South Carolina Military and Veterans Benefits

By Larry Dandridge

This is the final article in the four-article series on State of South Carolina military and veteran benefits.

South Carolina may be the best state in the union to be a veteran because S.C. offers special benefits for military members, veterans, and their families including:

A S.C. Veterans Affairs Office serving each county in S.C., an income tax deduction for military retired pay, property tax exemptions, employment preference, education assistance, tuition assistance, and state vehicle tags.
Hunting-fishing license privileges, health/insurance benefits, state veterans nursing homes, legal outreach programs, and veteran-peer support programs.
The Dolly Cooper State Veterans Cemetery, a Veterans Treatment Mentor Court Program, free recording of discharges and certified (50 cents) copies for S.C. veterans, and free marriage, birth, death, and divorce verification when needed.
Military Family Relief Fund (SCMFRF) grants, the presentation of a South Carolina Flag to Families of deceased S.C. National Guard members, regional S.C. Veteran Advisers, S.C. reduced fee state park passes, and S.C. National Guardsmen workers’ compensation.
The S.C. Veteran and Armed Services Legal Outreach Program, University of S.C. School of Law Legal Clinic for Veterans, and more.

Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component, and the veteran’s disability status.

You can find summaries of SC military and veteran benefits online at:

My Army Benefits (South Carolina) webpage, https://bit.ly/3JXFY5P.
Military.COM *(State Vets Benefits) webpage, https://bit.ly/3UI6QLX.
The SC Department of Veteran Affairs “Consumer Affairs” webpage, https://scdva.sc.gov/consumer-affairs.
The Island News article, “Veteran should want to live, work and retire in SC”, dated June 1, 2022, https://bit.ly/3UZ0NUv.
The Island News article, “South Carolina military and veterans’ benefits” (Part 1 of 4), May 14, 2024, https://bit.ly/3RbK12c.
The Island News article, “SC Military and Veterans Benefits” (Part 2 of 4), May 21, 2024, https://bit.ly/3RbNMow.
The Island News article, “Veterans, Military Members should use SCWorks.org to find a job, get more help” (Part 1 of 2), May 1, 2024, https://bit.ly/459BRxa.
The Island News article, “Veterans, military members should use SCWorks.org to find a job, get more help” (Part 2 of 2), May 8, 2024, https://bit.ly/3RA5Etx.
The Island News article, “South Carolina military and veterans’ benefits (Part 3 of 4), May 22, 2024, https://yourislandnews.com/.
The Army National Guard Benefits webpage, https://www.nationalguard.com/benefits.
The SC State HR Resources webpage, https://bit.ly/3RexQlj.
SC Department of Veteran Affairs, https://scdva.sc.gov.
SC DOR Tax Tips For Veterans pamphlet, https://bit.ly/3Vps0jE.
SC Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission, https://bit.ly/3Vqquxs.
American Bar Association 2023 Edition of the Military State Tax Guide, https://bit.ly/4bI98ln.
And the references in the above The Island News articles, state and other websites, and other resources listed above and in past articles.

Find past veterans benefits articles from The Island News

Larry Dandridge’s past articles on military and veteran benefits are located online at https://yourislandnews.com/. Click on the Military button at the top center of the page.

Use a “Free” and “VA-accredited” Veterans Service Officer (VSO)

Filing for federal and state veterans’ benefits can be complicated. VSOs understand veterans’ federal and state benefits and how to file for benefits. Beware of individuals and businesses preying on veterans and their families by charging fees and guaranteeing claim results.

VSOs are trained by the VA, the South Carolina (or another state’s) Department of Veteran Affairs, and a Veterans Service Organization like the American Legion (AL), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and other Veterans Service Organizations. VSOs must pass a background check, pass a comprehensive examination, swear to represent honestly, and attend continuing education requirements.

SC County VSOs

Veterans can find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Find Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7.

How to search Nationwide for VSOs

Veterans and their family members can also search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, and Claims Agents) nationwide at https://bit.ly/3QnCk5M.

Find a VSO at VBA Regional Headquarters

Veterans and their family members can also search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs) at VBA Regional Offices at https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp. VSOs co-located in the Columbia S.C. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Office frequently travel throughout the state to help veterans. Contact information:

Disabled American Veterans: 803-647-2422.
American Legion/SCDVA: 803-647-2434.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): 803-647-2443.
Paralyzed Veterans (PVA): 803-647-2432.

Some SC VSOs in the footprint of The Island News

Beaufort County, Director Caroline Fermin, 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, 843-255-6880, https://bit.ly/3ryd5qS.
Beaufort DAV Chapter, Chapter Service Officer Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 and mlv1030@gmail.com.
Jasper County, Alton Jenkins, 651 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, S.C. 29936, Phone: 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov.
Colleton County, Janet Smith, 219 S. Lemacks Street, Suite 124, Walterboro, S.C. 29488, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
Charleston County, David LeBlanc, Lonnie Hamilton III Public Services Building, Suite B-154 (First Floor),4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, S.C. 29405, 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org
Berkeley County, Gerald Baxley, 212, Oakley Plantation Drive, Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461, 843-723-3800 (Ext. 4023), Moncks Corner 843-719-4023, St. Stephen 843-567-3136 Ext. 4023).
Dorchester County, Johnny Brown, 500 North Main Street, Summerville, S.C., 843-832-0050 and 201 Johnston Street, St. George, S.C., 843-563-0116.

Some Georgia VSOs in the footprint of The Island News

Chatham County, Ga., Manager Miguel Rivera (Bi-Lingual), 912-920-0214, Ext. 2412191, Miguel.rivera5@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga., 31419. Also, VSO Sheri Shellman, 912-920-0214 Extension 412194, and VSO Robert Jones 912-920-0214, Extension 412193. Located in the Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic.
Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga., Shannon Daniels, 912-408-2948, shannon.daniels@vs.state.ga.us, and Dennis Boothe, 912-408-2900 ext. 352750, dennis.boothe@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga., 31313. Located inside the Hinesville VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
Brunswick Ga., Veterans Field Service Office (located in the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic-CBOC), 93 Benchmark Way, Brunswick, Ga., 31520, Manager Stephanie Jordon, Phone: 912-264-7360, Email stephanie.jordan1@vs.state.ga.us

A final comment about VSOs

Not all VSOs work in State or County Veterans Affairs Offices or VBA Regional Offices. Some VSOs work as volunteers for their local Veterans Service Organization (VVA, AL, VFW, etc.) Chapter. VSOs do not work for the VA but rather they work for the “Veteran and Veteran’s family members and survivors.” VSOs do work closely with the VA but they represent the veteran (for free) and his or her family. In the most complicated cases, like some claim appeals, VSOs can be counted on to refer veterans and their families to VA-accredited attorneys for help.

Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.