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South Dakota benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official South Dakota source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs can help you apply for them at no cost.
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (SDDVA) and County/Tribal Veterans Service Officers
In effect
SDDVA helps veterans and dependents file claims with the U.S. VA and runs the state veterans home, cemetery and bonus programs. Every county has a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO), and some reservations have a Tribal Veterans Service Officer (TVSO).
$200,000 property tax exemption for P&T service-connected disabled veterans
In effect
The first $200,000 of the full and true value of an owner-occupied home owned by a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability is exempt from property tax. Unremarried surviving spouses receiving DIC can also qualify.
Who qualifies
Veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability (or unremarried surviving spouse receiving DIC); home classified as owner-occupied.
Amount or details
$200,000 of full and true value exempt (home, garage and lot). If a P&T claim was pending with the VA, the county must abate/refund taxes back to the claim's effective date, up to four prior years. Separate exemption exists for paraplegic veterans (SDCL 10-4-41). Statute last amended by SL 2026, ch 40.
How to apply
File Form PT 46C with your county director of equalization by November 1, with a VA statement of P&T service-connected disability (Sioux Falls VA Regional Office 1-800-827-1000). One-time application.
Disabled Veteran license plates (no registration fee)
In effect
Qualifying disabled veterans get Disabled Veteran plates with no registration fee; only a $10 annual plate fee and a $12 mailing fee apply.
Who qualifies
Resident veteran with a VA K award, a PL 187 automobile, a statutory benefit for loss/loss of use of extremities, or a total service-connected disability allotment; injury incurred during wartime or armed-conflict mission (SDCL 32-5-76).
Amount or details
$10 per year plate fee + $12 mailing fee; no registration fee. Other veteran/military plates also available.
How to apply
Complete the SD Military License Plate Application (MV-4000); status verified through the VA in Sioux Falls.
Free tuition for veterans at Board of Regents universities and technical colleges
In effect
Resident veterans who qualify for resident tuition get one month of free undergraduate tuition for each month of qualifying service, from a minimum of one to a maximum of four academic years.
Who qualifies
SD resident veteran meeting the wartime/qualifying service definitions (SDCL 33A-2); must qualify for resident tuition.
Amount or details
Tuition only, 1 to 4 academic years based on months of service.
How to apply
Apply through the veterans/financial aid office at the Board of Regents institution or technical college.
“no eligible veteran is entitled to less than one nor more than four academic years of free tuition pursuant to this section”
Free tuition for children of service members who died in service; Guard dependents
In effect
Resident children under 25 of a veteran who died while in service get free tuition and charges at state institutions. Children and spouses of SD National Guard members killed or totally disabled on duty also get free tuition.
Who qualifies
Child under 25 of a resident who died while serving (SDCL 13-55-6); child under 25 or spouse of SD Guard member who died or was permanently totally disabled on duty (SDCL 13-55-10).
Amount or details
Free tuition (13-55-6 covers charges and costs).
How to apply
Apply through the institution's financial aid office.
Veterans' preference in state and local government hiring
In effect
Veterans get preference for appointment, employment and promotion in state, county, city and school district jobs, and a qualified veteran must be granted an interview. Service-disabled veterans get preference over non-disabled veterans.
Who qualifies
Veteran per SDCL 33A-2-1; unremarried spouse of a veteran who died from service; spouse of a disabled veteran unable to use the preference.
Amount or details
Preference plus guaranteed interview if minimum qualifications are met.
How to apply
Claim veteran status when applying for public jobs (bhr.sd.gov for state jobs).
South Dakota Veterans Bonus (up to $500 per period)
In effect
SD pays a bonus to veterans who were legal SD residents during qualifying active duty: up to $500 for Desert Storm-era service and another up to $500 for service after Jan. 1, 1993, including the ongoing post-9/11 period.
Who qualifies
Legal SD resident for the entire period of qualifying active duty; active duty for training does not count.
Amount or details
Up to $500 per qualifying period.
How to apply
Submit the SDDVA Bonus application; mail requests to SD Veterans Bonus, 425 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501 or call 605-773-3269.
Reduced-fee small game and fishing license for disabled veterans and former POWs
In effect
Residents who are totally disabled, have a VA K award or a service-connected total disability allotment, or are former POWs can get a resident small game license and fishing license at a reduced fee.
Who qualifies
SD resident meeting SDCL 41-6-10.2 (e.g., VA K award or service-connected total disability allotment, or former POW).
Amount or details
Reduced fee set by the Game, Fish and Parks Commission.
How to apply
Apply to the GFP licensing office in Pierre with the VA letter or discharge papers.
“or they receive a veteran’s allotment for a total (40 percent) disability which is deemed a service-related injury”
Lifetime state park entrance license for disabled veterans and POWs
In effect
SD residents who are 100% permanently and totally disabled or K award recipients can get a lifetime state park entrance license, plus 50% off camping fees.
Who qualifies
SD resident disabled veteran rated 100% P&T or K award recipient; former POWs.
Amount or details
Free lifetime park entrance; 50% discount on camping.
Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home (Hot Springs)
In effect
South Dakota's state veterans home, founded as the Dakota Soldiers' Home in Hot Springs, provides long-term care to SD veterans and eligible family members.
Who qualifies
SD veterans and certain spouses; see SDDVA application process.
Amount or details
Hot Springs, SD.
How to apply
See the Application Process page on vetaffairs.sd.gov or contact your CVSO.
The state's first federally funded, state-owned veterans cemetery was dedicated on Memorial Day 2021. Burial is free for eligible veterans; spouses and dependents pay a fee.
Who qualifies
Eligible veterans, spouses and dependents; pre-need eligibility determination available.
Amount or details
Spouse/dependent fee $1,002 (all burial options), cannot be prepaid.
How to apply
Request a determination of eligibility (pre-registration) through SDDVA.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official South Dakota source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs about anything here.
SDDVA education page content did not render (likely loaded dynamically); education items sourced to SDCL chapter 13-55 instead.
Cemetery and veterans home street addresses were not in the reviewed page text (likely images); cemetery location (Sioux Falls) not verified from a reviewed page.
SDCL 10-4-40 was amended by SL 2026, ch 40; the specific 2026 change was not isolated (current text quoted).
Paraplegic veteran full exemption (SDCL 10-4-41) is mentioned but not separately quoted.
2026 SD legislative session veteran bills not reviewed individually.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.