Veteran Village in Florence: the state veterans home closest to Horry County
There is no state veterans nursing home in Horry County. As of Oct. 31, 2026, the closest of South Carolina’s six state veterans homes to the Grand Strand is Veteran Village, at 1200 E. National Cemetery Road in Florence (843-432-4600), per the S.C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. It admits veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable who are South Carolina citizens and need nursing home care.
A 2024 SCDVA budget document mentions “the future construction of homes in Horry, Orangeburg, and Lexington,” per a S.C. House Ways and Means handout, but no site, bed count, cost or opening date for an Horry County home has been published. Until that changes, Horry and Georgetown county families apply to the existing homes.
Who qualifies for Veteran Village?
The state’s admission packet sets three conditions:
| Requirement | What SCDVA asks |
|---|---|
| Service | Active-duty service with a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable |
| Residency | South Carolina citizen: South Carolina is your permanent home, your main family and social ties are here, and you have no permanent home elsewhere |
| Care level | Meets VA criteria for long-term nursing care |
The packet does not set a minimum number of years in the state.
What does it cost?
VA covers most costs, including room and board, nursing, meals, laundry, haircuts, cable and basic personal items, per the SCDVA packet. Residents pay a daily copay, with one big exception:
| Veteran | Daily copay | Medications on the VA formulary |
|---|---|---|
| 70% to 100% service-connected | None; VA pays the full cost | Free if more than 50% service-connected |
| More than 50% service-connected or receiving Aid and Attendance | Copay applies below 70% | Free |
| Others | Copay applies | Not free |
The packet does not publish the copay amount. Doctor copays, therapy, labs and other extras are billed to Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare or supplemental insurance. For billing questions, the State Veterans Homes reimbursement office is 803-898-8405.
Bed holds: a single medical leave of up to 10 days in a row, and up to 12 days of nonmedical leave per calendar year, are held at the copay rate; longer holds cost the full daily rate.
What documents do I need?
Send all of these with Parts 1 and 2 of the application, completed and signed. SCDVA says incomplete applications will not be processed.
- A copy of the DD-214 or honorable discharge papers
- Copies of insurance cards
- Power of attorney papers, if any
- A medication list from the veteran’s health care provider
- A physician’s history and physical, or recent progress notes
- Current immunization records
- A current photo, optional
How do I apply?
Mail or drop off the packet to the Director of Admissions, Veteran Village, 1200 E. National Cemetery Road, Florence, SC 29506. No appointment is needed to drop it off. The admissions coordinator’s line is 843-319-8091.
On the form you can pick a specific home or choose “First Available Opening.” After the review and a home visit, which take three to four weeks, accepted veterans go on a waiting list. SCDVA does not promise an admission date and keeps applications on file for 12 months.
Horry County Veterans Affairs in Conway helps with the paperwork for free, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (843-915-5480), per Horry County. Georgetown County Veterans Affairs is at 843-545-3330. SCDVA itself recommends starting with your county veterans affairs officer or the home.
What about Brunswick County veterans?
South Carolina’s homes are for South Carolina citizens. North Carolina runs its own four state veterans homes, in Salisbury, Black Mountain, Kinston and Kernersville, per the U.S. Air Force benefits library. Brunswick County Veterans Services in Bolivia takes appointments at 910-253-2233.
This story is information, not legal or financial advice.
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Questions and answers
- Is there a veterans nursing home in Horry County?
- No. As of Oct. 31, 2026, the closest South Carolina state veterans home is Veteran Village in Florence. A future Horry County home is mentioned in a 2024 SCDVA budget document with no date or site.
- Who can live at Veteran Village in Florence?
- Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable who are South Carolina citizens and meet VA criteria for long-term nursing care.
- Do veterans pay to live at a South Carolina veterans home?
- Most pay a daily copay. Veterans rated 70% to 100% service-connected pay none, because VA covers the full cost.
- How long is the wait for Veteran Village?
- SCDVA does not promise a date. Review and a home visit take three to four weeks, then accepted veterans join a waiting list; applications stay on file 12 months.