Tax and Special Benefits for People with Disabilities in South Carolina

Home Tax and Special Benefits for People with Disabilities in South Carolina

South Carolina offers several tax breaks and other benefits to make life more affordable for people with disabilities. These laws recognize that people with disabilities may face extra costs or barriers when it comes to housing, transportation, and recreation.

Some benefits apply to all people with disabilities, while others apply only to certain disabilities or situations, such as veterans with service-connected disabilities or people who are blind.

This guide explains the main state programs that provide financial savings or fee reductions, including property tax exemptions, vehicle benefits, free or reduced parking, reduced fees for state parks, and free hunting and fishing licenses.

Property Taxes on Housing

Some people with disabilities, veterans, and older adults may not have to pay property tax on their home. These exemptions apply to the house you live in and up to an acre of property.

Types of Exemptions

People with Certain Types of Paralysis

If you have paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body) or hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body), the home you live in and up to one acre of land are fully exempt from state and local property taxes.

This exemption also applies if you have Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and your condition causes the same level of difficulty walking as someone with paralysis.

You can own the property jointly with your spouse.

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220(B)(2)(a))

Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, and Firefighters

If you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, a law enforcement officer, or a firefighter who is 100% permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected injury or illness, the home you live in with a lot not larger than one acre are fully exempt from state and local property taxes.

You can own the property jointly with your spouse. In some cases, your surviving spouse may also qualify for this benefit.

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220(B)(1)(f))

People Who Are Older, Blind, or Totally and Permanently Disabled

If you are totally and permanently disabled, blind, or age 65 or older, you do not have to pay taxes on the first $50,000 of your home’s value.

If no agency has determined you are disabled yet, you can apply for a disability determination through the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

You can own the property jointly with your spouse.

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Sections 12-37-220(A)(9) and 12-37-250(A)(1)(i)–(iii))

How to Apply

The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) reviews and approves all property tax exemption requests.

You can also ask your county Auditor’s Office for help with the process.

Property Tax on Vehicles

Some people with disabilities and their families may not have to pay property tax on certain vehicles.

Types of Exemptions

People Who Use Wheelchairs

If you use a wheelchair and qualify for disability license plates, you do not have to pay property tax on up to two personal vehicles that you own or lease. The vehicles can be owned by you alone or jointly with someone else.

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Sections 12-37-220(B)(27) and 56-3-1910(A))

Guardians of Children Who are Blind or Use Wheelchairs

If you are the legal guardian of a child who is blind or uses a wheelchair, you do not have to pay property tax on one vehicle that you own or lease if it is used to transport the child.

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220(B)(37))

Disabled Veterans

If you are a disabled veteran with special license tags or a certificate showing you are totally and permanently disabled, you do not have to pay property tax on up to two personal vehicles that you own or lease.

If you pass away, the exemption continues for one vehicle owned by your surviving spouse.

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 12-37-220(B)(3))

How to Apply

The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) reviews and approves all vehicle property tax exemption requests.

Vehicle Registration Fee

People with disabilities can pay a reduced fee of $36 instead of the full license fee when registering passenger vehicles for a disability license plate.

If you have a hybrid or electric vehicle you will still be required to pay the additional fee that applies to those vehicles.

You may qualify for a disability plate and this reduced fee if you have a disability that:

  • Makes it hard to walk or requires the use of a wheelchair, braces, walker, or crutches
  • Causes loss of use of one or both legs
  • Involves lung disease that requires a respirator while walking
  • Causes a mobility impairment
  • You also qualify if you are considered totally and permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Note: This same reduced rate is available to all people aged 65 or older for regular license plates.

How to Apply

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Sections 56-3-620; 56-3-1910; and 56-3-1950)

Free Parking

People with Disabilities

People with disabilities may park in metered or timed parking spaces in a city without paying the fees. This includes:

  • Meters on city streets
  • Parking lots or garages owned or operated by local governments
  • State government parking lots and garages may also allow free parking for people with disabilities

You can park in spaces with time limits (for example, 2-hour limits). You cannot park where signs completely prohibit parking (for example, “no parking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.”).

To qualify, your vehicle must have:

  • A disability license plate, or
  • A disability placard hanging from the rearview mirror (or on the driver’s side dashboard if it cannot hang)

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Sections 56-3-1950, 1960, and 1965)

Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a disability do not have to pay city parking meter fees if their vehicle has a “disabled veteran” license plate.

To get this plate, you need documentation from the U.S., regional, or county Veterans Affairs showing that you are a wartime disabled veteran who:

  • Is entitled to compensation for the loss of use of one or both legs or arms, or
  • Has a permanent impairment of vision in both eyes (virtual blindness) and is entitled to a special monthly statutory award, or
  • Is a South Carolina veteran classified as totally and permanently disabled due to service-connected disabilities

If you want to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities, the SC DMV also requires a physician’s statement confirming that your disability qualifies you for the standard SC Disabled License Plate or Placard. Your disabled veteran plate will then display a wheelchair symbol.

Learn More:

SCDMV

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 56-5-2585)

Reduced Admission Fees at State Parks

South Carolina residents who are 100% disabled, blind, or age 65 and older may enter state parks and use campsites, overnight lodging, and recreation buildings at reduced rates (at least 35% off regular rates).

For this law, “disabled” means a person who is unable to perform substantial gainful employment because of a medical condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months. This is the same standard used for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). People receiving SSDI or SSI qualify.

The law also covers veterans who are classified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as permanently and totally disabled.

How to Apply

  • Show proof of disability (certificate from a medical provider or agency that makes determinations of blindness or disability).

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Sections 51-3-60 and 51-3-65)

Fishing and Hunting Licenses: No Fee

People who are disabled and receiving benefits from certain agencies may get South Carolina hunting and fishing licenses at no cost.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes disability determinations from:

  • Social Security Administration (SSA)
  • Federal civil service
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Railroad Retirement Board
  • Medicaid
  • South Carolina State Retirement System

To qualify, you must have been a South Carolina resident for at least one year.

Free licenses must be renewed every three years, and you must provide recertification of your disability. However, people with quadriplegia or paraplegia who are certified as totally disabled receive a lifetime license.

How to Apply

  • Download SCDNR Application Form 
  • Include a photocopy of your unexpired SC Driver’s License or SCDMV issued ID Card.
  • Include a current copy (dated within the past 12 months) of your disability certification from one of the following programs that declares you disabled and eligible to receive disability benefits.
    • Social Security Administration
    • SC Retirement System
    • Railroad Retirement Board
    • US Department of Veteran Affairs
    • Federal Civil Service
    • Medicaid
  • If you are paraplegic or quadriplegic include an official statement from your physician
  • Mail to: SCDNR, PO Box 11710, Columbia, SC 29211-1710

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 50-9-525)

SC Law Reference (SC Code Ann. Section 50-9-30(A)(3))

Vehicle Permit in Wildlife Areas

People with permanent physical disabilities may use special areas in South Carolina Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, photography, and educational activities.

The Mobility Impaired Vehicle Permit allows the permit holder and an assistant to drive on roads that are not normally open to the public.

How to Apply

Disability Rights South Carolina is the Protection and Advocacy System for South Carolina. This publication provides legal information but is not intended to be legal advice. As the law may change, please contact Disability Rights South Carolina for updates. Please let us know if you would like this information in an alternative format.

This publication was made possible by funding, in part, by SAMHSA. These contents are solely the responsibility of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMHSA.

Last updated: 2026

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