The state of South Dakota provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.
- Veteran Housing Benefits:
- Veteran Financial Assistance Benefits
- Veteran Education Benefits
- Other State Sponsored Veteran Benefits
South Dakota Veteran Housing Programs
State Veterans Homes
To provide a quality living environment, along with adequate medical support, in an independent living and long-term care setting for eligible South Dakota veterans and their spouses, widows, or widowers; and, to provide administration, maintenance, management, medical care, and other services necessary to meet or exceed state and federal requirements.
Learn more about the South Dakota Veterans Home
South Dakota Financial Assistance Programs
Emergency Loan Fund for Veterans and Their Dependents
An interest free loan of up to $500 may be made, to veterans or a veteran’s dependents, if financial relief is required for any emergency need. The amount loaned must be repaid within two years. To qualify, the veteran must meet the definition of a veteran (SDCL 33-17-1 & 33-17-2) and must have been a legal resident of South Dakota at the time of entry into service or for at least one year immediately prior to application.
Learn more about the Emergency Loan Fund
Property Tax Exemption for Veterans and Their Widow or Widower
Dwellings or parts of multiple family dwellings which are specifically designed for use by paraplegics as wheelchair homes and which are owned and occupied by veterans with the loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities, or by the unremarried widow or widower of such veteran, are exempt from taxation.
The dwelling must be owned and occupied by the veteran for one full calendar year before the exemption becomes effective. For purposes of this statute, the term "dwelling" generally means real estate in an amount not to exceed one acre upon which the building is located.
Learn more about Property Tax Exemption
Property Tax Refund for Aged and Disabled Persons
Certain low income property owners are eligible for a property tax refund and should check with their county treasurer for details and assistance in making application. To qualify the following conditions must be met:
- The head of the household must be sixty-five years of age, or older, or shall be disabled prior to January first of the year in which taxes are levied;
- The applicant must have owned the property for at least three years or, have been a resident of this state at least five years if not qualified under the three year ownership criteria.
Learn more about the Property Tax Refund
Sales Tax Refund for Certain Elderly and Disabled Persons
Certain low income persons who are sixty-five, or older, or who are disabled, may qualify for a sales tax refund. Applicants should check with their county treasurer for details and assistance.
Note: No individual may receive both a property tax and sales tax refund in the same year.
Learn more about the Sales Tax Refund
South Dakota Veterans Bonuses
The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers.
Bonuses are available for servicemembers who:
- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.
- are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the armed forces.
- served on active duty during one of the following periods.
South Dakota Education Assistance Programs
Free Tuition for Veterans
Certain veterans are eligible to take undergraduate courses at a state university without the payment of tuition provided they are not eligible for educational payments under the GI Bill or any other federal educational program.
Eligible veterans may receive one month of free tuition for each month of "qualifying service" with a minimum of one, up to a maximum of four, academic years. Qualifying service is defined as: the amount of time served on active duty between the beginning and ending dates of the particular period of conflict or hostilities during which the veteran earned eligibility for this program.
Learn more about Free Tuition for Veterans
Free Tuition for Children of Veterans Who Die During Service
Children who are under the age of 25, are residents of South Dakota, and whose mother or father was killed in action or died of other causes while on active duty, are eligible for free tuition at a state supported school, if the deceased parent was a bona-fide resident of this state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into active service.
SDDVA form E-12 "Application for Free Tuition at State Supported Institutions" is available at the schools’ financial aids, veterans representative or registrars offices or, they can be obtained from the Division of Veterans Affairs.
Learn more about Free Tuition for Children of Veterans
Free Tuition for Dependents of POW’s and MIA’s
Children and spouses of prisoners of war, or of persons listed as missing in action, are entitled to attend a state supported school without the payment of tuition or mandatory fees provided they are not eligible for equal or greater federal benefits.
SDDVA form E-12 "Application for Free Tuition at State Supported Institutions" is available at the schools’ financial aids, veterans representative or registrars offices or, they can be obtained from the Division of Veterans Affairs.
Learn more about Free Tuition for Dependents of POW’s and MIA’s
Reduced Tuition for South Dakota National Guardmembers
Guard members, who meet the requirements for admission, are eligible for a fifty percent reduction in undergraduate tuition charges at any state supported school for up to a maximum of four academic years or one program of study, approved by the state Board of Education, at any state vocational school upon payment of fifty percent of the tuition charges.
The receipt of federal educational benefits does not affect eligibility for this program.
Learn more about Reduced Tuition for National Guardmembers
Other South Dakota State Veteran Benefits
Free Certified Copies of Veterans Records
South Dakota counties may not charge for certified copies of birth, death, marriage, adoption, divorce, guardianship or conservatorship papers when such records are required in support of a claim against any agency of the federal or state government by, or on behalf of, a servicemember or veteran, or the spouse, surviving spouse or dependents of a servicemember or veteran.
Learn more about Free Certified Copies of Veterans Records
Burial Allowance for Veterans, Wives or Widows
A payment of up to $100 may be paid by the state to help defray the burial and funeral expenses of any honorably discharged veteran or the wife, widow or widower of a veteran when the estate, or immediate family, of the deceased is lacking in funds to pay the expenses. The veteran must have been a citizen of the United States for one year preceding entrance into military service or one year preceding the death. This payment CANNOT be made to another unit of government. The surviving spouse, or relatives, must furnish an affidavit to the C/TVSO that sufficient funds are not available for payment of the expenses.
Learn more about Burial Allowance for Veterans
Headstone Setting Fee
The state will pay $40 towards the cost of setting a government headstone or marker at the grave of a veteran who was a resident of this state for one year preceding entrance into the military service or one year preceding death.
Learn more about the Headstone Setting Fee
Special License Plates
Under South Dakota law, veterans who wish to display any of the following distinctive plates on their vehicles, must also keep a set of regular numbered plates on or in the vehicle at all times. Application forms may be obtained at the local County Treasurer’s office. Immediately upon the death of the veteran, the distinctive plates must be returned to the county treasurer of the county where the veteran lived. The following plates are available to eligible persons:
- Disabled Veteran Plate
- Prisoner of War Plate
- Pearl Harbor Survivor Plate
- Purple Heart Plate
Learn more about Special License Plates
Hunting and Fishing Cards for Disabled Veterans
Certain resident veterans may receive a hunting and fishing card which is valid for four years. Upon purchase of an annual basic game and fish license, the card becomes the equivalency of a resident fishing license, small game stamp and habitat stamp until the expiration of the basic game and fish license. To qualify the veteran must:
- be rated as totally disabled from service connected injuries OR,
- be in receipt of the VA "K" award OR,
- have been held as a Prisoner of War OR,
- be in receipt of Social Security benefits because of a total disability.
Learn more about Hunting and Fishing Cards for Disabled Veterans
Free Admission and Reduced Camping Fees for Veterans
Certain resident veterans may obtain free admission to any South Dakota state park and are eligible for a fifty percent discount on any camping fee or associated electrical fee. To qualify the veteran must:
- be totally disabled from service connected disabilities or,
- be in receipt of the VA "K" award OR,
- have been held as a Prisoner of War.
Application forms may be obtained from the local park manager or through the Game, Fish and Parks office in Pierre.
Learn more about Free Admission and Reduced Camping Fees
Special Provisions for Handicapped Hunters
Individuals who are missing an upper limb, or are physically incapable of using an upper limb or who are confined to a wheelchair may use a crossbow to take game birds and animals once they have obtained a disabled hunter permit.
A legally blind, legally licensed individual who possesses a disabled hunter permit and who is physically present and participating in the hunt may claim game birds and animals taken by a designated hunter in accordance with the license or licenses possessed by the handicapped hunter.
Applications are obtained from the Game, Fish and Parks office in Pierre or from a game warden.
Learn more about Special Provisions for Handicapped Hunters
