The state of South Dakota offers many veteran benefits for service members and Veterans that have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. These benefits include income and property tax exemptions, financial exemptions, education and training programs, hunting and fishing licenses, vehicle registrations, and assistance with employment. Your residency, military career, and disability status may result in certain differences in what benefits you may be eligible for. The following are benefits for the state of South Dakota.
To be eligible:
Sales Tax:
Statewide: 4.5%
Municipalities: can levy a sales tax of no more than 6.5%
Current average sales tax: 5.57% (seniors and disabled individuals may be eligible for a sales tax refund).
Reduced Fee South Dakota Hunting and Fishing Cards for Disabled Veterans and former Prisoner of War: For a $10 fee, eligible Veterans may receive a hunting and fishing card which is valid for four years. This card is the equivalent of the resident fishing and small game license.
South Dakota 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 or quadriplegic, 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. A legally blind or quadriplegic, legally licensed individual who possesses a disabled hunter permit. Applications are obtained from the Game, Fish and Parks office in Pierre or from a game warden.
Lifetime Free Admission and Reduced Camping Fees at South Dakota State Parks for Resident 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.
Who is eligible for Free Tuition at South Dakota State Supported Schools for Veterans?
To qualify the Veteran must:
Free Tuition at South Dakota State Supported Schools for Children of Veterans Who Die During Military Service:
The Child of a Veteran who suffered death, for any cause, while on active duty may be eligible for free tuition at a state-supported school or any post-secondary technical institute. The deceased Veteran must have been a bonafide resident of South Dakota for at least six months immediately preceding entry into active service.
South Dakota Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children:
It is the purpose of this compact to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:
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South Dakota State Veterans Home at Hot Springs
Eligibility for admission:
By Federal law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-Veterans both in hiring into the Federal civil service and in retention during reduction in force. Veterans may be entitled to 5 or 10 points included in any scoring process for examination or interviews.
South Dakota State Employment Wage Compensation Adjustment during Active-Duty Service:
Any employee of the state of South Dakota who is also member of the South Dakota National Guard or any other Reserve component, is ordered into active duty under Title 10 or Title 32, after January 1, 2002, for other than training purposes, the employee shall receive the difference between their state salary or wage rate and their military salary and allowances from the state for the duration of their service. The difference in pay will be paid on no less than a quarterly basis.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act:
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protect civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of Reserve components. USERRA also makes major improvements in protecting service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive the Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.
Please note that your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with your paperwork and medical records. Eligibility for interment in the State Veterans Cemetery follows National Cemetery Administration eligibility requirements. Veterans and their spouses are eligible for burial.
National Cemeteries include:
South Dakota provides Veterans with a Regional Benefits Office and a VA Medical Center.
South Dakota VA Regional Benefits Office
South Dakota VA Medical Centers
Important information for South Dakota Veteran Benefits:
For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, along with your full name, social security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.
You should always keep your paperwork, along with your medical records, in a safe place where you and your family can have access to them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.
Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.