Veterans living in or moving to the Tar Heel State are eligible for numerous state, local, and national benefits and services, as a result of their honorable service to the nation. As a starting point, the state’s Department of Military and Veteran Affairs maintains a comprehensive website and program called NC4VETS, dedicated to making North Carolina the “state of choice for veterans,” and working to ensure veterans and their dependents are connected to all of their hard-earned benefits. The site features and easy search tool that connects you to your closest Veterans Service Officer (VSO) based on your zip code, as well as a veterans resource guide.

Finding quality health care is always a primary concern for veterans and their families, and the state of North Carolina is home to several VA medical facilities, including four main medical centers in Asheville, Durham, Fayetteville, and Salisbury. These medical centers offer a full range of primary and secondary care, specialty services, and special programs for caregivers, female veterans, and homeless veterans. You can check your eligibility and make appointments online through the center’s website. Additionally, veterans can access care at sites across the state, including seven outpatient clinics and 19 community-based outpatient clinics.

Veterans who must travel for medical care, or simply need help getting to and from appointments, may be eligible for transportation assistance from the NC Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Transportation Program, the VA’s travel reimbursement program, or the VA Hospital Transportation Services. Reservations are typically required several days before the appointment. Additionally, veterans and citizens looking to volunteer can find volunteers opportunities with the DAV’s driver volunteer program.

Veterans looking to enjoy North Carolina’s many natural resources and outdoor activities may benefit from discounted licenses and admission fees. All North Carolina veterans who are 50% or more disabled may purchase a discounted lifetime hunting-fishing license by visiting their local wild life commission or downloading a free application online. When returning an application, bring a copy of your VA decision letter awarding a 50% or greater disability rating and a check or money order. Additionally, the NC aquariums in Roanoke, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort Fisher, and Jennette’s Pier are all wheelchair accessible and offer discount military/veteran prices.

For North Carolina senior veterans needing long-term care and housing options, the state offers four full-service state veterans homes. They are located in Fayetteville (adjacent to the VA Medical Center), in Salisbury (on the W.G. Hefner Medical Center campus), in Kinston, and in Black Mountain. To be eligible for admission, a veteran must have served in the Armed Forces for other than training purposes, have received an honorable discharge, resided in North Carolina at least 24 months prior to the date of application, been referred by a licensed physician and be in need of skilled nursing care, and must be disabled by reason of age, disease, or other reasons. Each home offers from 100-150 beds and accepts Medicare and Medicaid.

Honorably discharged North Carolina veterans and certain dependents are eligible for a burial with honors, at no cost, in any of the four state veteran cemeteries (Black Mountain, Spring Lake, Jacksonville, and Goldsboro), or in the Salisbury National Veterans Cemetery (the three other national cemeteries in the state are no longer accepting interments). For eligible veterans who died on or after Nov. 1, 1990 and whose grave is marked with a privately purchased headstone, the VA may also furnish a headstone or marker to supplement the grave or a medallion to be affixed to the privately purchased headstone. The state and national cemeteries in North Carolina also typically host memorial events throughout the year and offer a reflective and peaceful location for veterans to visit and pay honor to their fellow veterans who have passed on before them.

To find out what veterans benefits exist in other states in the U.S. please visit our complete Veterans Benefits by State guide here.

North Carolina Veterans Benefit for Assisted Living

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit is available to North Carolina senior veterans and their spouses to help pay for senior care like assisted living, home care, or nursing home care. Here is more information on how the Aid and Attendance benefit helps North Carolina veterans.

Written by Megan Hammons