Benefit programs in South Carolina (2026)
For families in South Carolina we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of South Carolina's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
South Carolina families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 7 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. South Carolina also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Homestead Exemption (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-250). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. South Carolina also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does South Carolina Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. South Carolina runs 7 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "SC Community Choices Waiver (0405.R05.00)" and "SC Community Supports (CS) Waiver (0676.R03.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask South Carolina Medicaid, or call 1-800-868-9095.
- SC Community Choices Waiver (0405.R05.00)
- SC Community Supports (CS) Waiver (0676.R03.00)
- SC Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Waiver (0284.R06.00)
- SC HIV/AIDS Waiver (0186.R08.00)
- SC Intellectual Disability and Related Disabilities (ID/RD) Waiver (0237.R06.00)
- SC Mechanical Ventilator Dependent Waiver (40181.R06.00)
- SC Medically Complex Children Waiver (0675.R03.00)
See how South Carolina's Medicaid rules compare with other states
What property tax relief is available to seniors in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Homestead Exemption (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-250). Complete exemption of property tax on the first $50,000 of the fair market value of the legal residence (primary owner-occupied home). Administered by the county Auditor; no income test. That figure is confirmed against South Carolina's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). South Carolina runs 2 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-868-9095 and ask which apply to you.
6 programs in South Carolina. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead Exemption (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-250) GOV VERIFIED | Complete exemption of property tax on the first $50,000 of the fair market value of the legal residence (primary owner-occupied home). Administered by the county Auditor; no income test. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV | Full (100%) property tax exemption on the veteran's house/dwelling and up to five (5) acres of surrounding land constituting the legal residence, PLUS up to two private passenger vehicles owned or leased by the veteran (or qualifying surviving spouse). | Official source → |
| Property Tax Exemption for Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, or Quadriplegic Persons (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV | Full property tax exemption on the dwelling house and lot not exceeding one (1) acre owned by (or jointly with spouse) a person who is paraplegic, hemiplegic, or has a similar permanent disability. Surviving spouse may continue the exemption. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV | Full property tax exemption on the dwelling home and lot not exceeding five (5) acres for a South Carolina law enforcement officer or firefighter who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability. Surviving spouse of one killed in the line of duty may qualify under the same conditions as a disabled veteran's surviving spouse. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Exemption for Medal of Honor Recipients and Former Prisoners of War (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV | Full property tax exemption on the dwelling home and lot not exceeding one (1) acre. Medal of Honor recipients are additionally exempt on two private passenger vehicles (vehicle exemption does not extend to the surviving spouse). POW exemption applies to former prisoners of war from WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam Conflict. | Official source → |
| School Operating Tax Exemption for Owner-Occupied Homes (Act 388 of 2006 / 'Property Tax Relief') ANALYSIS | Owner-occupied legal residences (assessed at the 4% ratio) are exempt from ALL property taxes levied for school district operating costs (does not exempt school debt-service millage). Not targeted at seniors specifically, but a major relief that all senior/disabled/veteran homeowners receive on their primary residence. NOTE: this is a general owner-occupant relief, not a population-restricted program. | Official source → |
Homestead Exemption (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-250) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Complete exemption of property tax on the first $50,000 of the fair market value of the legal residence (primary owner-occupied home). Administered by the county Auditor; no income test.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Exemption for Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV
- Benefit
Full (100%) property tax exemption on the veteran's house/dwelling and up to five (5) acres of surrounding land constituting the legal residence, PLUS up to two private passenger vehicles owned or leased by the veteran (or qualifying surviving spouse).
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Exemption for Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, or Quadriplegic Persons (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV
- Benefit
Full property tax exemption on the dwelling house and lot not exceeding one (1) acre owned by (or jointly with spouse) a person who is paraplegic, hemiplegic, or has a similar permanent disability. Surviving spouse may continue the exemption.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV
- Benefit
Full property tax exemption on the dwelling home and lot not exceeding five (5) acres for a South Carolina law enforcement officer or firefighter who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability. Surviving spouse of one killed in the line of duty may qualify under the same conditions as a disabled veteran's surviving spouse.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Exemption for Medal of Honor Recipients and Former Prisoners of War (SC Code Ann. Sec. 12-37-220(B)) GOV
- Benefit
Full property tax exemption on the dwelling home and lot not exceeding one (1) acre. Medal of Honor recipients are additionally exempt on two private passenger vehicles (vehicle exemption does not extend to the surviving spouse). POW exemption applies to former prisoners of war from WWI, WWII, the Korean Conflict, or the Vietnam Conflict.
- Official source
- Official source →
School Operating Tax Exemption for Owner-Occupied Homes (Act 388 of 2006 / 'Property Tax Relief') ANALYSIS
- Benefit
Owner-occupied legal residences (assessed at the 4% ratio) are exempt from ALL property taxes levied for school district operating costs (does not exempt school debt-service millage). Not targeted at seniors specifically, but a major relief that all senior/disabled/veteran homeowners receive on their primary residence. NOTE: this is a general owner-occupant relief, not a population-restricted program.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in South Carolina?
Up to $850 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum South Carolina's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $1,000 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/SC.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In South Carolina the published heating maximum is $850. Crisis maximum: $1,000. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in South Carolina: South Carolina fully exempts Social Security benefits and Railroad Retirement benefits from state individual income tax (any amount taxed at the federal level is deducted on the SC return). Confirmed by SCDOR.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Retirement Income Deduction: a taxpayer receiving qualifying retirement income (pension, IRA, 401(k), and similar plan distributions) may deduct up to $3,000 per year before age 65 and up to $10,000 per year at age 65 and older, per taxpayer. Separately, the Age 65 and Older Deduction allows up to $15,000 against ANY South Carolina taxable income for a resident 65+; however this $15,000 is reduced dollar-for-dollar by any retirement-income deduction claimed (e.g., claiming the $10,000 retirement deduction leaves $5,000 of the age-65 deduction). Military retirement pay is 100% exempt from SC income tax. No income-based property-tax circuit breaker, senior assessment freeze, or property-tax deferral exists in SC (per Lincoln Institute cross-check); the only assessment limit is a general 15%-per-5-year cap under Act 388 that applies to all property, not seniors specifically.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in South Carolina too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in South Carolina for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-868-9095. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in South Carolina. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 888-227-3487.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-800-868-9095Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.