SC Safe Home has been paying for stronger roofs since 2007 — the longest track record of any program tracked here.

How the money works

The SC Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program, administered by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, provides matching and non-matching grants to help coastal homeowners retrofit against hurricanes and high winds. The amount depends on the tier of work:

• Full FORTIFIED Roof standard: up to $7,500 non-matching, or $6,000 matching
• Other qualifying wind mitigation work that doesn't meet the full FORTIFIED standard: up to $5,000 non-matching, or $4,000 matching

Since 2007, the program has awarded more than $25 million across over 6,100 grants — by far the longest track record of any program on this site. The 2026 cycle, which the state described as one of its largest funding rounds yet, opened February 10, 2026.

The dual-designation option

South Carolina runs its own "Safe Home" certification alongside the national IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard — the two are nearly identical (Safe Home additionally requires roof-to-wall connectors), and many homeowners pursue both certifications on the same project. A completed FORTIFIED-standard project through this program also automatically qualifies as an approved fortification project for South Carolina's separate wind mitigation tax credit, worth up to $1,000 — on top of the grant itself.

Who qualifies

• Owner-occupied, single-family home in an eligible South Carolina coastal county
• Eligibility is also based on household income and other program-specific criteria
• Covers roof retrofits, opening protection, and structural reinforcements — not general repairs, remodeling, or new construction

Check the application window before planning around it

This program's status has fluctuated within 2026 alone — it opened February 10 with expanded funding, and multiple contractor-side sources reported the portal showing "not accepting new grant applicants" by June. That's consistent with how the program has run historically: funds have gone quickly in past cycles. Confirm current status directly at the SC Department of Insurance's Safe Home page before assuming a window is open.

How to apply

• doi.sc.gov/605/SC-Safe-Home — official program page with the "Apply for a Grant" link and video tutorials for the application steps.
• online.scsafehome.sc.gov — direct portal to register an account and start your application.
• Questions: [email protected] or 803-737-2100

Find your county

All 11 eligible counties:

• Beaufort
• Berkeley
• Charleston
• Colleton
• Dorchester
• Florence
• Georgetown
• Horry
• Jasper
• Marion
• Williamsburg

Sources

• South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI) — program administrator, current cycle status at doi.sc.gov.
• SCDOI Bulletin 2024-02 — details on the dual Safe Home / IBHS FORTIFIED designation pathway.

Last reviewed: August 28, 2026