Charleston County Veterans Affairs Office

Every South Carolina county has a veterans' affairs officer under section 25-11-40; see the South Carolina entry on county veterans affairs officers. Charleston County runs the office in the Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building, 4045 Bridge View Dr., N. Charleston, SC 29405, Suite B-154; phone (843) 974-6360, fax (843) 745-2354, [email protected]; Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office notes the state mandate: "On March 22, 1945, the SC General Assembly adopted a bill creating a Veterans Affairs (VA) office in each of the state's 46 counties. Although mandated by the legislature, employees in this office are employed by Charleston County, not the Federal VA." Who. "David J. LeBlanc, Sr., Director ... Melody S. Popovich, Deputy Director ... Anne S. Owen, Veterans Service Officer ... Christine S. Rucker, Veterans Service Officer ... Amily Williams, Veterans Service Officer ... Elissa Chanco, Veterans Service Officer ... Kathryn O. Tillman, Administrative Assistant." Exemptions. The office describes the State's two: "In accordance to SC Law 12-37-220, a dwelling and the lot (up to five acres) on which it is situated is exempt from real property taxes by state, county or municipality. The effective date of the tax exemption is dependent upon the ownership of the property on December 31 of the year prior to the Veteran being rated as permanent and totally disabled." And the vehicle one: "In accordance to SC Law 56-3-110, no more than two personal motor vehicles owned or leased by a disabled Veteran for which special license tags have been issued by the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) shall be exempt from state, county, and municipal taxes." It adds the DOR mechanics: "The SC Department of Revenue will issue a Certificate of Exemption of Property and will forward it to the Charleston County Auditor's office." Discharges. "Veterans are encouraged to record their military discharges (DD-214) with the Veterans Affairs Office. The original will be returned to the Veteran and certified copies can be made if needed. If you are unable to locate a discharge for a WWII Veteran or surviving spouse, we have WWII Roster books with discharge information in our office."