North Carolina VA Disability Benefits & Resources for Veterans

State benefit details verified against official state sources on September 27, 2026.

Overview

The North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NCDMVA) certifies most state benefits through accredited county and state veterans service officers. NCDMVA’s signature is required on the property tax form, the license plate application and the hunting license application. The largest benefits are a $45,000 homestead exclusion for veterans rated 100% permanent and total, a military retirement deduction for 20-year and medical retirees, and free Disabled Veteran plates.

Key benefits at a glance

Property tax relief

Under N.C.G.S. 105-277.1C, the disabled veteran homestead exclusion removes the first $45,000 of assessed value from taxation (NCDMVA). The owner must have an honorable or under-honorable-conditions discharge and be:

• a veteran with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability, or who receives VA specially adapted housing benefits; or
• the never-remarried surviving spouse of such a veteran, or of a veteran who died of a service-connected condition.

Co-owners who each qualify still share a maximum exclusion of $45,000. NCDMVA’s criteria don’t include an income limit for this exclusion.

How to apply:

1. Complete Sections 1 and 2 of Form NCDVA-9.
2. Have it certified by a county veterans service office or the State Veterans Service Center.
3. File the certified NCDVA-9 with Form AV-9 at your county tax office by June 1 of the tax year.

State income tax

Under G.S. 105-153.5, North Carolina deducts uniformed services retirement pay for a retiree who served at least 20 years or was medically retired under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 61 (severance pay doesn’t qualify). Survivor Benefit Plan payments to that retiree’s beneficiaries are also deductible. Military retirees who meet neither test pay tax on their retirement. VA disability compensation is excluded from federal gross income (IRS Publication 525) and is not taxed in North Carolina.

Vehicle registration and plates

According to NCDMVA, these plates are free and the license plate fee is waived: Disabled Veteran, Ex-POW, Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Valor, Silver Star Disabled Veteran and Bronze Star with Valor. The Partially Disabled Veteran plate and many service plates (Purple Heart, Iraq, Afghanistan and others) cost the same as a regular plate. Personalized messages carry a yearly fee.

Apply on Form MVR-33A. Section 3 must be certified by a DMVA-accredited county or state service officer using your DD-214 and, if applicable, your VA rating letter.

Hunting and fishing licenses

The Wildlife Resources Commission sells lifetime licenses, which stay valid even if you move away. Two are aimed at disabled veterans (NCDMVA):

• Disabled Veteran lifetime license for residents who are 50% or more disabled veterans
• Totally Disabled lifetime license for residents who are totally and permanently disabled

Check with NCWRC for current prices.

Education benefits

The North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans covers eight academic semesters, to be used within eight years, at North Carolina schools (NCDMVA). It is for children under 25 of certain deceased, disabled, combat or POW/MIA veterans whose qualifying event happened during a period of war. Either the veteran must have been a North Carolina resident on entering service, or the child must have been born in North Carolina and lived there since. Benefits depend on the eligibility class.

Deadline: February 14 when the veteran’s disability is under 100% or the claim is based on combat-zone service. Applications are online only, and the Fall 2026 portal is now closed.

State veterans homes

NCDMVA lists state veterans home locations in Black Mountain, Fayetteville, Kernersville, Kinston and Salisbury (NCDMVA). Each home has a veterans service officer on staff and accepts Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.

Employment preference

North Carolina’s preference works through credit for military service instead of added points. Under G.S. 126-82, eligible veterans get credit for military training and experience related to the job when their qualifications are measured against the minimum requirements, plus more credit for additional military service. The preference covers initial hiring, promotions, reassignments and transfers, and military service can count as seniority in a reduction in force.

How to apply in North Carolina

1. Find your county veterans service office through NCDMVA (toll-free 844-624-8387). Their certification is required for the property tax form and veteran plates.
2. Property tax: NCDVA-9 (certified) plus AV-9 to the county tax office by June 1.
3. Plates: MVR-33A with Section 3 certified, then submit to NCDMV.
4. Scholarship: apply through the NCDMVA online portal before the deadline for your class.

VA regional office and medical centers

The Winston-Salem VA Regional Benefit Office is at 251 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27155. North Carolina’s VA medical centers are the Charles George VA Medical Center (Asheville), Durham VA Medical Center, Fayetteville VA Medical Center and the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center (Salisbury), which together run more than 30 clinics across the state, including Kernersville and Goldsboro.

Filing a federal VA claim

Disability claims follow one federal process: see how to file a VA claim, check your claim status, and current compensation rates. Because North Carolina’s homestead exclusion requires a permanent and total 100% rating, make sure your VA decision states permanence before you file the NCDVA-9.

If you are in crisis, call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.