North Carolina

Print-and-take checklist. Tick each box as you go, and keep it with your paperwork.

• Find your free county Veterans Service Officer at milvets.nc.gov county offices; they certify most of the forms below at no cost.
• Gather your core documents: VA award or benefits summary letter (dated within the last year) and your DD Form 214 showing an honorable or under honorable conditions discharge.
• Property tax: get Form NCDVA-9 certified by your Veterans Service Officer, complete Form AV-9 from NCDOR, and file both at your county tax office by June 1.
• Property tax: confirm which pathway fits you (100 percent schedular, Individual Unemployability at the 100 percent rate, specially adapted housing, or unremarried surviving spouse) with your Veterans Service Officer.
• State income tax: claim the military retirement deduction on Form D-400, Schedule S if it applies; verify against NCDOR Bailey Decision.
• Disabled veteran plate: complete Form MVR-33A from NC DMV, get it certified by a Veterans Service Officer, then take it to a DMV plate office (plate fee waived at 100 percent or Individual Unemployability paid at the 100 percent rate).
• Partially disabled veteran plate: ask your Veterans Service Officer about the Partially Disabled Veteran plate if your rating is below 100 percent.
• State parks: request your free annual pass and attach your VA Summary of Benefits letter at NC State Parks free pass; remember to request it again every calendar year.
• Hunting and fishing: if you are 50 percent or more disabled, apply for the resident disabled veteran lifetime license at DMVA or NC Wildlife.
• Education: if you have a child under 25, apply for the Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans at the DMVA scholarship portal and check the deadline for your class.
• State job preference: read the NC OSHR veterans preference policy and register on NCWorks Online for early access to job postings.
• State veterans home: if you or your veteran needs skilled nursing care, review eligibility at NC State Veterans Homes.
• Honored plates: if you hold the Purple Heart, are a former prisoner of war, or are a Medal of Honor recipient, apply with Form MVR-33A through your Veterans Service Officer at Military and Veteran License Plates.
• Any VA claim, rating, appeal, or Individual Unemployability question: take it to a free VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer. Never pay anyone to file or certify a VA claim.

Full step-by-step guide: ratednowwhat.com/benefits-by-state#h2_5741a205

Education only. Not the VA, not a government agency, and not financial, tax, or legal advice. Help with a VA claim or rating is always free through a VA-accredited Veteran Service Officer.