South Dakota veteran benefits
Veteran Compass lists 24 South Dakota programs for veterans and their families. Each one links to the official government page, because rules, amounts and deadlines change. This is a guide to what is worth looking into, not a decision about whether you qualify. Federal VA benefits, such as health care, disability compensation and the GI Bill, also apply in South Dakota; see the full directory or use the Benefit Finder.
Burial
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery
The South Dakota Veterans Cemetery lists burial at no cost for the eligible veteran, with a fee for spouses and dependents. Arrangements are made at time of need through the cemetery.
Who it may help: The cemetery verifies the veteran's eligibility with a DD-214 or other service records. A spouse or dependent is buried based on the veteran's eligibility. Services are scheduled first come, first served after eligibility is verified. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
South Dakota State Veterans Burial Allowance
South Dakota may pay a small amount toward burial and funeral expenses for veterans or their spouses when the family lacks funds.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged veterans or their spouses; the veteran must have been a U.S. citizen and South Dakota resident for one year before service or death, and funds must be insufficient. A county or tribal VSO submits the application within one year of the burial. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Headstone Setting and Etching Reimbursement
The state reimburses part of the cost of setting a government-provided headstone or marker, and a smaller amount for professionally etching military information on the back of a privately bought headstone.
Who it may help: Veteran must have been a South Dakota resident for one year before entering service or one year before death. A county or tribal veterans service officer submits the application to the Pierre office within one year of when the marker was set. The page does not list required documents. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Education
South Dakota Free Tuition for Veterans
South Dakota provides free undergraduate tuition at state-supported universities or technical colleges to eligible veterans for a period tied to their months of service.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged veterans who are South Dakota residents with in-state tuition status and who are not eligible for GI Bill or other federal education benefits. Apply with a DD-214 to the SD Department of Veterans Affairs. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
South Dakota National Guard Tuition Reduction
Active South Dakota Army or Air National Guard members may receive a tuition reduction at state-supported or in-state nonprofit postsecondary schools.
Who it may help: Must be an active member of the SD Army or Air Guard through each term, complete required training, attend drills as the page describes, and meet admission requirements. Federal tuition assistance must be used first. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Employment
South Dakota Veterans Preference in State and Local Employment
South Dakota gives qualifying veterans preference in appointment, employment and promotion at state, county, municipal and school district levels, including a guaranteed interview if minimum qualifications are met.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged U.S. citizen veteran meeting state law conditions (SDCL 33A-2). Some unmarried spouses of veterans who died in service or of service-connected causes, and spouses of disabled veterans who cannot use it, may also qualify. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Military Commercial Driver License Test Waivers
Current and recently separated military members with qualifying military commercial driving experience may have the CDL skills test waived. A second route (Even Exchange) can waive both knowledge and skills tests for certain listed military job codes.
Who it may help: Must be a South Dakota resident with a valid SD license, within one year of separating or retiring (Guard and Reserve included), and have a military license for operating military commercial vehicles. Even Exchange requires recent regular work in a listed job code. Hazardous materials and school bus endorsements are not covered, and a military-completed application section and records are required. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Department of Labor Employment Services for Veterans
The state Department of Labor and Regulation provides job-search help for veterans, including resumes, interview preparation, matching military skills to civilian jobs, and referrals to openings. Disabled veterans can get more intensive employment assistance.
Who it may help: Job-seeking veterans, including disabled veterans and newly separated or transitioning service members. Contact the Department of Labor and Regulation office in Pierre listed on the page. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Family
South Dakota Free Tuition for Dependents of Deceased Service Members, POWs and MIAs
South Dakota offers free tuition at state-supported schools for certain children of service members killed or who died on active duty, and for children and spouses of POWs and MIAs.
Who it may help: Children under 25 who are South Dakota residents whose parent was killed in action or died on active duty and met the residency rule, or children and spouses of POWs or MIAs not eligible for federal benefits of equal or greater value. The application form (Form E-12) is available from a school or the SD Department of Veterans Affairs. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Financial
South Dakota Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
South Dakota exempts part of the assessed value of qualifying owner-occupied property for a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition.
Who it may help: The property must be owned and occupied by the disabled veteran or an unremarried surviving spouse. Applications go to the county assessor by November 1. See the brochure linked on the page for further details. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
South Dakota Veterans Bonus
A South Dakota state bonus for people who served on active duty during listed service periods beginning in 1990. The page does not say whether funding is currently available or give an application deadline.
Who it may help: Must have been a South Dakota resident for at least six months before the active duty period and served in one of the listed periods (some periods count only service in qualifying hostile areas). Active duty for training does not count. Applications go to the SD Veterans Bonus office in Pierre, and the page does not state a deadline. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Healthcare
Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans Home (Hot Springs)
South Dakota's state veterans home admits eligible veterans and, in some cases, spouses and surviving spouses. Preference is given to certain South Dakota-connected veterans.
Who it may help: Veterans eligible for per diem for domiciliary or nursing home care in a state home. Preference for those domiciled in South Dakota in the past five years and members of federally recognized tribes. The page does not describe application steps; call 605-519-5445. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Legal
County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers
State law requires each county to employ a county veterans service officer, and tribes may appoint tribal officers. The page lists topics they assist with, such as VA compensation and pensions, the State Veterans' Home, correction of military records and discharge review, and burial and headstone allowances.
Who it may help: The page names veterans, veterans' widows, dependent children of veterans, and dependent parents of service members who died in service as clients. The page does not mention fees. Find your officer through the state Department of Veterans Affairs. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
State Veterans Claims Assistance
The state Department of Veterans Affairs helps veterans and dependents prepare, file and track VA claims and explains the appeals process if a claim is denied. State veterans service officers work at the VA Regional Office in Sioux Falls and in Pierre.
Who it may help: The page says the officers serve South Dakota veterans and their dependents. It names the county or tribal veterans service officer as the first local contact. Items the page suggests bringing include the DD-214, a voided check for direct deposit, medical and treatment records, and dependency documents. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Veterans Treatment Court
South Dakota lists Veterans Court among its four treatment court types, and the Pennington County Veterans Court is described as a sentencing alternative for justice-involved veterans. The page does not explain eligibility or enrollment.
Who it may help: Contact the Division of Treatment Courts or the treatment court page for your judicial circuit. The page does not list veterans court locations beyond Pennington County, and it does not state eligibility rules. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Other
Veteran Designation on Driver License or ID Card
You can have the word Veteran printed on the front of a South Dakota driver license or non-driver ID card. It is optional and is requested at a driver license office.
Who it may help: Veteran honorably discharged from the military. Bring one accepted document, such as a DD-214 showing honorable discharge, DD Form 2 (Retired), DD Form 2A (Reserve Retired), NGB Form 22, a Uniformed Services retiree ID, or a certificate signed by a county or tribal veterans service officer. The usual duplicate or renewal fee applies; the page lists no amount. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Filing Your DD-214 and Discharge Records Help
Veterans are encouraged to record their discharge papers with the county Register of Deeds so a copy survives if the original is lost. County or tribal veterans service officers can also request certified copies and help with duplicate awards or discharge upgrades.
Who it may help: Aimed at veterans who want a copy of discharge papers on record. See a county or tribal veterans service officer to record or get copies; if records are not on file with the state or Register of Deeds, they can request a certified copy from the National Personnel Records Center. The state department also keeps records for some veterans, such as through the bonus. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Recreation
South Dakota Lifetime Park Entrance License for Disabled Veterans, POWs and Purple Heart Recipients
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks offers a lifetime park entrance license and a camping discount to qualifying resident veterans.
Who it may help: South Dakota residents with a K award or VA letter showing 100% total service-connected disability, or POW or Purple Heart documentation. Apply through Go Outdoors South Dakota and upload documents. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Reduced-Fee Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Veterans and Former POWs
Game, Fish and Parks offers a reduced-fee hunting and fishing license, valid four years, to certain disabled veterans and former prisoners of war. Applicants mail a form with verification papers and the application fee.
Who it may help: South Dakota resident who meets one of the listed routes: a VA letter showing the K award or a veterans allotment for a service-connected disability of 40 percent or more; a Social Security letter showing 40 percent disability plus proof of service; or discharge papers verifying POW status. Additional requirements apply; confirm with Game, Fish and Parks. Apply by mail with proof and the fee. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Military Provisions for Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Game, Fish and Parks lets active-duty residents stationed outside the state hunt small game and fish without a fee or license, and lets residents absent on active duty receive deer, turkey and antelope licenses. Active-duty members continuously stationed in South Dakota and their spouses remain residents.
Who it may help: Active-duty residents carry military orders and a valid military ID. Migratory bird hunting still needs a state certificate and, if required, a federal stamp. Reservists or Guard on active duty for training are not covered by the fee-free license. Nonresident Guard and reserve members in a South Dakota unit may buy resident small game and fishing licenses. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Transportation
South Dakota Veteran License Plates
South Dakota offers veteran license plates for the branches of service, with a special plate fee on initial application.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty and are South Dakota residents with an active SD driver license or ID. Apply using form 1302. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
South Dakota Disabled Veteran and Medal Specialty Plates
South Dakota offers specialty military plates, including Disabled Veteran, POW, Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivor, and Gold Star, with reduced fees for some types.
Who it may help: South Dakota residents who meet each plate's criteria and verification. Disabled Veteran, POW, Purple Heart and Pearl Harbor Survivor plates list a yearly $10 charge with no registration fee. Apply with form MV-4000. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Extended Driver License Validity for Active-Duty Members and Dependents
Active-duty members and their dependents get extended driver license validity while the member serves and they are outside South Dakota. The license stays valid for a limited period after they return or the member separates honorably.
Who it may help: Active-duty member or dependent holding a South Dakota license. The page describes validity continuing during service and while outside the state, plus up to 90 days after return or honorable separation. For renewals or duplicates, those stationed overseas or in another state use the address documents the page lists. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Free Highly Rural Transportation Program
Veterans in listed rural South Dakota counties can ride free to VA medical appointments and other approved medical appointments. The page says the program is funded through VA Highly Rural Transportation Grants.
Who it may help: Veteran living in one of the listed counties (the page names 38 counties). Call River City Transit or Prairie Hills Transit to schedule; the page says a family member or friend may ride along. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
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