Visit: #1 Columbus Tower Suite 610 Town Center Dr.Corner Main Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

Visit: #1 Columbus Tower Suite 610 Town Center Dr.Corner Main Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462

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    South Dakota Exclusive State Benefits

    Factoid: South Dakota has one of the highest per capita veteran populations in the nation, with over 60,000 veterans. The state is home to Ellsworth Air Force Base and a strong network of rural veteran service officers. South Dakota offers substantial tax exemptions, no state income tax, and lifetime hunting and fishing privileges for eligible veterans.
    Key Contact:
    South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (SDDVA)
    📍 425 E. Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
    🌐 https://vetaffairs.sd.gov | 📞 (605) 773 3269

    ⚕️ State Veterans Home
    🟩 The Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs provides long term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and memory care for eligible veterans and their spouses.
    📍 2500 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, SD 57747
    🌐 https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/veteranshome | 📞 (605) 745 5127
    🚗 Driver License & ID Benefits
    🟩 Free “Veteran” designation on South Dakota driver’s licenses and ID cards for honorably discharged veterans.
    🟩 No fee driver’s licenses for 100% service connected disabled veterans.
    📍 South Dakota Department of Public Safety
    🌐 https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing | 📞 (605) 773 6883
    🏠 Property Tax Exemption
    🟩 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans may qualify for a property tax exemption of up to $150,000 on their primary residence.
    🟩 Surviving spouses may retain the exemption.
    📍 Apply through your local county assessor’s office.
    🌐 https://dor.sd.gov | 📞 (605) 773 3311

    • 💵 Income Tax Benefits
      🟩 South Dakota has no state income tax — military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, and survivor benefits are all tax free.
      🎓 Education Benefits
      🟩 Free tuition at South Dakota state supported universities and technical colleges for eligible veterans who were residents at the time of entry into service.
      🟩 Free tuition for children of veterans who died in service, are MIA, or are POWs.
      📍 South Dakota Board of Regents
      🌐 https://sdbor.edu | 📞 (605) 773 3455
      💼 Employment Services
      🟩 Veterans receive preference in state government hiring and promotions.
      🟩 South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation offers veteran employment specialists statewide.
      🌐 https://dlr.sd.gov/veterans | 📞 (605) 773 3101
      🌳 Recreation & Licenses
      🟩 Free lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for 100% disabled veterans.
      🟩 Reduced fee licenses for other eligible veterans.
      🟩 Free admission to South Dakota state parks for residents who are 100% disabled veterans.
      📍 South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
      🌐 https://gfp.sd.gov | 📞 (605) 773 3391
      ⚖️ Legal Assistance
      🟩 Free legal aid for low income veterans provided through East River Legal Services and Dakota Plains Legal Services.
      🟩 Veterans Court programs in select counties for justice involved veterans.
      🌐 https://eastriverlegal.com | 📞 (605) 336 9230
      ⚰️ State Veterans Cemeteries
      🟩 South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls offers free burial for eligible veterans and nominal cost burial for spouses and dependents. Includes perpetual care, grave marker, and military honors.
      📍 25965 477th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
      🌐 https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/cemetery | 📞 (605) 773 3269
      💡 Additional South Dakota Specific Programs
      🟩 Veterans Bonus Program offers monetary bonuses to eligible veterans who served during specified periods of conflict.
      🟩 Operation Black Hills Cabin provides no cost therapeutic vacations for veterans wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan.
      🌐 https://vetaffairs.sd.gov | 📞 (605) 773 3269
      ________________________________________
      Disclaimer:
      This is NOT an official handout from DoD, VA, DOL nor FFSC but created by Dr. Tony Astro, PhD, GCDF, CMCS, CCSP as part of his class & capstone counseling. To reach out for correction and additional information connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyastro. You can also subscribe to his Military Benefits and Transition page for an update on this at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonyastro.
       

    South Dakota Veteran Welcome Guide

    Welcome to South Dakota, Veterans!

    Your guide to benefits, deals, and life in the Mount Rushmore State.

    Key Veteran Benefits

    • Property Tax Exemption: 100% P&T disabled veterans may qualify for an exemption of up to $150,000 on their primary residence.
    • No State Income Tax: A huge financial benefit. Your military retirement pay, disability compensation, and survivor benefits are all completely tax-free.
    • Education Benefits: Free tuition at state-supported universities and technical colleges for eligible resident veterans.

    Top 10 Things to Do

    1. Visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
    2. Drive the scenic Needles Highway in Custer State Park.
    3. Explore the otherworldly landscape of Badlands National Park.
    4. Discover the massive underground rooms of Wind Cave.
    5. See the Crazy Horse Memorial, still in progress.
    6. Experience the Old West in historic Deadwood.
    7. Visit the iconic Wall Drug Store for a truly unique stop.
    8. Enjoy water recreation on the Missouri River.
    9. See the bison herds at Custer State Park.
    10. Explore Falls Park in Sioux Falls.

    Why South Dakota is a Great Place for Veterans

    As a transition counselor, I see South Dakota as a state that offers veterans a powerful combination of financial freedom and a high quality of life. The complete absence of a state income tax is one of the most significant financial benefits you can find, allowing your retirement and disability income to go much further. This is a game-changer for long-term financial planning.


    Beyond the numbers, the state's culture of independence and its wide-open spaces can be incredibly therapeutic for those transitioning from military life. The strong sense of community, combined with unparalleled access to outdoor recreation, provides a peaceful and stable environment to build your next chapter. It's a place where you can truly breathe and find your footing after service.

    Head Office: #1 Columbus Tower Suite 610 Town Center Dr.Corner Main Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462Telephone: (757) 932-8978 (Text & Mobile Friendly)

    “Transforming Service into World-Class Citizenship. Powered by CommerceWise by Tony Astro: Where Transitions Become Triumphs.”

    Head Office: #1 Columbus Tower Suite 610 Town Center Dr.Corner Main Street Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462Telephone: (757) 932-8978 (Text & Mobile Friendly)

    “Transforming Service into World-Class Citizenship. Powered by CommerceWise by Tony Astro: Where Transitions Become Triumphs.”

    Veteran Benefits Directory

    StateVET: your fast track to state benefits, offices, and verified links

    Search or browse all 50 states + DC. Each page centralizes veterans’ benefits, state VA departments, FFSC/transition contacts, and trusted resources—curated by Dr. Tony Astro.

    Northeast • Midwest • South • West • DC

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