|
|
|
ELECTIONS. 1. Absentee Registration and Voting. Persons who are in the armed forces, their spouses, veterans in government hospitals, etc., who are otherwise qualified to vote many register and vote by mail in primaries and general elections, subject to the procedural details set forth in the law. (GS 163-245) 2. Disabled Voters, Primary or General Elections. a. Assistance in Voting. Handicapped voters are entitled to assistance as prescribed in the law, in getting to and from the voting booth and in marking their ballots. Additional procedures apply to blind persons. (GS 163-152; GS 163-152.1) b. Voting Outside the Voting Enclosure. Voters who are able to travel to the voting place, but because of age, physical disability or physical barriers encountered at the voting place are unable to enter same without physical assistance, may vote from their vehicles or in the immediate proximity of the voting place, subject to certain procedures prescribed by law. (GS 163-155) EMPLOYMENT. Preference in State Government employment is granted to veterans, their surviving spouses or the spouses of disabled veterans, without regard to age, provided they are otherwise qualified. (GS 126-80 to 126-83; GS 128-15). Military leave with preemployment rights is also granted State employees. (GS 128-39; GS 165-43). The Employment Service Division of the Employment Security Commission assists in endeavoring to secure suitable employment for disabled veterans. (05 96-21). Any person desiring information and assistance with matters related to employment and job placement should contact the nearest local employment office of the Employment Security Commission. Veterans Employment Representatives are available to render specialized service for veterans. Carteret County's Veterans Employment Representative is Mr. Bob Pyer at Employment Securities Commission, Morehead City, NC. GUARDIANS. State law provides for the appointment and supervision of guardians for incompetent veterans, incompetent dependents of veterans and minor dependents of members of the armed forces or veterans in certain circumstances, to manage US finds payable to such persons. (05 34) HANDICAPPED PARKING PRIVILEGES. Disabled veterans issued a registration plate pursuant to GS 20-79.4 (See LICENSES) are entitled to park in spaces designated for the handicapped and unlimited parking time in most parking zones having time restrictions. (GS 20-79.4[8]) LEAVE, MILITARY, FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. See EMPLOYMENT LICENSES. 1. Hunting and Fishing. a. All 50% or more disabled war veterans may obtain a lifetime hunting-fishing license upon the payment of $7.50. (GS 113-270.2[9]; GS 113-271[d][8]) b. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in North Carolina, their spouses and their dependents under age 18 residing with them are deemed residents of North Carolina for the purpose of purchasing licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission. (GS 113-130[4][e]) 2. Auto License Plates. (1) American Legion. - Issuable to a member or a supporter of the American Legion. The plate shall bear the words "American Legion" and the emblem of the American Legion. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate. (GS 20-79.4 [2a]) (2) Disabled Veteran. - Issuable to a veterans of the armed forces of the United States who suffered a 100% service-connected disability. (GS 20-79.4[8]) (3) Legion of Valor. - Issuable to a recipient of one of the following military decorations: the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross. The plate shall bear the emblem and name of the recipient's decoration. (GS 20-79.4 [13a]) (4) Military Reservist. - Issuable to a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States. The plate shall bear the name and insignia of the appropriate reserve component. Plates shall be numbered sequentially for the members of a component with the numbers 1 through 5000 reserved for officers, without regard to rank. (GS 20-79.4 [16]) (5) Military Retiree. - Issuable to an individual who has retired from the armed forces of the United States. The plate shall bear the word "Retired" and the name and insignia of the branch of service from which the individual retired. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate. (GS 20-79.4 [16a]) (6) National Guard Member. - Issuable to an active or a retired member of the North Carolina National Guard. The plate shall bear the phrase "National Guard". A plate issued to an active member shall bear a number that reflects the seniority of the member; a plate issued to a commissioned officer shall begin with the number "1"; a plate issued to a noncommissioned officer with a rank of E7, E8, or E9 shall begin with the number "1601"; a plate issued to an enlisted member with a rank of E6 or below shall begin with the number "3001". The plate issued to a retired or separated member shall indicate the member's retired status. (GS 20-79.4 [17]) (7) Partially Disabled Veteran. - Issuable to a veteran of the armed forces of the United States who suffered a service connected disability of less than 100%. (GS 20-79.4[18]) (8) Pearl Harbor Survivor. - Issuable to a veteran of the armed forces of the United States who was present at and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The plate will bear the phrase "Pearl Harbor survivor" and the insignia of the Pearl Harbor survivors' Association. (GS 20-79.4[19]) (9) Prisoner of War. - Issuable to the following: a. A member or veteran member of the armed forces of the United States who has been captured and held prisoner by forces hostile to the United States while serving in the armed forces. b. The surviving spouse of a person who had a prisoner of war plate at the time of death so long as the surviving spouse continues to renew the plate and does not remarry. (GS 20-79.4[21]) (10) Purple Heart Recipient. - Issuable to a recipient of the Purple Heart award. The plate shall bear the phrase "Purple Heart Veteran, Combat Wounded" and the letters "PH". (GS 20-79.4 [22]) (11) Veterans of Foreign Wars. - Issuable to a member of a supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The plate shall bear the words "Veterans of Foreign Wars" or "VFW" and the emblem of the VFW. The Division may not issue the plate authorized by this subdivision unless it receives at least 300 applications for the plate. (GS 20-79.4[28]) (12) Fees. - Upon request, the Division shall provide and issue free of charge one registration plate to a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, a 100% disabled veteran, and an ex-prisoner of war. MI other special registration plates are subject to the regular motor vehicle registration fees. (GS 20-79.7) LOANS. None. RECORDS. 1. Discharges. The Register of Deeds of any North Carolina county is required to record, free of charge, all official discharges from the armed forces offered for registration. Free certified copies of discharges so recorded may be obtained by members or former members of the armed forces and by representatives of the N. C. Division of Veterans Affairs upon application. (GS 47, Art. 5; GS 161-10.1; GS 165-11) 2. Other Records Including Discharges. Representatives of the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs who need copies of State and local public records in assisting clients may obtain same without charge. Exception: certain privileged and confidential records whose disclosure is otherwise provided for by law. (GS 165-11) 3. Certified Copy of Public Record. A certified copy of any public record required by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Division of Veterans Affairs for use in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs shall be provided without charge by the official responsible for the custody of the public record. The document shall be issued to the applicant for such benefits or any person acting on his or her behalf or the representative of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Division of Veterans Affairs. (GS 34-15) REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS, STATE EMPLOYEES. See EMPLOYMENT. RETIREMENT CREDIT, MILITARY SERVICE, STATE AND PARTICIPATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. Under certain conditions and subject to the confines of State law, credit for both State and local government retirement plans can be granted for military service performed by an eligible employee. Further inquiry should be made to Employee's Retirement and Health Benefits Division, N.C. Department of the Treasurer, Raleigh, N. C. (GS 128-26; GS 135-4) SCHOLARSHIPS. See EDUCATION. SERVICE TO VETERANS. See VETERANS AFFAIRS, DIVISION OF. TAX RELIEF. (For detailed information, contact N. C. Department of Revenue.) 1. Income Tax Relief. a. Cancellation of Certain Assessments and Abatement of Income Tax. Any assessment of income tax due prior to the time a person was inducted into the Armed Forces will be canceled and abated if the service person was killed while a member of the Armed Forces or is receiving service-connected disability compensation. No interest is payable on refunds made under this section of the law. (GS 105-244.1) b. Allowances, Servicepersons. Subsistence and quarters allowances, uniform and equipment allowances and mustering-out payments are not taxable to the serviceperson as income. Mileage and per diem allowances for official travel and transportation are excludable from the service income except to the extent that they exceed the travel and transportation expenses. (N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) c. Deductions, Servicepersons. Income tax deduction may be claimed for insignia, swords, aiguillettes, epaulets, campaign bars, cap devices, chin straps and the cost of altering uniforms necessitated by change in rank. N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) d. Disability Pay, U. S. Government. All disability payments to veterans by reason of service in the Armed Forces are not reportable as income for income taxation purposes. (GS 105-249.3; GS 165-44[a][b]) (Internal Revenue Code Section 104, Paragraph 1843a) e. Education and Training Allowances. U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs payments made to veterans enrolled in schools and training establishments under the GI Bill are exempt from income taxation. (N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) f. Grants for Motor Vehicles. Grants by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs for motor vehicles for veterans who lost their sight or the use of their limbs are exempt from income taxation. (N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) g. Grants for Specially Adapted Housing. Grants by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs to seriously disabled veterans for homes designed for wheelchair living are exempt from income taxation. (N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) h. Gratuity Pay, Six-Months. The six-months gratuity pay to a beneficiary of a deceased serviceperson is exempt from income taxation. N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) i. Hostile Fire Duty Pay. Exemption is same as Federal Internal Revenue Service. (Internal Revenue Code Section 104) j. Insurance Dividends, Government Insurance. Dividends and all other proceeds except interest on dividends from G. I. insurance policies are exempt from income taxation. (38 U.S.C. 3101; N. C. Department of Revenue Bulletin for 1983-84) k. Retired Pay. The following are exempt from income taxation: (1) Any amount, not to exceed $4,000 received by a taxpayer during any year as retired or retainer pay as a result of service in any of the Armed Forces of the United States. (GS 105-134.6[b][6]). 2. Inheritance Tax Relief. a. Proceeds of all insurance policies paid or carried by the U. S. Government on persons who served in the armed forces or merchant marine during wartime are exempt from inheritance tax. (GS 105-3[4]) b. Proceeds not exceeding $20,000 of all other insurance policies paid to the estate or beneficiaries of any person who died incident to wartime enemy action are exempt from inheritance tax. (GS 105-3[4]) c. Proceeds of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) paid to a beneficiary are exempt from inheritance tax. (GS 105-3[7]) 3. License Taxes and Fees Exemption. While in any branch of the armed forces or the merchant marine, any person shall be exempt from liability for trade or professional license taxes or license fees levied by the State or any local government, subject to the restrictions set forth in the law. (GS 105-249.1[a][b]) 4. Peddlers License Exemption. County Commissioners may exempt disabled veterans from peddlers license tax. (GS 105-53[g]; GS 165-44[a][b]) 5. Property Tax Relief. a. Certain Vehicles. Any vehicle given by the United States Government to any veteran on account of any disability suffered during wartime is exempt from personal property tax so long as such vehicle is owned by the original donor or other person entitled to receive such gift under Title 38, United States Code Annotated. (GS 105-275[5]). This has been construed as exempting from taxation the entire value of the vehicle purchased with government aid. b. Specially Adapted Housing. Disabled veterans who receive U. S. Government assistance under Title 38, United States Code Annotated for the acquisition of specially adapted housing are eligible for an exclusion from ad valorem taxation on the first $38,000 in assessed value of housing together with the necessary land therefore which is owned and used as a residence by the disabled veteran. (GS 105-275[21]) c. Veterans Organizations. Real and personal property belonging to veterans organizations as defined by statute shall not be listed, appraised, assessed, or taxed for ad valorem purposes. (GS 105-275[17]) VETERANS AFFAIRS, DIVISION OF. The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs offers a program of assistance to veterans and their dependents with claims for Federal, State and local benefits. There is no charge for the services of this Division. A statewide network of offices is maintained, staffed by persons who are trained and experienced in advising and actively assisting citizens concerning various veterans benefits. The Division is a 100% State agency, yet it is accredited by the Federal Government to represent persons before the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs respecting benefits to which they may be entitled. About 85% of all assistance rendered North Carolina veterans and their dependents is handled by the State and counties. Because it receives no Federal funds, with their accompanying controls and restraints, it is free to vigorously represent the interests of North Carolina citizens in seeking veterans benefits to which they are entitled. Persons needing information or assistance respecting veterans benefits, should contact their nearest veterans service office. County Veterans Service Offices are located in nearly all of the counties in North Carolina and are usually situated in the county seat. (See "office appointments" for the location of your Carteret County NC Veterans Services Office.) Veterans Cemeteries: A free burial plot is provided at a North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery for eligible North Carolina veterans and their legal spouse (and dependents under certain conditions). Veterans must be discharged under honorable conditions and meet certain residency requirements. Two state veterans cemeteries are in operation with a third expected to be completed and operational by February 1997. The two cemeteries are located in Black Mountain (Buncombe County) and Jacksonville (Onslow County). For details, consult a cemetery superintendent. Addresses: Western Carolina State Veterans
Cemetery Coastal Carolina State Veterans
Cemetery VOTING. See ELECTIONS. Rev. 8-96
For more information, contact: Tel:
1-252-728-8440
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
