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South Dakota — Veteran Benefits

Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.

At a Glance — What Unlocks by Status / Rating

Veteran benefits unlocked at each service status and disability rating in South Dakota
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
**Active Duty** No SD income tax; in-state tuition at Board of Regents schools; resident hunting/fishing rates if stationed out-of-state; CDL skills-test waiver; military leave protections; free vital records for benefits claims
**Guard / Reserve** 100% NG tuition reduction up to 128 undergraduate + 32 graduate credits (SDCL 33-6-5); ROTC 50% tuition; CDL skills-test waiver; resident hunting/fishing rates; employment protections and leave
**Military Retiree** No SD income tax on retirement pay; veteran DL designation; veteran plate options; free vital records; absolute veterans hiring preference
**Veteran (honorable, no rating)** Free tuition up to 4 years at state schools if not GI-Bill-eligible (SDCL 13-55-2); Helping Heroes Grant $1,000 (GWOT/Iraq Medal + 12 hrs); $500 bonus (qualifying periods); veteran DL designation; veteran plate; free vital records; absolute hiring preference; burial allowance + headstone reimbursement
**0% SC** Same as veteran no-rating tier; no additional state threshold unlocked at 0%
**10–20%** Free tuition per SDCL 13-55-2 (10%+ rating satisfies the disability eligibility path); all Tier 4 benefits
**30–40%** Same as 10–20% tier; no additional SD state threshold unlocked at 30–40%
**50–60%** Same as 10–20% tier; no additional SD state threshold at this rating
**70–90%** Same as 10–20% tier; no additional SD state threshold at this rating
**100% Schedular** $200,000 property tax exemption (SDCL 10-4-40); vehicle excise tax exemption on one vehicle (SDCL 32-5B-2); free lifetime state park entrance pass + 50% camping discount; Disabled Veteran plate ($10/yr, no registration fee); $10 four-year combination hunt/fish license
**TDIU** TDIU = permanently and totally disabled under SD law; same as 100% tier for property tax exemption (SDCL 10-4-40); all 100% benefits
**P&T** Full P&T unlocks all 100% schedular benefits; $200,000 property tax exemption; Disabled Veteran plate; free lifetime park pass; 50% camping discount
**SMC (Housebound/A&A)** K-Award (SMC-K) is an independent eligibility path for: Disabled Veteran plate, $10 four-year hunt/fish license, and free lifetime park pass; paraplegic/loss-of-limb K-Award (SDCL 10-4-24.10) → full property tax exemption; SB 12 (2026) adds four-year retroactive refund window for paraplegic veterans who missed application deadlines
**Surviving spouse / dependents** $150,000 surviving-spouse property tax exemption (SDCL 10-4-41); DIC recipients qualify; free tuition for children under 25 of active-duty deceased (SDCL 13-55-6 to 9); POW/MIA spouse and children free tuition (SDCL 13-55-9.2); NG duty death/disability free tuition for spouse and child under 25; Gold Star plate; state burial allowance; free vital records

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

Veteran with loss or loss of use of both lower extremities (or the unremarried surviving spouse) who owns and occupies a home specifically designed for wheelchair use. Veteran must have owned and occupied the property for at least one full calendar year before the exemption takes effect.

Authority: SDCL 10-4-24.10; SB 12 (2026).

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

South Dakota does not assess a separate annual vehicle property tax. Vehicles are subject to registration fees; see Category 10 for the Disabled Veteran plate fee structure.

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

Veteran with a 100% service-connected permanent disability rating.

Authority: SDCL 32-5B-2.

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

Not available in this jurisdiction.

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

Not available in this jurisdiction.

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

Not available in this jurisdiction.

7. State Income Tax — General

Not available in this jurisdiction.

8. Sales Tax Exemption

South Dakota does not issue a general veteran sales tax exemption card. The state has a 4.5% general sales tax with no blanket veteran exemption. Adaptive equipment for disabled veterans (wheelchairs, mobility aids) may qualify under existing disability-related medical-equipment exemptions. Contact the SD Department of Revenue for specific durable medical equipment exemptions.

9. Other State Tax Breaks

**Free Certified Vital Records for Benefits Claims:** Under SDCL 34-25-54, counties must provide certified copies of birth, death, marriage, adoption, divorce, guardianship, or conservatorship records at no charge when needed to support a federal or state government benefits claim by or on behalf of a servicemember, veteran, spouse, surviving spouse, or dependent. Also available free to the SD Dept. of Military/Veterans Affairs, county VSOs, and accredited VSO representatives with power of attorney.

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

Resident veteran who is any of the following: - VA K-Award (Special Monthly Compensation) recipient - Recipient of an automobile adaptation grant under Public Law 187 - Recipient of a statutory benefit for loss or loss of use of one or more extremities - Recipient of a veterans allotment for total service-connected disability incurred during active duty in a time of war or armed conflict mission

Authority: SDCL 32-5-90.

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

Covered under Category 10. Key point: the DV plate carries a $10 annual fee with no vehicle registration fee — making the actual annual savings equal to the standard registration cost for that vehicle class. The DV plate does not automatically confer ISA (wheelchair) disabled-parking privileges; see Category 15 for that process.

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

All specialty plates below carry a $10 annual plate fee (no registration fee) unless noted, plus $7.50 mailing fee at issuance. Form: MV-4000 for most.

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

South Dakota has no toll roads or toll facilities. No veteran toll exemption program exists or is needed.

14. Public Transit Discount

No statewide veteran transit benefit or fare reduction program identified. Some county VSOs coordinate DAV van transportation to VA medical centers, which is a federal DAV program, not a state benefit. Contact your local county VSO for transportation assistance.

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

Any person with a qualifying physical disability limiting walking, as certified by a licensed physician. Qualifying conditions include: inability to walk 200 feet without rest; requirement for assistive devices; severe lung disease; portable oxygen use; Class III/IV cardiac condition; severe arthritis, neurological, or orthopedic walking limitations.

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

Honorably discharged veteran.

Authority: SDCL 32-12-45.

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

Active duty, veteran (within 1 year of separation), or reserve/Guard member who licensed and operated a military vehicle similar to the intended civilian CDL class for at least 2 years (active duty) or 4 years (reserve/Guard).

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

Covered under Category 16. The veteran designation is printed on the front of the SD DL or ID card at no extra charge; the standard renewal or duplicate fee applies.

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

SD resident veteran who meets any of these: - VA K-Award (SMC-K) recipient - 40%+ VA service-connected disability rating - 40%+ Social Security disability with qualifying military service (active or reserve/Guard) - Former POW verified by discharge papers
Verify locally: **Action:** Mail completed "Disabled Veteran and POW Application for Reduced Fee Hunting and Fishing License" + verification documents + $10 check to: SD Game, Fish and Parks, 20641 SD Hwy 1806, Ft. Contact GFP directly to confirm whether a free tier exists for 100% ratings above and beyond the $10 program.

Authority: SDCL 41-6-10.2; SDCL 41-17-13.4.

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

Covered by the same $10 four-year combination license as Category 19. Same eligibility, same application.

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

South Dakota is landlocked. No saltwater fishing exists.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

The $10 four-year reduced-fee license is itself a combination hunting and fishing license covering both freshwater fishing and all legal hunting seasons. This IS the combo license. See Category 19 for full details.

23. Trapping License

**Unavailable (confirmed)** — SD GFP's reduced-fee veteran program (SDCL 41-6-10.2) covers hunting and fishing licenses. Trapping licenses are not included. No confirmed separate program found. Contact SD GFP (WildInfo@state.sd.us) to verify.
Verify locally: **Unavailable (confirmed)** — SD GFP's reduced-fee veteran program (SDCL 41-6-10. No confirmed separate program found. us) to verify.

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

SD resident veteran who is: - Rated 100% total service-connected disability by the VA, OR - VA K-Award (SMC-K) recipient, OR - Verified POW, OR - Purple Heart recipient
Verify locally: Email confirmation serves as temporary license.

Authority: SDCL 41-17-13.4.

25. State Parks — Camping

Same as Category 24 (100% SC, K-Award, POW, Purple Heart).

Authority: SDCL 41-17-13.4.

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

The Disabled Veteran Lifetime Park Entrance License (Categories 24–25) is the lifetime pass. It is permanent once issued; no annual renewal required.

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No veteran-specific boat registration fee waiver or exemption identified in SD law or GFP policy. Standard boat registration fees apply. Contact SD DOR Boat Registration (dor.sd.gov) for any updates.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

Nonresident servicemembers stationed in SD, their spouses, and dependents, as well as veterans and their dependents who were SD residents at time of entry into service, may qualify for in-state tuition at SD Board of Regents institutions under federal Choice Act provisions.

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

SD resident veteran who: 1. Holds an honorable discharge 2. Qualifies for in-state tuition 3. Meets the statutory veteran definition (SDCL 33A-2) 4. Meets one of: served on active duty during a qualifying wartime/operational period AND received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or other campaign/service medal for combat operations outside the U.S., OR holds a 10%+ VA service-connected disability rating 5. Is NOT eligible for GI Bill or other federal educational assistance covering the same costs

30. Dependent Education Benefit

Child under age 25, SD resident, whose parent was killed in action or died on active duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Deceased parent must have been an SD resident for at least 6 months before entry into service.

Authority: SDCL 13-55-6 through 13-55-9.

31. Spouse Education Benefit

**Free Tuition — Spouse of Deceased or Disabled National Guard Member:**

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

Current SD Army or Air National Guard member who: is established in a SD Guard unit; has completed required active duty/basic training; maintains membership throughout the semester; attends 90%+ of required drills; maintains satisfactory academic standing.

33. K-12 Support

**Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3):** SD is a member. Military children transferring schools receive enrollment based on unofficial records, placement in courses aligned with prior school, and graduation flexibility. All SD public schools are bound.

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

No SD state veteran education loan program identified beyond the grant and tuition waiver programs above.

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

Honorably discharged U.S. citizen who served under qualifying conditions (SDCL 33A-2).

Authority: SDCL 3-3-1 and SDCL 33A-2.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**Military CDL Skills Test Waiver:** See Category 17.

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

Spouse of an active duty military member on orders to SD who left employment to accompany the servicemember, whose prior-state license requirements are substantially equivalent to SD requirements.

Authority: SDCL 36-1B-1.

38. Business License Fee Break

South Dakota does not have a state-level general business license, so there is no business license fee to waive. Municipal or county business licenses may apply; no confirmed veteran-specific waiver program for local business licenses. Check with your local municipality.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**Military Service Credit toward State Retirement:**

Authority: USERRA + SDCL 3-12 series.

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

**South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA):**
Verify locally: **Program highlights (verify current limits with SDHDA):** - Purchase price limit: approximately $413,000 (as of 2026; varies by program and area) - Down payment and closing cost assistance: 3% or 5% of loan amount - Income limits: vary by county and household size (approximately $102,480 for households of 1–2 in many areas; $119,560 for 3+ members — confirm current limits with SDHDA) - Minimum credit score: 620 **Contact:** SDHDA, 605-773-3181 or sdhousing.

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

Must have been an SD legal resident for at least 6 months immediately before active duty. Qualifying service periods and amounts:

Authority: SDCL 33A-2.

42. State Veteran Bonus

Covered fully under Category 41. The SD Veterans Bonus Program (up to $500) is the primary state bonus.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

No state-specific adapted housing supplement beyond federal VA SAH/SHA grants. SDDVA can assist veterans in accessing federal Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grants. Contact SDDVA for referral.

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

**Unavailable (veteran-specific state program)** — No SD state program provides veteran-specific utility or heating assistance. Veterans meeting income requirements may access:

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

- Veterans as defined by SDCL 33A-2-1 with honorable discharge and eligibility for VA per diem for domiciliary or nursing home care in a state home - Spouses (married to veteran for 1+ year) and unremarried surviving spouses (age 60+, married 1+ year) - Preference for veterans domiciled in SD within the past 5 years - Additional preference for members of federally recognized SD tribal nations
Verify locally: **Eligibility:** - Veterans as defined by SDCL 33A-2-1 with honorable discharge and eligibility for VA per diem for domiciliary or nursing home care in a state home - Spouses (married to veteran for 1+ year) and unremarried surviving spouses (age 60+, married 1+ year) - Preference for veterans domiciled in SD within the past 5 years - Additional preference for members of federally recognized SD tribal nations **Costs (verify current rates at time of admission — fees subject to change):** | Level of care | Daily rate (approximate, as of 2026) | |---|---| | Assisted living | $203.

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**Unavailable (state-specific funded program)** — No SD state-funded veteran-specific mental health or PTSD treatment program identified. SD veterans access:

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

**Unavailable (state-specific funded program)** — No SD state-funded dental, vision, or health insurance program exclusively for veterans. Veterans with 100% SC disability or TDIU qualify for comprehensive federal VA dental care. VA covers optometry and eyeglasses for enrolled veterans with an established VA healthcare relationship. Enrollment in VA healthcare (no cost for most veterans) is the primary access point; SD has no state supplement.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

**Unavailable (state supplement)** — The Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans Home (Category 45) is the state's primary long-term care resource for veterans. No separate state supplement to federal VA Aid and Attendance payments was identified. Federal VA Aid and Attendance Pension benefits apply for qualifying low-income veterans needing daily living assistance. SDDVA can assist with claims and referrals.

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

Veterans and servicemembers charged with qualifying offenses with underlying service-related conditions. **Action:** Contact the SD Unified Judicial System (ujs.sd.gov) or a defense attorney for referral.

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

**Constitutional Carry:** South Dakota is a constitutional carry state. No permit is required to carry a concealed pistol for any law-qualifying person.

Authority: SB 212 (2022); SDCL 23-7.

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

**Free Certified Vital Records for Benefits Claims (SDCL 34-25-54):**
Verify locally: **Notary Fee Waiver:** No confirmed veteran-specific notary fee waiver program identified.

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**DD-214 Free Recording:** Counties record DD-214s at no charge. Contact the county register of deeds.

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

**$150,000 Partial Exemption (SDCL 10-4-41):**

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

**Spouse of NG Member Killed or Totally Disabled on Duty:** Free tuition at SD state institutions. See Category 30.

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

- **Property Tax:** DIC-receiving surviving spouse qualifies for $150,000 property tax exemption (SDCL 10-4-41). See Category 53. - **Education:** Children under 25 of deceased active-duty service mem

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

- Veterans with honorable discharge and qualifying military service (DD-214 required) - Spouses and eligible dependents of qualifying veterans

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

Honorably discharged veteran (or their spouse/widow/widower) where the estate or immediate family lacks sufficient funds for burial. Veteran must have been a U.S. citizen and SD resident for at least 1 year before entry into military service OR 1 year before death.

Authority: SDCL 33A-5-2 and 33A-5-3.

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

Veteran who was an SD resident for at least 1 year before entry into military service OR 1 year before death.

Authority: SDCL 33A-5-4.