Alabama Veteran Benefits

Pay received in a designated combat zone is exempt from Alabama income tax. Who is eligible for the Alabama Income Tax Exemption for Military Combat Pay? Service members receiving pay for service in a combat zone that has been designated by the President of the U.S. are eligible for the exemption.

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities are exempt from Alabama income tax.

Alabama offers a homestead exemption for all state, county and city property taxes for residents who meet the following requirements:

Vehicles owned by disabled Veterans that are all or partly paid for by the VA are exempt from all license fees and property taxes. The vehicle must only be used for the private use of Veteran.

ANGEAP provides financial educational assistance to Alabama National Guard Service members who are enrolled in an Alabama State Supported School. Alabama State Supported Two-Year Institutions Alabama State Supported Four-Year Institutions

The child or stepchild must start school before their 26 th birthday. In certain situations, a child or stepchild may be eligible for the program up to age 30. If the applicant is a stepchild, the Veteran and stepchild's parent must be legally married before the child's 19 th birthday.

Alabama State Supported Schools offer a waiver of tuition and fees for Purple Heart recipients who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. Alabama State Supported Two-Year Institutions Alabama State Supported Four-Year Institutions

Veterans who left high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces can receive high school diplomas. The Veteran must have served at any time between the following dates:

Alabama offers a Vehicle Privilege or License Tax and Registration Fee Exemption for eligible reserve component service members, Disabled Veterans, retired service members and Gold Star Families.

Alabama will pay a $100,000 death benefit to the survivors of an Alabama National Guard Service member killed while serving on state active duty.

Nonresident service members and their dependents can purchase Alabama hunting and fishing licenses for resident prices. Who is eligible for Alabama Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Nonresident Active Duty Service Members and their Dependents at Resident Rates? To be eligible, nonresident service mem

Alabama resident service members serving on active duty are not required to purchase a hunting and fishing license when they are in Alabama on leave. Service members are required to carry proof of residency and that they are in a leave status when they are hunting or fishing.

Alabama resident disabled Veterans may qualify for reduced price lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. The cost of the licenses varies based on the Veteran's disability percentage and age. For a complete list of prices see the Lifetime License Application below.

Alabama resident Veterans who have a 100% service-connected, total and permanent disability rating from the VA can purchase a reduced price annual hunting license for $3.60.

Organizations that sponsor hunting events in Alabama for disabled Veterans can purchase a three day hunting license for up to 10 Veterans for $173.90. To be eligible Veterans must have a 50% or more disability rating from the VA.

The Alabama Parks for Patriots Program offers free admission to Alabama State Parks for resident Veterans and active duty service members.

The Alabama Department of Labor offers personalized employment assistance to Veterans. This assistance includes:

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces can receive 168 working hours paid leave per calendar year for military service. This paid leave is without loss of pay, time, annual vacation, or sick leave.

When called into or entering military service, state employees in the unclassified service , have the same rights and privileges to reemployment as employees in the classified service . Alabama Code 36-26-33

Alabama offers state employment hiring preference to eligible Veterans, disabled Veterans, spouses and surviving spouses. Preference is given by adding points to passing examination scores when applying for state employment. Who is eligible for Alabama State Employee Veterans' Hiring Preference?

Private employers are authorized to have a written Veterans hiring preference policy. The policy must be in writing and applied uniformly regarding hiring, promoting or retention during a reduction in force. Alabama Code 25-1-5-50 through 52

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

State employees and teachers who enter the U.S. Armed Forces and return to state employment can keep their RSA benefits and may receive credit for up to four years of military service. Former Service members receiving military retired pay are not eligible.

Any peace officer who is a member of the Alabama Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund, who enters the U.S. Armed Forces and returns to work as a peace officer within six months after discharge can receive service credit for their military service for up to five years. Alabama Code 36-21-69

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The Alabama Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Alabama State VeteransMemorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort provides a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains six national cemeteries in Alabama. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Alabama Veterans have the option of displayingproof of military service on their driver license. There is no charge for the Veteran designation for a first-time driver license applicant or when renewing a license.

Alabama offers the Gold Star Family license plate to Alabama resident family members of a service member who died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Service members who are currently licensed or were employed within the past year in a U.S. Armed Forces transportation unit requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle are eligible for a military skills waiver when applying for a CDL.

One copy of any public record (birth or marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) is provided free of charge when required by the VA to be used when determining eligibility for benefits. Alabama Code 26-9-12

Honorable discharges and certificates ofhonorable service for Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces are recorded free of charge by Alabama probate judges.

The Uniform Veterans Guardianship Act authorizes the appointment of a guardian for Veterans and their minor dependents who are mentally or physically incapacitated. This Act outlines the appointment process, duties, responsibilities, limits, as well as the costs and fees of guardianship.

Alabama resident service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents may register for an absentee ballot to vote in their home county by mailing a Federal Post Card Application (Standard Form 76) to the Board of Registrars in the county of their Alabama home of record.

Whenever an incompetent Veteran is eligible for treatment in a VA Medical Center, and that commitment is in the best interest of the Veteran, Alabama courts are authorized to make arrangements on the Veterans behalf.

Mortgage holders cannot start foreclosure proceeding on a property owned or partly owned by a service member who dies while serving overseas, until 180 days after their death.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Alabama enter Alabama in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.