North Carolina provides valuable financial benefits to veterans and their families, helping to ease the cost of living and honor their service.
Income Tax Exemption
- Military Retirement Pay: North Carolina does not tax military retirement pay, making it an attractive state for retired service members.
- Survivor Benefits: Certain survivor benefit plan (SBP) payments may also qualify for state tax exemptions.
đź”— Learn more: NC Income Tax Exemption for Military Retirees
Property Tax Relief
- 100% Disabled Veterans Exclusion:
- Veterans who have a 100% permanent and total (P&T) disability rating from the VA can receive a property tax exclusion of up to $45,000
on their primary residence. - This significantly reduces property tax burdens for eligible veterans.
- Surviving Spouses:
- Surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans who receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) may also be eligible for
this tax relief.
đź”— Apply or check eligibility: NC Property Tax Relief for Veterans
Vehicle Highway Tax Exemption
- Veterans who received a vehicle grant from the VA due to a service-connected disability are exempt from paying North Carolina’s highway use tax when purchasing a specially adapted vehicle.
- This exemption helps reduce the cost of vehicle ownership for disabled veterans.
đź”— Find details here: NC DMV Military & Veteran Benefits
North Carolina provides several education benefits to help veterans, their dependents, and National Guard members pursue higher education.
Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans
- Benefit Details:
- Covers up to 8 semesters of undergraduate education at North Carolina public and private institutions.
- Includes tuition, fees, and in some cases, room and board allowances.
- Eligibility:
- Available to children of wartime veterans who were either killed, disabled, or declared missing in action.
- Applicant must be under 25 years old and a North Carolina resident.
- How to Apply:
- Applications must be submitted online by February 14 each year.
đź”— Learn more & apply: Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans
In-State Tuition for Veterans & Dependents
- Benefit Details:
- Veterans and their dependents using VA education benefits (such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Montgomery GI Bill®) are immediately eligible for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities in North Carolina.
- Residency requirements are waived for eligible veterans and dependents.
- Eligibility:
- Veteran or dependent must enroll within three years of the service member’s separation from active duty.
- The benefit applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs at state institutions.
- How to Apply:
- Veterans or dependents should provide a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA to their school’s financial aid or admissions office.
đź”— Find details here: NC In-State Tuition for Veterans & Dependents
North Carolina is dedicated to supporting veterans in their transition to civilian
careers by offering various employment assistance programs.
Veteran Hiring Preference
- Benefit Details:
- North Carolina state government jobs provide hiring preference to veterans and disabled veterans.
- Eligible veterans receive priority consideration during the hiring process for state employment opportunities.
- Eligibility:
- Honorably discharged veterans who have served during a period of war or conflict.
- Disabled veterans with a service-connected disability.
- How to Apply:
- When applying for state jobs, veterans should indicate their status and provide the necessary documentation to receive preference.
đź”— Learn more: Veterans & National Guard Preference Policy
NCWorks Veterans Services
- Benefit Details:
- NCWorks offers comprehensive services to assist veterans in finding suitable employment, including:
- Career assessments to identify skills and interests.
- Labor market information to understand current job trends.
- Access to training opportunities, job fairs, and workshops.
- Assistance with resume writing and interview preparation.
- Eligibility:
- Services are available to veterans, transitioning service members, and eligible
spouses. - How to Access:
- Visit a local NCWorks Career Center or access services online through the NCWorks Veterans Portal.
đź”— Learn more: NCWorks Veterans Portal
Small Business Support
- Benefit Details:
- For veterans interested in entrepreneurship, North Carolina provides resources through the Small Business Center Network (SBCN), which offers:
- Free confidential business counseling.
- Seminars and workshops on various business topics.
- Access to resource libraries and business plan development assistance.
- Eligibility:
- Services are available to prospective and existing small business owners, including veterans.
- How to Access:
- Locate and contact the Small Business Center at your nearest community college.
đź”— Learn more: Small Business Center Network
North Carolina honors its veterans by offering various recreational benefits, including discounted licenses, free park access, and specialized license plates.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
- Benefit Details:
- Veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible for discounted lifetime hunting and fishing licenses.
- Available licenses include:
- Lifetime Disabled Veteran Inland Fishing License
- Lifetime Disabled Veteran Coastal Recreational Fishing License
- Lifetime Disabled Veteran Combination Hunting and Inland Fishing License
- Lifetime Disabled Veteran Sportsman License
- Lifetime Disabled Veteran Unified Sportsman /Coastal Recreational Fishing License
- Eligibility:
- North Carolina residents who are veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability.
- How to Apply:
- Complete the appropriate application form and submit it along with certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Applications can be submitted online through the Go Outdoors North Carolina portal or mailed to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
đź”— Learn more & apply: NC Wildlife Resources Commission: Disabled Licenses
State Park Access
- Benefit Details:
- As of September 2024, veterans with service-related disabilities are eligible to receive a free Annual Pass to North Carolina State Parks.
- The Annual Pass provides access to various amenities within the state parks.
- Eligibility:
- Veterans who were honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability.
- How to Apply:
- Submit a request form along with a copy of your Summary of Benefits Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Caregivers can request a pass on behalf of an eligible veteran if they provide the necessary documentation.
đź”— Learn more & apply: NC State Parks: Free Annual Pass for Veterans with Disabilities
Military & Veteran License Plates
- Benefit Details:
- The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles offers specialty license plates recognizing military service, available at a reduced fee.
- Available plates include:
- Disabled Veteran Plate
- Ex-Prisoner of War Plate
- Purple Heart Recipient Plate
- Bronze Star Recipient Plate
- Silver Star Recipient Plate
- Medal of Honor Recipient Plate
- And others honoring various branches and honors
- Eligibility:
- Eligibility varies by plate type but generally requires proof of military service or decoration.
- How to Apply:
- Complete the appropriate application form and provide the required documentation.
- Applications can be submitted through local DMV offices.
đź”— Learn more & apply: Military and Veteran License Plates
North Carolina is committed to providing comprehensive
health and long-term care benefits to its veterans.
State Veterans Homes
North Carolina operates several State Veterans Homes offering skilled nursing care to eligible veterans. These facilities are designed to provide high-quality care and improve the quality of life for veterans.
Locations:
- Kinston State Veterans Home
- Address: 2150 Hull Road, Kinston, NC 28504
- Capacity: 100 beds
- Services: Private rooms, 24-hour nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, pain management, full-time dietitian, activity programming, hospice care, counseling services, and
more. - Contact: Admissions Coordinator at (252) 939-8001
- Other
Locations: - Black
Mountain State Veterans Home - Address: 62 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711
- Capacity: 100 beds
- Contact: Admissions Coordinator at (828) 257-6801
- Salisbury State Veterans Home
- Address: 601 Brenner Ave., Building #10, Salisbury, NC 28144
- Capacity: 99 beds
- Contact: Admissions Coordinator at (704) 639-2320
For more detailed information, including virtual tours and specific services offered at each facility, please visit the official page: NC State Veterans Homes - Skilled Nursing Care
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line provides immediate assistance for
veterans in need of mental health support.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: Dial 988, then press 1
- Text: Send a text message to 838255
- Chat: Access online chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net
This service is confidential, available 24/7, and connects veterans with qualified responders, many of whom are veterans themselves.
NC4Vets Resource Guide
The NC4Vets Resource Guide is a comprehensive directory designed to assist veterans in accessing healthcare and mental health services across North Carolina.
Features:
- Information on federal and state benefits
- Listings of medical facilities
- Details on employment resources
- Guidance on housing assistance
The guide is available for download in PDF format: NC4Vets Resource Guide
These resources are dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of North Carolina's veterans, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they deserve.
North Carolina offers various housing assistance programs to support veterans in securing stable and affordable housing.
Veterans Home Loan Benefits
- VA-Backed Home Loans (Nationwide Program):
- Benefit Details:
- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides VA-backed home loans to help veterans, service members, and eligible surviving spouses purchase, build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for personal occupancy.
- Advantages of VA Loans:
- No down payment required, provided the sales price does not exceed the appraised value.
- Competitive interest rates.
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement.
- Limited closing costs.
- Assistance available if you encounter difficulty making payments.
- Eligibility:
- Veterans, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses who meet specific service requirements.
- How to Apply:
- Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through the VA.
- Apply for the loan through a private lender that participates in the VA home loan program.
đź”— Learn more & apply: VA Housing Assistance
- North Carolina State Housing Programs:
- Benefit Details:
- The North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) offers housing assistance programs to help veterans find and maintain stable housing within the state.
- Services include assistance with home loans, rental support, and housing counseling.
- Eligibility:
- Varies by program; generally available to veterans residing in North Carolina.
- How to Apply:
- Contact the DMVA or visit their website for specific program details and application procedures.
đź”— Learn more: NC DMVA Housing Assistance
Homeless Veterans Assistance
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF):
- Benefit Details:
- The SSVF program provides case management and supportive services to prevent homelessness among low-income veteran families and to rapidly re-house those who are homeless.
- Services may include assistance with housing counseling, temporary financial assistance, and help in obtaining VA and other benefits.
- Eligibility:
- Veterans with very low income who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- How to Apply:
- Contact a local SSVF provider or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838.
đź”— Learn more: VA Homeless Programs
- HUD-VASH Program:
- Benefit Details:
- A collaborative program between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA, combining HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help homeless veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing.
- Eligibility:
- Homeless veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and require case management support to obtain and sustain permanent housing.
- How to Apply:
- Referrals are typically made through the local VA medical center’s homeless program.
đź”— Learn more: VA Homeless Programs - HUD-VASH
These programs aim to provide veterans with the necessary resources to secure and maintain stable housing, acknowledging their service and supporting their transition to civilian life.