According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community report, there are 405,094 veterans living in S.C. Veterans make up about 14 percent of the S.C. population. Of the more than 400,000 veterans in S.C., 181,253 are 65 and older. Women make up 13% (44,536). The S.C. veteran portion of the S.C. population is roughly 10%, which is about 2.5 percent higher than the rest of the states.
Veteran dependents are estimated to be roughly 650,000. Therefore, about one-fifth of the state’s population is made up of veterans and their dependents. In 2018, approximately 264,000 veterans in S.C. have no VA determined military service-connected disabilities and about 100,000 had VA determined military service-connected disabilities.
As of 2019, the median income of veterans in S.C. is $41,908, as compared to non-veterans of about $30,000. Currently, there are approximately 62,627 military retirees residing in the Palmetto State. Of the incarcerated population in South Carolina, 10% are veterans, about 40,000.
The 2019 South Carolina Veteran Suicide Data Sheet includes information about South Carolina veteran suicides by age, sex, and suicide method and compares this with regional and national data.
The veteran suicide rate in S.C. is not significantly different from the national veteran suicide rate. In 2019, 123 veterans committed suicide in S.C.
Tragically, of the approximately 22 veterans who commit suicide each day, more than half never sought help from the VA. Fewer than 10 of the suicides were females. Read about SC Veteran Suicides at https://bit.ly/3lVbK7l.
It is estimated that 1,500 veterans in S.C. need help with housing and are but one step from homelessness. It is also estimated that 10% (150 of 1500) chose not to be sheltered. Read about the Veterans Administration’s Homeless Programs at https://www.va.gov/homeless/.
Go online to the SC Veterans Demographics and Statistics website (https://bit.ly/3lVAxIq) for details about veterans in S.C.
19 reasons why veterans want to live in S.C.
Most veterans know that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) provides robust veterans’ benefits, but many do not know that S.C. also has very generous and valuable veterans’ benefits, resources, and support facilities, including but not limited to:
1. SCDVA helps veterans
The S.C. Department of Veteran Affairs (SCDVA), which is led by the S.C. State Secretary of Veteran Affairs Will Grimsley (also a retired Army Major General), leads a coalition of partners to create an environment in which veterans and their families can thrive. The SCDVA assists and advocates for veterans, military members, military bases, and their families in obtaining benefits. SCDVA educates the public, state and local leaders, veterans and military members, and their families on matters pertinent to veterans. Read about SCDVA at https://scdva.sc.gov.
2. Military Retiree S.C. Income Tax Exemption
S.C. is one of more than three dozen states that exempt military retiree pays from taxation. Read more at https://bit.ly/3wWSz2e.
3. Great VA medical centers
S.C. has two of the best VA Medical Centers, which are located in Charleston and Columbia. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston is the only five-star hospital in SC and it has been rated by the Joint Commission as being in the top 10 percent of all public and private hospitals in the USA for more than 10 years for the quality of care, customer satisfaction, and many more key measurements.
4. VA community-based outpatient clinics
Modern and fully staffed VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) are located in Beaufort, Charleston, Goose Creek, Myrtle Beach, Market Commons (Myrtle Beach), North Charleston, Trident 2 (Ladson), Florence, Greenville, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, and Sumter, S.C., and Savannah, and Hinesville, Ga.
5. County VSOs and other VSOs
A Veterans Service Office (VSO) in each S.C. county to help veterans apply for benefits. Find your County VSO online at https://scdva.sc.gov/county-veterans-affairs-offices. Many Veterans Service Organizations like DVA, American Legion, VFW, and others also have VSOs.
6. SC Veterans Nursing Homes
There are five affordable and first-class S.C. Veterans Nursing Homes are in S.C., including Veterans’ Victory House in Walterboro, E.R. Stone Veterans Pavilion in Columbia, R.M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson, Veteran Village in Florence, and Palmetto Patriots Home in Gaffney. Contact your local County VSO for more information and to apply for admission.
7. Seven military bases
Seven military bases in S.C., which include Joint Base Charleston; Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, Fort Jackson Army Base in Columbia, Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, Naval Hospital Beaufort, and Coast Guard Base Charleston. Each of these bases has commissaries, exchanges, recreational areas, transient housing, and other facilities that may be open to retirees and veterans. There is also the S.C. Army National Guard with approximately 10,000 soldiers and the S.C. Air National Guard comprised of approximately 1,200 airmen. There are 58 National Guard armories in S.C. Read about the S.C. Military Base Task Force and bases at https://scdva.sc.gov/sc-military-base-task-force.
8. Veterans National and State Cemeteries
Two VA beautiful National Cemeteries in Beaufort and Fort Jackson/Columbia, and the M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans State of S.C. Cemetery in Anderson. Read about the Dolly Cemetery at https://scdva.sc.gov/cemetery.
9. SCDVA veterans services
The multitude of SCDVA veterans’ services can be found at https://scdva.sc.gov. Some of those services include Claims Assistance, Women Veterans Programs, General Resources, Mental Health Resources, County VSOs, Cooper Vets Cemetery, a Veteran of the Week Program, an informative News Letter, Employment Assistance, Job Fairs, VA Medical Center Information, Recent News affecting Veterans, an online Fallen Veterans Gallery, and free-tuition assistance for certain wartime veterans’ children.
10. SCDVA Palmetto Pathfinder Program
This program prevents suicides by helping military members transition to civilian life. It is a human-to-human and connection-based approach to ease stress. Pathfinders are veteran volunteers trained and equipped to guide fellow Veterans to resources within the state. Read about and sign up as a volunteer at https://scdva.sc.gov/palmetto-pathfinder-program.
11. SCDVA’s Veterans’ Trust Fund
The fund was established to serve the veterans of SC by assisting established veteran-supported programs to enhance the quality of life of our veterans and their families. The Trust Fund Board of Trustees emphasizes the education of South Carolina citizens on the values of patriotism and service to our Nation and the sacrifices of our veterans. The fund provides financial assistance through the awarding of grants for worthy causes that benefit veterans. Read about the fund at https://scdva.sc.gov/veterans-trust-fund.
12. SCDVA’s South Carolina Veteran Coalition
South Carolina Veteran Coalition is comprised of SCDVA leaders, Veteran Service Organizations, and County VSOs joining together to help improve care and connect veterans and their family members to resources in the state. There are a number of organizations in the South Carolina Veteran Coalition that include Goodwill Industries of The Upstate/Midlands, Upstate Veteran Alliance Network, Vantage Point, Veterans Bridge Home, The Independence Fund, Patriots-Path, Alston Wilkes, Palmetto Goodwill, Palmetto Water Connection, and several organizations that help to address Veteran concerns.
Organizations like the Defense Contractors, other businesses, veterans service organizations (VVA, American Legion, VFW, MOAA, Navy and USMC League, etc.), the Tri-County Veterans Support Network, Defense Contractor Chapters, clubs (Exchange, Rotary, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, etc.) and other businesses and organizations are encouraged to join the SC Veteran Coalition.
Read about the SCDVA’s South Carolina Veteran Coalition at https://scdva.sc.gov/south-carolina-veteran, -coalition. The best way for any organization to become a member of the S.C. Veteran Coalition is to contact one of the following Regional Integration Officers:
- 1. Jade Berkley, Pee Dee Region, jade.berkley@scdva.sc.gov, 803-363-5708
- 2. Matt St. Clair, Upstate Region, matt.stclair@scdva.sc.gov, 803-849-2594
- 3. Brennan Beck, Lowcountry Region, Brennan.bec@scdva.sc.gov, 803-876-8800
- 4. Dan Wrightsman, Midlands, Daniel.wrightsman@scdva.sc.gov, 803-728-5306
13. S.C. Income Tax Exemption on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease. See https://dor.sc.gov/tax/exempt-property.
14. S.C. Complete Property Tax Homestead Exemption for Permanently and Totally Disabled Veterans, Prisoners of War, and Medal of Honor Recipients
Provides a complete property tax exemption on homes and private vehicles for 100% and totally disabled veterans, POWs, and Medal of Honor Recipients. Read the details at https://dor.sc.gov/tax/exempt-property.
15. Free S.C. Hunting and Fishing Privileges for Disabled Resident Vets
Provides free hunting/fishing licenses to Veterans who are totally disabled. Read more at https://www.dnr.sc.gov.
16. S.C. Resident Hunting and Fishing License Privileges for Nonresident Military personnel and their dependents
Service members and their dependents stationed in S.C. for 30 days or longer, or who are domiciled in this state, are eligible for resident privileges. Valid military identification is needed when applying. Read more at https://www.dnr.sc.gov.
17. Hunting and Fishing License Exemptions for Active-Duty Service Members Stationed outside S.C. and are Home on Leave
Active duty or military personnel who are residents of SC stationed outside of the state and home on leave, may upon presentation of their earnings and leave statement (which must declare SC as their home state), be allowed to fish and hunt throughout the state without purchasing a hunting or fishing license. Read more at https://www.dnr.sc.gov.
18. S.C. Education Assistance, Free Tuition for certain veterans’ children
Provides free tuition to the Children of certain war veterans attending SC state-supported colleges and universities as well as state-supported post-high school technical education institutions. Ask your county or other VSO and visit the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs website via this link, https://scdva.sc.gov/education to complete the online application.
19. Purple Star (military-friendly) school districts
The SCDVA works with the Department of Education to establish Purple Star School Districts in S.C. There are currently 10, which include: Aiken County, Richland 2, Kershaw County, Sumter County, Richland 1, Charleston County, Berkeley County, Edgefield County, Beaufort County, and Anderson 1. A Purple Star School (or district) is a public or charter school that has committed to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children. Read about Purple Star Schools at https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools.
20. ROTC and Junior ROTC programs galore
The SCDVA supports the 27 (out of a total of 61) colleges and universities in S.C. that have Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs. SCDVA also supports the dozens of Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force High School Junior (J) ROTC programs in S.C.
More about the South Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs
The SC General Assembly passed a bill that established the S.C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs as a cabinet agency effective July 1, 2019. The South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs Headquarters is located at 1800 St. Julian Place, Suite 305, Columbia, SC 29204. SCDVA’s Phone number is 803-734-0200, the Fax number is 803-734-4014, and the E-mail is va@scdva.sc.gov. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are 47 SCDVA employees, which includes the State of SC Veterans’ Cemetery employees.
Summary
There are too many S.C. veterans’ benefits to list in one newspaper article. So, if you are a veteran or veteran’s family member or survivor, “Welcome to God’s country for veterans!”
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.
