South Dakota State Veteran's Benefits

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:

1. 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;
2. 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

South Dakota currently offers a bonus of up to $500 for current or former eligible members of the Armed Forces who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding their period of active duty and who meet certain criteria during one or more of the following periods:

• August 2, 1990 to March 3, 1991 – All active service counts for payment.
• March 4, 1991 to December 31, 1992 – Only service in a hostile area qualifying for the Southwest Asia Service Medal counts for payment.
• January 1, 1993 to September 10, 2001 – Only service in a hostile area qualifying for any United States campaign or service medal awarded for combat operations against hostile forces counts for payment.
• September 11, 2001 to a date to be determined – [OIF/OEF] All active service counts for payment.

Veterans living outside of South Dakota may obtain an application by email at john.fette@state.sd.us. Please include your branch of the military and dates of service. Veterans may also request an application and instructions by writing SD Veterans Bonus, 500 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501 or by calling 605-773-7251.

Veterans living in South Dakota may apply through the nearest County or Tribal Veterans Service Officer.

Learn more about South Dakota Veterans Bonuses

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Visit the South Dakota Dept. of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Special License Plates
A resident veteran owner of a motor vehicle who has a valid South Dakota driver's license and who signs an affidavit attesting to the fact that he or she is an honorably discharged veteran having served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, may apply for Veteran plates. The fee for the special plates is $10.00 per set, in addition to registration fees. A $5.00 mailing fee required for each set of license plates to be mailed.

No special plate renewal fee is charged, but registration fees apply.

The following plates are available to eligible persons:

• Disabled Veteran Plate
• Prisoner of War Plate
• Pearl Harbor Survivor Plate
• Purple Heart Plate

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:

1. be rated as totally disabled from service connected injuries OR,
2. be in receipt of the VA "K" award OR,
3. have been held as a Prisoner of War OR,
4. be in receipt of Social Security benefits because of a total disability.

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:

1. be totally disabled from service connected disabilities or,
2. be in receipt of the VA "K" award OR,
3. 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.

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.

Visit the South Dakota Dept. of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.