North Carolina Veteran Benefits
12 state benefits for veterans in North Carolina.
Property Tax
View all Property Tax in North Carolina →Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exclusion
North Carolina excludes the first $45,000 of the assessed value of a qualifying disabled veteran's permanent residence from property taxation. There is no income limit for this exclusion.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran with a permanent and total (100%) service-connected disability, or who receives VA benefits for specially adapted housing under 38 U.S.C. 2101; certain surviving spouses also qualify.
Estimated value: Exclusion of the first $45,000 of assessed home value from property tax
How to apply: Complete Form NCDVA-9 (certified by a county veterans service officer) and Form AV-9, and file with your county tax office by June 1.
Education
View all Education in North Carolina →Scholarships for Children of Wartime Veterans
North Carolina provides scholarships to the children of certain deceased, disabled, combat, or POW/MIA wartime veterans, covering up to eight academic semesters at approved North Carolina colleges and universities.
Eligibility: Applicant must be under age 25, a North Carolina resident, and the child of a qualifying wartime veteran who was a legal NC resident at time of entry into service; benefit class depends on the veteran's disability, death, or POW/MIA status.
Estimated value: Up to 8 semesters of tuition assistance (award varies by class)
How to apply: Apply through the NC DMVA scholarship program with the help of a county veterans service officer during the annual application window.
In-State Tuition for Veterans
Qualifying veterans and covered individuals may be charged the in-state tuition rate at North Carolina public colleges and universities without meeting the standard 12-month residency requirement.
Eligibility: Veterans using Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) or Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) benefits who have their abode in North Carolina and file a letter of intent to establish residency, and other covered individuals under 38 U.S.C. 3679(c).
Estimated value: In-state tuition rate (substantial savings vs. out-of-state tuition)
How to apply: Submit a letter of intent to establish NC residency and required documentation to the residency/admissions office of your NC public institution.
Employment
View all Employment in North Carolina →Veterans Employment Preference for State Jobs
North Carolina grants an employment preference to eligible veterans and eligible National Guard members in state government hiring, promotions, reassignments, transfers, and reductions in force.
Eligibility: Eligible veterans who served honorably during a period of war (and certain spouses/surviving spouses), and eligible members of the National Guard, applying for positions subject to the State Human Resources Act.
Estimated value: Hiring preference (including added points where numerically scored) for State of North Carolina jobs
How to apply: Claim veterans preference when applying for State of North Carolina positions and submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD-214) as instructed.
Recreation/Hunting & Fishing
View all Recreation/Hunting & Fishing in North Carolina →Disabled Veteran Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License
The NC Wildlife Resources Commission offers deeply discounted lifetime hunting and fishing licenses to resident disabled veterans, valid for life as long as the veteran remains at least 50% disabled.
Eligibility: North Carolina resident who is a 50% or more disabled veteran as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Estimated value: Lifetime license for a reduced one-time fee (roughly $11-$144 depending on license type)
How to apply: Submit the disabled veteran license application by mail or in person with a copy of your VA benefit verification letter showing a 50% or greater rating.
Free State Parks Annual Pass for Veterans with Disabilities
Under State Law 2024-45, veterans with a service-connected disability can receive a free North Carolina State Parks Annual Pass, covering day-use entry at reservoir recreation areas, ferry passes, boat launches, and select paddlecraft rentals.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans who have a certified service-connected disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Estimated value: Free annual pass (regularly a paid State Parks pass)
How to apply: Submit the free annual pass request form each calendar year with a copy of your VA Summary of Benefits letter.
Vehicle/DMV
View all Vehicle/DMV in North Carolina →Disabled Veteran License Plate
The NC Division of Motor Vehicles issues a Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate at no plate fee and no annual registration fee to qualifying 100% disabled veterans, among more than 30 military and veteran specialty plates offered.
Eligibility: Veterans with a combined 100% service-connected disability rating (or individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate); partially disabled veterans qualify for a Partially Disabled Veteran plate at no extra cost over a standard plate.
Estimated value: Waived plate and annual registration fees for qualifying disabled veterans
How to apply: Complete Form MVR-33A, have a NC DMVA veterans service officer certify eligibility, and submit with your DD-214 and VA rating letter to the DMV.
Veteran Designation on Driver License or ID Card
North Carolina veterans can add a 'VETERAN' designation to their driver license or state ID card as convenient proof of prior military service for discounts and identification.
Eligibility: Veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces who can present a DD-214 discharge form.
Estimated value: Free at renewal; $10 for a duplicate license if added at another time
How to apply: Bring your DD-214 to a NC driver license office and request the veteran designation at your next renewal or as a duplicate.
Healthcare
View all Healthcare in North Carolina →North Carolina State Veterans Homes (Skilled Nursing Care)
The NC Department of Military and Veterans Affairs operates state veterans homes providing long-term skilled nursing care, licensed by the state and approved for Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party insurance.
Eligibility: Veterans discharged under honorable conditions who have been NC residents for the two years immediately preceding application and are disabled by age, disease, or other factor, with physician referral.
Estimated value: Subsidized skilled nursing care (VA per diem plus insurance/Medicaid offsets)
How to apply: Contact NC DMVA admissions and submit discharge papers (DD-214), medical records, and a physician-signed FL-2 form.
Financial
View all Financial in North Carolina →Military Retirement Pay State Income Tax Deduction
North Carolina allows a full deduction of military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments from state income tax for tax years beginning 2021, effectively exempting eligible military retirement income.
Eligibility: Retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces who served at least 20 years or were medically retired under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 61, and beneficiaries receiving Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
Estimated value: Full state income tax deduction on qualifying military retirement pay
How to apply: Claim the deduction on Form D-400 Schedule S when filing your North Carolina income tax return, attaching Form 1099-R.
North Carolina State Veterans Cemeteries
North Carolina operates state veterans cemeteries (in Fort Bragg, Black Mountain, Jacksonville, and Goldsboro) offering a free burial plot and interment services for eligible veterans.
Eligibility: Former members of the U.S. Armed Forces whose active-duty service (other than for training) ended under honorable conditions, and certain Reserve/National Guard members entitled to retired pay; eligible spouses and dependents may also be interred (a fee applies for family members).
Estimated value: No charge for the veteran's gravesite, opening/closing, marker, and perpetual care
How to apply: At time of need, the veteran's family or funeral director furnishes the DD-214 and coordinates with the NC Veterans Cemetery Program.
County Veterans Service Officer Assistance
North Carolina's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and its network of county veterans service officers provide free assistance filing VA claims and accessing state and federal benefits.
Eligibility: North Carolina veterans, their dependents, and survivors.
Estimated value: Free benefits counseling and claims assistance
How to apply: Contact your county veterans service office or the NC DMVA Benefits and Claims division to schedule assistance.