Alabama offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Alabama State Veterans Homes
Alabama is home to four veterans homes:
- The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City.
- The Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville.
- The William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette.
- The Col. Robert L Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City.
Additionally, the state anticipates the completion of the planned Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise by 2024.
Admittance to these homes requires a monthly fee. Veterans must have an honorable discharge and at least one day of wartime service to qualify for admission.
Alabama Tax Benefits For Veterans
Property Tax for Homes of Totally Disabled Persons Over Age 65
Any resident of Alabama who is permanently and totally disabled or aged 65 and above is eligible for an exemption from ad valorem taxes on their home and an adjoining 160 acres of land. This exemption is not subject to any income limitations.
Property Tax Exemption for VA Specially Adapted Homes
Any veteran who owns a home acquired through the VA’s specially adapted housing grant is eligible for a tax exemption, provided that the property is owned and inhabited by the veteran or their surviving spouse.
Tax Implications for Veterans Affairs Benefits
Income from U.S. active combat pay, military retirement pay, and Survivor Benefit Program payments are not subject to Alabama state, county, or municipal income tax.
Motor Vehicle Paid for by VA Grant
A disabled veteran who owns a vehicle paid for by the VA is exempt from paying license fees or ad valorem taxes on the vehicle.
Alabama Veteran Employment Benefits
State Employment
All veterans who have been honorably discharged are eligible to receive a five-point boost on any state employment examination scores. Those with a VA service-connected disability are entitled to a ten-point increase in their scores.
Furthermore, spouses and surviving spouses of certain disabled or deceased veterans are eligible to have the ten-point preference extended to them, which will be added to their test scores.
In addition, veterans are given preference over non-veterans who have similar ratings on the classified service employment registers.
Alabama Veteran Education Benefits
Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart Medal Recipients
Purple Heart recipients may qualify for tuition-free education at Alabama’s public institutions of higher learning, which encompass two-year and four-year technical colleges, community colleges, and junior colleges. To ascertain if your school participates in the program, please consult with them directly..
Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship Program
Alabama offers a waiver of up to $250 per semester hour and $1,000 for books each semester at any Alabama institution of higher learning, which includes two-year and four-year technical colleges, community colleges, and junior colleges.
Dependent children under 26, whose parent is or was an Alabama resident veteran with a VA disability of at least 40%, may qualify for up to five years of benefits. Those whose parent has a VA disability of at least 20% may also qualify through July 2023 if the VA rating was before July 31, 2017.
Additionally, spouses or unremarried surviving spouses of veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled are eligible for five years of benefits. Those rated 20-90% disabled can receive three years of benefits. The veteran must have received an honorable discharge and completed at least 90 continuous days of military service. There is also a residency requirement.
Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP)
The Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP) offers tuition assistance to eligible National Guard Service members. The program provides a maximum amount of $5,080 per semester for up to 120 credit hours. Payments are made only for the costs not covered by any federal GI Bill payments, and they are restricted to tuition and fees, excluding books or living expenses.
To qualify, applicants must be over 17 years old, actively serving in the Alabama Guard, residents of Alabama, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. The assistance is available for undergraduate degrees only.
Alabama Veteran Recreation Benefits
State Parks
Residents of Alabama who are either on active duty or honorably discharged veterans can enjoy complimentary admission to state parks.
Discounted Fishing License
Alabama resident veterans with a disability rating of at least 20% are eligible for a reduced rate on freshwater fishing licenses.
Disabled Veteran Special Hunting License
A unique hunting license is offered to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability at a price of $2 plus the applicable issuance fee. Veterans with a 50% service-connected disability can obtain a special hunting license at half the standard cost, plus the applicable issuance fee.
Non-Resident Licenses
Active duty members stationed in Alabama or neighboring states, along with their families, are charged the same in-state license rates.
Retired Military Pistol Permit
Individuals who are eligible for a pistol permit and have retired from active duty, the Reserves, or the National Guard can obtain a pistol permit for free.
Alabama State Veterans Cemetery
The Alabama State Veterans Cemetery is situated in Spanish Fort. Eligibility for burial in the State Veterans Cemetery adheres to the requirements established by the National Cemetery Administration.
In essence, veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, along with their spouses and dependent children, are eligible. Residency criteria apply.
A fee is applicable on the day of interment for spouses or dependent children, while there is no cost for veterans. Spouses maintain eligibility even in the event of remarriage.
