-5712.
Property Taxes - Homestead Exemption
All persons who have been declared permanently and totally disabled by the Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, other state or federal agencies, are eligible for a homestead exemption in an amount set by the General Assembly. This also applies to persons over age 65.
For more information, contact your county and municipal tax offices.
Free Hunting & Fishing License
Provides for free hunting/fishing license to veterans who are totally disabled. License must be applied for directly from SC Department of Natural Resources showing proof of disability.
For more information, call SCDNR at 803-734-3838.
State Parks Benefit for Totally Disabled Persons
Provides that any South Carolina resident who is a permanently and totally disabled veteran may enter any state park at a reduced rate upon presentation of supporting disability documentation. The veteran may also apply for a reduced fee “Palmetto Passport.” Certain services may require an additional fee. For more information, call South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at 803-734-0156.
Special License Plates
Upon establishing proof of eligibility to entitlement, the S.C. Department of Public Safety, 803-737-4000, may issue special motor vehicle license plates to the following:
- National Guard
- National Guard Retirees
- Purple Heart Recipients
- Disabled Veterans
- U.S. Armed Forces Retirees
- Ex-Prisoners of War
- Medal of Honor Recipients
- Pearl Harbor Survivors
- Normandy Invasion Survivors
- Marine Corps League
Contact the DMV to inquire about more specialty plates.
For more information call 803-896-5000.
Property Tax Exemption
Provides that the dwelling house in which a veteran resides who has been rated as one hundred percent permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an Ex-POW, or a Medal of Honor recipient may be tax exempt. The tax exemption applies to the surviving spouse and may be transferred when purchasing another dwelling.
