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North Carolina veteran disability benefits

State benefits that North Carolina offers veterans with a service-connected disability, on top of your federal VA compensation. Each one links to its official source. This is educational information, not legal advice, and North Carolina's agency makes the final eligibility call.

Property taxRequires a 100% Permanent & Total rating

Disabled Veteran Homestead Exclusion (100% P&T)

Veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability exclude the first $45,000 of their residence's appraised value from property tax.

Flat $45,000 exclusion per the enacted statute N.C.G.S. 105-277.1C (a rising $75k/$125k/$500k schedule appears only in a PROPOSED, non-enacted bill — not current law). Also qualifies via VA specially-adapted-housing benefits.

Official source (verified 2026-06-08)
Income tax

Military Retirement Pay Fully Exempt

North Carolina fully exempts military retirement income from state income tax.

Not rating-gated (post-2021 law plus Bailey settlement).

Official source (verified 2026-06-08)
Recreation & licensesTypically requires a 50%+ combined rating

Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License (50%+)

Resident veterans rated 50%+ qualify for a discounted lifetime hunting/fishing license.

Valid for life so long as the veteran stays at 50%+; certified by NC DMVA.

Official source (verified 2026-06-08)
Vehicle & DMVTypically requires a 100%+ combined rating

Free Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plate (100%)

Veterans with a 100% rating (or 100% individual-unemployability pay) get one free DV plate with waived registration fee.

Includes individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate; Form MVR-33A.

Official source (verified 2026-06-08)
EducationTypically requires a 100%+ combined rating

Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans (Class I-B, 100%)

Children of veterans rated 100% from wartime service can receive free tuition at NC public colleges.

Applicant must be under 25 and an NC resident.

Official source (verified 2026-06-08)

Most state benefits scale with your VA combined rating.

Estimate your combined rating for free, then see what you can claim to reach the thresholds above.

VA Disability Pro is an independent tool. It is not the VA, not a law firm, and not a VA-accredited representative. State benefits and eligibility change; always confirm with the official sources linked above.