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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.
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FREE HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES
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 * Certain registration fees may apply.
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.
For more information, contact your county and municipal tax offices.
The Department of Revenue can be reached by calling (803) 898-5482.
SPECIALLY
ADAPTED HOUSING
Provides for the exemption of state, county, and municipal taxes
on the residence of veterans who have lost the use of their lower extremities or who have paralysis of one lateral half of
the body resulting from injury to the motor centers of the brain.
For more information, contact your county and municipal tax offices. The Department of Revenue can be reached by calling
(803) 898-5482.
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TAX EXEMPTION FOR
COMPENSATION, PENSION, DISABILITY
RETIREMENT PAY, AND VA PAYMENTS
Provides that federal tax exempt moneys received from pension or compensation
provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or disability pay from the Armed Forces will not be included in SC tax.
For more information, call 1-800-827-1000.
PRESENTATION OF THE STATE
FLAG TO FAMILIES OF DECEASED
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD
Provides that the State Adjutant General’s Office shall present to the family of each deceased
member of the South Carolina National Guard a flag of the State of South Carolina, appropriate for use as a burial flag, upon
application of a member of the family of the deceased.
For more information, call (803) 734-0200.
RECORDING OF DISCHARGES
A certified copy of the recorded discharge may be obtained upon request. Any person desiring a
certified copy of any discharge or certificate of lost discharge, may apply to the County Clerk of Court or the County Veterans
Affairs Officer in which the discharge or certificate of lost discharge is registered and shall be furnished a certified copy.
Fees for furnishing a certified copy of discharge or DD Form 214 may be established by each County, but may not exceed
fifty cents.
PARKING FEE EXEMPTION
Provides for an exemption of municipal parking meter fees when a veteran’s vehicle bears
a disabled veteran (“V” tag), Purple Heart or Medal of Honor license plate.For more information, contact your county and municipal government offices.
MARRIAGE, BIRTH, DEATH AND
DIVORCE VERIFICATION
Provides for the verification of marriage, birth, death, and divorce records without cost when
such is required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the S.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, the County Veterans Affairs
Offices, or any out of state Veterans Affairs entities.For more information, call (803) 734-0200.
STATE VETERANS NURSING HOMES
There are three facilities in South Carolina: the E. Roy Stone Jr., Pavilion, which is located
in Columbia, the Richard Michael Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson, and the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro.
E. Roy Stone Pavilion - Columbia, SC
(803) 737-5441 and (803) 737-5282
Richard M. Campbell Home - Anderson, SC
(864) 261-6734
Veterans Victory House - Walterboro, SC
(843) 538-3000
FREE TUITION/EDUCATION ASSISTANCE
(FREE TUITION FOR CERTAIN
VETERAN'S CHILDREN)
Provides for free tuition to the children of certain war veterans attending
South Carolina state
supported colleges and universities as well as state supported post
high school technical
education institutions. Certain residency requirements apply. For
questions or to apply
contact (803) 255-4255.
ACTIVE DUTY PAY RELEVANT TO THE S.C. DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND TAXATION
Non-resident armed services personnel, who
are legal residents of other States, stationed within South Carolina by virtue of military orders are not subject to South
Carolina income tax on their service pay. They are, however, subject to tax on any other income earned in South Carolina by
spouses of service personnel.
For more information the Department of Revenue can be reached by calling (803) 898-5709 or (803) 898-5712.
SOUTH CAROLINA MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND
The South Carolina Military Family Relief Fund (SCMFRF),
signed into law in 2004 by Governor Mark Sanford, provides monetary grants to families of South Carolina National Guard members
and South Carolina residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty as a result
of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
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