An estimated 299,495 veterans live in Alabama, making up 7.6% of the state's population or the 12th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Alabama Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Program payments are exempt from any Alabama state, county or municipal income tax.
Active-Duty Income Tax
U.S. active combat pay is exempt from any Alabama state, county or municipal income tax.
Alabama Veteran Property Taxes
Any Alabama resident is exempt from ad valorem taxes on their home and an adjacent 160 acres of land if they are permanently and totally disabled or 65 years of age or older. There is no income limitation.
Any veteran who has a home that was acquired under the Department of Veterans Affairs' specially adapted housing grant is tax exempt as long as it is owned and occupied by the veteran or their surviving spouse.
See also "Transportation."
Alabama Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
State institutions of higher learning may waive tuition and fees for recipients of the Purple Heart for undergraduate studies.
The Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP) provides tuition assistance to eligible National Guard service members. The maximum amount is $6,017.50 per semester for up to 120 credit hours. You can only be paid after any federal GI Bill payments are made. Only tuition and fees are covered, not books or living expenses. Members must be over 17, active in the Alabama Guard, an Alabama resident, show financial need and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Undergraduate degrees only.
Military Dependent Education
The children of veterans who are 40% or more disabled, were a POW or MIA, or died as a result of service, and who meet residency and service requirements, receive five academic years (10 semesters) or the part-time equivalent at a state institution.
Spouses or unremarried widows or widowers of a veteran rated 100% permanently and totally disabled may also receive five academic years (10 semesters) or the part-time equivalent at a state institution. A spouse or unremarried widow(er) of a veteran rated 40%-90% due to service-connected disabilities may receive three academic years (six semesters) or the part-time equivalent.
The Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship Program pays up to the Defense Department Tuition Assistance cap of $250 per semester hour, plus up to $1,000 toward books and fees, after all other grants and scholarships are first applied toward required education expenses.
Alabama Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 preference points for state government employment added to their exam score and preference over non-veterans with the same ratings on the classified service employment registers.
Military Spouse Employment
Spouses and surviving spouses of certain disabled or deceased veterans can have the 10-point preference extended to them and added to any test scores.
Alabama Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Alabama has five 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
- The Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise
There is a monthly fee for the veterans homes. Veterans must have an honorable discharge and at least one day of wartime service to qualify.
Homeless Veterans
No specific benefits.
Adaptive Housing
See exemption under "Property Tax."
Alabama Veteran Financial Assistance
No grants or loans.
Alabama Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Alabama Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Veterans with a VA disability rating of 20% or more receive discounted freshwater fishing licenses.
Special hunting licenses are available to:
- 100% service-connected veterans at a cost of $3.55, plus the applicable issuance fee
- 50% service-connected veterans at half the usual cost, plus the applicable issuance fee
Active-duty members stationed in Alabama or neighboring states, as well as their families, pay in-state license rates.
Parks/Camping
Active-duty members and honorably discharged resident veterans receive free admission to state parks.
Alabama Veteran Transportation Benefits
Disabled veterans who own a vehicle that was paid for by the VA pay no license fees or ad valorem taxes on it.
Alabama Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
The Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery is in Spanish Fort. Eligibility for interment follows National Cemetery Administration requirements.
In general, veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable and their spouses and dependent children are eligible. Residency requirements exist.
For spouses or dependent children, a fee will be charged on the day of interment. For veterans, there is no cost. Spouses remain eligible even if they remarry.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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