South Carolina Disability Advocacy Day

It is time to prepare for the Self-Advocates' Rally, scheduled for March 7, 2012 at 11:30AM at the back of the State House steps. Deona Lindholm, Secretary of IMPACT SC and acting Secretary of the South Carolina Partnership of Disability Organizations (SCPDO) is looking for speakers for the day.  Some possible topics are:

Medical Crisis (Medicaid/Medicare)

At-Home Services for People with Disabilities

Transportation

Economy

Employment 

Waiver Lists

Day Programs

Each speech should last from 3-5 minutes.If you would like to present a speech, please contact Deona Lindholm at deonal@embarqmail.com before February 1, 2012.  

TAX AND SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina has special tax and other benefits for people with disabilities. Some laws apply only to specific disabilities. To qualify, a person may need to submit an application and proof of disability.

PROPERTY TAXES ON HOUSING

1. The dwelling house and one acre of land owned and used by a person who is paraplegic or hemiplegic is totally exempt from state and local property taxes. A person with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) is also allowed this exemption if it causes the same ambulatory difficulties as a person with paraplegia or hemiplegia. Property may be owned jointly with a spouse. SC Code Ann.§12-37-220(B)(2)(a)

2. The dwelling house and one acre of land owned and used by a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, law enforcement officer, or firefighter and who is 100% permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disability, is exempt from state and local property taxes. The same property may be owned jointly with a spouse. SC Code Ann. §12-37-220 (B)(1)(a)

3. The dwelling house owned and used by a person who is totally and permanently disabled (as determined by a state or federal agency) OR a person who is blind is exempt from taxes on the first $50,000 in value of the house. This exemption also applies to anyone age 65 or over. A person who has not yet been determined disabled by any other agency may apply to the S.C. Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for a determination. The property may be owned jointly with a spouse. SC Code Ann. § 12-37-220 (A)(9) and 250(A)((1)(i)-(iii)

PROPERTY TAX ON VEHICLES

1. Up to two personal motor vehicles owned or leased by person who uses a wheelchair are exempt from property tax. The vehicles may be owned solely or jointly. SC Code Ann. §12-37-220 (B)(27)

2. One personal motor vehicle owned or leased by guardian of a child who is blind or uses a wheelchair is exempt from property tax. SC Code Ann. §12-37-220 (B)(37)

3. Up to two private passenger vehicles owned or leased by disabled veteran who has special license tags or a certificate verifying total and permanent disability is exempt from property tax. SC Code Ann. §12-37-220 (B)(3)

Updated August 27, 2010. Please check with appropriate state and local offices to ensure current status. This information does not constitute a promise of exemption, and is based on information available as of July, 2010. Please check with appropriate offices in your area concerning the specifics. If you experience difficulties in obtaining exemptions you feel you are entitled to, we recommend that you contact Protection and Advocacy.