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North Carolina Veteran benefits

20 benefits from North Carolina for Veterans and their families, on top of what VA gives. Many need no disability rating.

Each one says who qualifies, how to apply, the official link, and the date we last checked it. Rules change, so the official page has the final word.

Free help in North Carolina

North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 844-624-8387 State agency website

A Veterans service officer (VSO) helps with VA claims and state benefits for free.

Find a service officer near you North Carolina's list of local offices
Your VA disability rating
Who is it for?

20 benefits

Property tax

  • Certain disabilities

    Disabled Veteran Adapted Motor Vehicle Property Tax Exclusion

    A motor vehicle owned by a disabled veteran that has been altered with special equipment to accommodate a service-connected disability is excluded from North Carolina property tax.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Certain serious disabilities (see who qualifies). The owner must be a disabled veteran who qualifies for VA's special car equipment for a service-connected disability (the VA auto grant).
    Qualifies for VA's special car equipment for a service-connected disability (the VA auto grant)
    How to apply
    Submit a property tax exemption application for the vehicle to the county tax office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: 38 U.S.C. 101(2); 38 U.S.C. 3901.

  • 100% P&T

    Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exclusion

    North Carolina excludes the first $45,000 of the appraised value of a permanent residence from local property tax for a qualifying disabled veteran or unremarried surviving spouse.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating that is Permanent and Total (P&T). Veteran must have an honorable or under-honorable-conditions discharge and either got a VA Specially Adapted Housing grant or be certified 100% permanent and total service-connected. Unremarried surviving spouses also qualify.
    How to apply
    File Form NCDVA-9 (certified by a DMVA Veterans Service Officer) with Form AV-9 at the county tax office; must be accepted if filed by June 1 preceding the tax year.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026. Law: 38 U.S.C. 2101.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    North Carolina Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Disabled Veterans

    The unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran or of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition may receive a property tax exemption on their home. The first $45,000 of the appraised value of the permanent residence is exempt from North Carolina property taxes, with no income limit.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Unremarried surviving spouse of: a veteran with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, or a veteran who died as a result of a service-connected condition. The veteran must have been honorably discharged.
    How to apply
    Applicants must complete Form NCDVA-9 (Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans) and have it certified by a North Carolina Veterans Service Officer, then submit to the county assessor.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Military Retirement Pay and SBP Income Tax Deduction

    North Carolina allows eligible retired members of the Armed Forces and Survivor Benefit Plan beneficiaries to deduct military retirement pay from state taxable income.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applies to retirees with at least 20 years in the uniformed services or who were medically retired, and to eligible Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) beneficiaries. The deduction is limited to amounts included in federal adjusted gross income.
    How to apply
    Claim the deduction on the NC Individual Income Tax Return (Form D-400) using Schedule S, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026. Law: 10 U.S.C. Chapter 61.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    North Carolina Tax Exemption for Survivor Benefit Plan Payments

    Surviving beneficiaries of military retirees receive an exemption from North Carolina state income tax on Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) payments. This provides ongoing tax-free income support to surviving spouses and families of deceased military retirees.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Surviving spouses and beneficiaries of military retirees who receive SBP, RCSBP, or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) payments.
    How to apply
    The tax exemption is claimed as a deduction when filing North Carolina state income taxes. Beneficiaries should consult with a tax professional or the NC Department of Revenue regarding proper filing.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • No rating needed

    "VETERAN" Designation on NC Driver License/ID

    North Carolina veterans can add a free "VETERAN" designation to their driver license or ID card as proof of prior military service.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to North Carolina military veterans who present proof of honorable discharge at a driver license office.
    How to apply
    Bring proof of honorable discharge (such as DD-214) to an NCDMV driver license office and request the designation; the designation itself is free, though normal renewal/duplicate fees still apply.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • 100%+

    Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plate

    Qualifying disabled veterans may receive a Disabled Veteran license plate for one vehicle with the standard plate fee waived, and the plate allows use of accessible parking spaces.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating, or paid at the 100% rate through TDIU (also called IU). Only for veterans with a combined VA rating of 100% or who get Individual Unemployability (TDIU), certified by an NCDMVA accredited service officer.
    How to apply
    Complete Form MVR-33A, obtain certification from a DMVA Accredited Veterans Service Officer, and submit to an NCDMV license plate agency.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026. Law: N.C.G.S. § 20-79.4.

  • No rating needed

    Military and Veteran Specialty License Plates

    NCDMV offers more than 30 distinctive license plates recognizing military branches, combat honors (e.g., Purple Heart), and veteran status, some issued at no additional fee.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Eligibility and required documentation (DD-214, award citations, etc.) vary by plate type; many require certification by a DMVA Accredited Service Officer.
    How to apply
    Complete Form MVR-33A, obtain required certification, and submit to an NCDMV license plate agency.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    North Carolina Gold Star Family License Plate

    Immediate family members of service members killed in combat receive a special Gold Star Lapel Button license plate at no additional fee. The plate honors the service member's sacrifice and is available to families of those killed during armed hostilities or peacekeeping operations.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling) of a service member killed during: periods of armed hostilities with opposing foreign forces, service with friendly foreign forces in armed conflict, or military operations outside the U.S. as part of a peacekeeping force.
    How to apply
    Applicants must provide a copy of the DD1300 Report of Casualty as proof of eligibility. Application is made through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • Any rating

    Free State Parks Annual Pass for Veterans with Disabilities

    Veterans with a VA-certified service-connected disability can receive a free NC State Parks Annual Pass, which normally covers swimming, equipment rentals, and reservoir day-use fees.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Any VA service-connected rating, even 0%. Veteran must have been discharged honorably and have benefits or certification of a service-connected disability from the VA or another federal agency; no minimum disability percentage is stated.
    How to apply
    Submit the Free Annual Pass for Veterans with Disabilities request form along with a copy of the VA Summary of Benefits Letter to the NC Division of Parks and Recreation.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • 50%+

    Lifetime Combination Hunting and Inland Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

    North Carolina resident veterans with a 50% or greater VA disability rating can obtain a one-time-fee lifetime combination hunting and inland fishing license.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Must be a North Carolina resident and a fifty percent (50%) or more disabled veteran as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; license remains valid for life so long as the disability rating is maintained.
    How to apply
    Submit the Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License application with VA disability certification to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission by mail or in person.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    NC State Approving Agency for Veterans and Military Education

    An independent state agency affiliated with DMVA approves education and training programs in North Carolina so that veterans and dependents can use federal GI Bill benefits at those institutions.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applies to colleges, universities, and vocational/technical schools in North Carolina seeking approval so their programs qualify for GI Bill funding; veterans must enroll in an approved program to use benefits.
    How to apply
    Institutions apply for initial approval or reapproval through the NC State Approving Agency; veterans confirm their program is on the approved list before enrolling.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Waiver of 12-Month Residency Requirement for Veterans (In-State Tuition)

    North Carolina law allows certain veterans, their dependents, and other qualifying individuals to be charged the in-state tuition rate at NC public colleges and universities without meeting the normal 12-month residency requirement.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veteran must have served at least 90 days of active duty in the Armed Forces, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, or NOAA, been discharged, and generally qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill.
    How to apply
    Contact the campus Residency Determination Service (RDS) and submit proof of veteran status/education benefits to have tuition classification adjusted to the in-state rate.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: 38 U.S.C. Chapter 30 or 33.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans

    This state-funded scholarship provides eight academic semesters of tuition assistance at participating North Carolina schools for the children of certain deceased, disabled, combat, or POW/MIA veterans.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applicant must be the child (as the military defines it) of a veteran in a qualifying group, under 25 when applying, and a North Carolina resident. The veteran parent generally must have been an NC legal resident when they served, or the child born in NC and living there since.
    How to apply
    Apply online through the DMVA scholarship portal during the announced application window; awards cover eight academic semesters usable within eight years.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026. Law: 37 U.S.C. §401.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • No rating needed

    Veteran's Preference in State Employment

    North Carolina law grants veterans (and eligible National Guard members) a hiring and retention preference for positions with every state department, agency, and institution.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applies to veterans as defined by law who served during a period of war (or other qualifying campaign/expedition) and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions; preference extends to initial hiring, promotions, reassignments, transfers, and reductions in force.
    How to apply
    Indicate veteran status when applying for NC state government positions; credit is given per State Human Resources Commission rules under G.S. 126-80 through 83 and G.S. 128-15.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Business certification and contracts

  • No rating needed

    Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Certification for Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses

    The NC Department of Administration's HUB Office certifies businesses that are majority-owned by disabled individuals (including service-related disabilities), giving them access to state procurement opportunities.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Business must be at least 51% owned and daily-managed by an individual with a qualifying disability (service-related disabilities apply) or other historically underutilized category, and meet requirements of N.C.G.S. 143-128.4.
    How to apply
    Register as a vendor in the state's electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) and submit a HUB certification request with supporting documentation to the HUB Office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment for Veterans

    The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency offers up to $15,000 in down payment help to military veterans, first-time buyers, and buyers in targeted areas. It is a 0 percent deferred second loan, forgiven 20 percent a year in years 11 to 15. It must be paired with an NC Home Advantage Mortgage. Funding can change, so confirm it is still offered.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Military veteran, first-time buyer (no home owned in the past 3 years), or buyer in a targeted area, buying a home in North Carolina to live in within 60 days. Must meet county income and price limits, have a credit score of 640 or higher (660 for manufactured homes), and qualify for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage.
    How to apply
    Apply through a participating lender for an NC Home Advantage Mortgage and request the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment option.
    Official page

    Last checked October 26, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    North Carolina State Veterans Cemeteries

    DMVA operates state veterans cemeteries offering a free gravesite, opening/closing of the grave, marker installation, and perpetual care for qualified veterans, with a burial fee for eligible spouses or dependents.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Qualified veterans are former U.S. Armed Forces members whose active-duty service (other than for training) was terminated under honorable conditions; North Carolina residency at time of entry into service or other residency criteria apply; spouses and certain dependents may also be eligible.
    How to apply
    Contact the NC State Veterans Cemetery program or a funeral director to arrange interment; documentary evidence of service, marriage, and dependency must be provided.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    North Carolina State Veterans Homes (Skilled Nursing Care)

    DMVA operates state veterans homes providing skilled nursing care, therapy, and activities for eligible veterans, licensed by the state and approved for Medicare/Medicaid.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Admission is governed by G.S. 143B-1298; the veteran generally must have been discharged under honorable conditions, have resided in North Carolina for the two years immediately preceding application, and be disabled and in need of nursing home care per physician orders.
    How to apply
    Submit a completed application packet, including a medical examination/FL-2 form, obtainable from the facility or a County/District Veterans Service Officer.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Money, grants and bonuses

  • No rating needed

    DMVA Grant Program for County Veterans Offices

    DMVA distributes state grant funding to County Veterans Offices to expand services to veterans, with a legislatively-set maximum grant amount per county.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. County Veterans Offices located in a county with eight or fewer certified veteran service officers are eligible to apply, per Session Law 2023-134.
    How to apply
    Eligible County Veterans Offices submit a grant application with a project budget and scope of work to DMVA by the announced deadline.
    Official page

    Last checked September 27, 2026.

Also check

Education only. Helping The Brave is not a government agency. Confirm details with the agency before you apply.