North Carolina State Veterans Benefits: Housing, Financial Aid, Employment, and More

North Carolina is home to a large and active veteran population, with veterans comprising 7.5% of the state’s adult residents. To serve the needs of this community, North Carolina offers a range of state-specific benefits in addition to those provided by the federal Veterans Affairs (VA). From housing benefits to financial incentives and employment assistance, North Carolina strives to make life easier for its veterans. In this article, we provide an overview of the state benefits veterans can access, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Overview:North Carolina State Veterans Benefits

Benefit Type	Details
Housing Benefits	Five state-run veterans’ homes across North Carolina provide housing for veterans in need of skilled nursing care. Fee is based on the cost of care and ability to pay.
Financial Benefits	Tax relief on military retirement, survivor benefits, VA disability, and property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.
Employment Benefits	Veterans employment preference, assistive technology program, and business resources for veterans interested in starting or growing a business.
Recreation Benefits	Lifetime hunting/fishing license for veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating.
Burial Benefits	Free burial plots for qualified veterans and their families at state veterans cemeteries located across North Carolina.

What Housing Benefits Are Available to North Carolina Veterans?

North Carolina has five veterans homes that provide housing and skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans who are residents of the state. These homes are located in:

• Fayetteville
• Salisbury
• Black Mountain
• Kinston
• Kernersville (opened in November 2023)

To be eligible for one of these homes, veterans must meet the following requirements:

• Served for other than training purposes
• Discharged under honorable conditions
• Resident of North Carolina for at least 24 months
• Referred by a licensed physician and need skilled nursing care

These homes charge a fee based on the actual cost of care and the veteran’s ability to pay. The state-run homes ensure that veterans receive the care they need while honoring their service.

What Financial Benefits Are Available to North Carolina Veterans?

Income Tax Relief:

• Military retirement pay and survivor benefit plans are tax-free in North Carolina.
• VA disability benefits are also tax-free, regardless of the state in which the veteran resides.

Property Tax Relief:

• Veterans with service-connected disabilities can receive property tax relief on motor vehicles that have been specially adapted to accommodate their disabilities.
• Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled and receive benefits for specially adapted housing can receive a property tax exemption for up to $45,000 of their primary residence’s appraised value. There are no age or income restrictions for this benefit.
• Surviving spouses of veterans receiving DIC benefits from the VA are also eligible for this property tax benefit.

Vehicle Highway Tax Exemption:

• Veterans with specially adapted vehicles are exempt from paying highway taxes on that vehicle.

What Employment Benefits Are Available to North Carolina Veterans?

Veterans Employment Preference:

• North Carolina offers employment preference to veterans who served on active duty during wartime. The preference extends to the spouses of disabled veterans and surviving spouses of veterans who died due to a service-connected disability or were killed in action.

North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP):

• This program provides assistance to veterans with disabilities in transitioning from military service to civilian life. The program is designed to offer assistive technology services to help veterans adapt to civilian environments.

Business Link North Carolina:

• Veterans interested in starting their own businesses can access resources and assistance from Business Link North Carolina, which collaborates with the North Carolina Department of Commerce to support veteran entrepreneurs.

“North Carolina is committed to helping veterans transition smoothly into civilian careers and entrepreneurship. These resources offer crucial support, whether you’re seeking employment or starting a business,” says Sarah Johnson, a veteran employment advocate.

What Recreation Benefits Are Available to North Carolina Veterans?

Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License:

• Disabled veterans who are residents of North Carolina and have a VA disability rating of 50% or higher are eligible to apply for a lifetime hunting and fishing license. This license is valid for as long as the veteran remains 50% or more disabled.
• The fees for these licenses range from $11 to $117, depending on the type of license, including inland fishing, coastal recreational fishing, hunting, and combo licenses.

“The lifetime hunting and fishing license is a wonderful benefit that allows veterans to continue enjoying the outdoors without the need to constantly renew their licenses,” says John Carter, a North Carolina wildlife expert.

What Burial Benefits Are Available to North Carolina Veterans?

North Carolina operates four state veterans cemeteries as part of the North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Program. Veterans and their families are eligible for free burial plots under certain conditions.

To be eligible, the individual must be a qualified veteran:

• A former member of the U.S. Armed Forces who served on active duty, other than training, and was discharged under honorable conditions.
• A veteran entitled to retired pay for non-regular service, or someone who would have been entitled to retired pay for non-regular service if not for their age.
• A legal resident of North Carolina for at least 10 years, or a veteran who joined the armed forces from North Carolina.

Veterans’ spouses and dependents may also be eligible for burial benefits under certain conditions, such as:

• Spouses, widows, or widowers of qualified veterans
• Minor children (under 21 years old or 23 if pursuing education)
• Unmarried adult children who are permanently incapable of self-support due to disability

North Carolina Veterans Cemeteries include:

• Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery — Black Mountain
• Coastal Carolina Veterans Cemetery — Jacksonville
• Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery — Fort Bragg
• Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery — Goldsboro

“North Carolina’s veterans cemeteries provide a dignified resting place for those who served our country, ensuring that veterans and their families receive the honors they deserve,” says Tom Walker, a cemetery administrator in North Carolina.

Finall Thought

North Carolina offers a broad range of benefits to veterans, ensuring they have the resources and support they need in areas such as housing, financial aid, employment, and recreation. From the five veterans homes to property tax exemptions, these benefits help honor the sacrifices made by veterans. Additionally, burial benefits and assistive technology ensure veterans are well cared for, both during and after their service.

Veterans living in North Carolina should take full advantage of these state-specific benefits to help improve their quality of life and ease their transition to civilian life.

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