SC Safe Home is sponsored by South Carolina Department of Insurance. This program provides homeowners with grants to strengthen homes against storms, including upgrades to the FORTIFIED Roof standard.

SC Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program | Department of Insurance, SC - Official Website SC Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program The SC Safe Home Grant Program will begin accepting new applicants on April 8th, 2026. To receive updates and be notified when grants become available again, please click here . We encourage you to review how the application process works and ensure you have all the needed documentation.

To learn more and review the process, you can watch our tutorial videos here . The South Carolina Safe Home Program helps people who live near the coast make their homes stronger during hurricanes and strong winds. The program gives grant money to homeowners so they can add safety features that protect their homes.

What the Program Helps With The program helps with home safety upgrades, like stronger roofs or storm shutters. It does not pay for regular home repairs, remodeling, or building new rooms. The home must be a single‑family house that the owner lives in.

Key Eligibility Requirements To qualify for the SC Safe Home Grant Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: Reside in a designated South Carolina coastal county Own and occupy the home as their primary residence; the property must be a single‑family, freestanding structure (no duplexes or multifamily units).

Maintain an active homeowner's insurance policy Have not previously been awarded and used a Safe Home grant Have no prior storm-related damage or insurance claim payouts on the home Strengthening roof deck attachment to keep roof panels secure Installing a secondary water barrier to reduce water intrusion Upgrading to a high wind‑rated roof covering Bracing gable ends to improve stability in strong winds Reinforcing roof‑to‑wall connections to help the roof stay attached Strengthening weak trusses, studs, or other structural components Installing code‑approved protection for all exterior openings Installing impact‑rated or wind‑rated windows, doors, and garage doors How the Award Amount is Determined: Grant award amounts are based on the Mitigation Grant Type selected by the applicant, the cost of the mitigation project and the total annual adjusted gross household income of the applicant, adjusted for family size relative to the county area median income or the state median family income, whichever is higher.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Datasets publish these statewide and countrywide income figures annually. If the cost of the mitigation project exceeds the amount of the grant award, the remaining cost is applicant's responsibility.

How Much Money Can You Get The program offers different grant amounts depending on the type of project: Type of Project Non‑Matching Grant Matching Grant Resilient Mitigation Up to $7,500 Up to $6,000 Sustainable Mitigation Up to $5,000 Up to $4,000 Hurricane Shutters / Protective Barriers Up to $3,000 Up to $3,000 If the project costs more than the grant amount, the homeowner pays the rest.

Grant awards are determined using the applicant’s total annual adjusted gross household income, adjusted for family size and compared to the higher of the county area median income or the state median family income. These statewide and countywide income figures are published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

To help applicants determine their estimated grant award, the South Carolina Department of Insurance has provided an award estimator . The program opens for applications during certain times of the year. When it opens, homeowners can apply for a chance to receive a grant.

Working With the IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF Program The SC Safe Home Program partners with the IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF Program. This partnership gives homeowners the chance to earn two safety designations at the same time when they upgrade their roof. If a homeowner chooses the Resilient Mitigation Award, they may also qualify for extra insurance benefits.

This is because the Safe Home standards and the IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF ™ standards now work together. The Safe Home Program was created through the Omnibus Coastal Property Insurance Reform Act of 2007. Updates were later made during the 2017–2018 South Carolina General Assembly, which are included in Act 28.

For more details, homeowners can review South Carolina Department of Insurance Bulletin 2024‑02.

Resilient Mitigation Award Roof retrofits meeting SC Safe Home + IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF ™ guidelines (dual‑standard projects may offer additional insurance‑related benefits) Sustainable Mitigation Award Roof retrofits meeting SC Safe Home guidelines only or window/door opening protection upgrades Hurricane Shuttering & Protective Barrier Systems Award Installation of approved hurricane shutters or protective barrier systems Comparing SC Safe Home and IBHS Homeowners participating in the SC Safe Home Program can select a SC Safe Home certification or an IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF ™ certification.

The two pathways look very similar because they are both based on the same nationally recognized mitigation standards, with the exception that the Safe Home program requires roof-to-wall connectors.

Because the underlying construction standards are nearly identical, some homeowners choose to pursue both certifications at the same time, allowing them to meet SC Safe Home requirements while also earning the national IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF ™ designation.

The primary difference is in the verification process: SC Safe Home certification confirms that the work meets the program’s requirements, while IBHS FORTIFIED ROOF ™ certification includes third‑party evaluation and results in a national designation if the documentation is completed correctly by the contractor.

Both certifications can allow the homeowner to be eligible for discounts on their home insurance, though discounts vary by carrier. Qualifying Mitigation Retrofits Grant funds may only be used for approved mitigation retrofits that strengthen your home against wind damage. They cannot be used for general home repairs or maintenance.

Eligible retrofit projects include the following: Strengthening roof deck attachment Installing a secondary water barrier to reduce water intrusion Installing a high wind‑rated roof covering Reinforcing roof‑to‑wall connections Installing code‑approved protection for all exterior openings, including windows, doors, and garage doors Installing impact‑rated windows, doors, and garage doors Making the Application Process Easier We understand that applying for a grant can feel overwhelming at first.

To help you succeed, we created an online portal that guides you through each step of the application. The video below walks you through the entire process, one step at a time. You can return to this video at any point while you apply to make sure you’re following the steps correctly and keeping everything on track.

We strongly encourage homeowners to watch the video before starting the application. This helps you understand what is required and what documents you will need. It’s also helpful to gather all your paperwork ahead of time so you’re ready when you begin.

Because the application requires you to upload files, you’ll need to know how to save documents on your computer and upload them into the portal. If you run into questions, please check the video first to see if it answers your concern. If you still need help, you can reach us at 803‑737‑6087 or email scsafehome@doi.

sc. gov . When you’re ready to apply, you can click here .

Please note that applications open twice a year. Visit the Safe Home homepage for the current application cycle status. Need to reset your password or have other application questions?

Before contacting the Safe Home team, you may find faster answers by using the resources below. Many common issues can be resolved by reviewing our FAQs, key terms, or step‑by‑step tutorial videos. Frequently Asked Questions Please check these resources first, as they often provide quick solutions.

We appreciate your understanding. If you need to contact staff, please reach out to us either by email or by phone: Email: scsafehome@doi. sc.

gov Government Websites by CivicPlus®