Veterans residing in Alabama have access to a range of benefits in various areas, including recreational activities, housing, education, employment, and more.
Recreation Benefits
- Veterans in Alabama who have a disability rating of 20% or higher are eligible to purchase fishing licenses for $3.30 each. Additionally, veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities and those with 50% service-connected disabilities can obtain discounted hunting licenses.
- The Alabama Parks for Patriots Program offers free entry to state parks for resident veterans and active duty service members. Nonresident service members and veterans can also enjoy free entry on state and federal holidays.
Housing Benefits
- Alabama has four veterans homes that offer long-term care services, which include 24-hour nursing, therapy, and pharmacy support. To be eligible for these services, individuals must have an honorable discharge, a minimum of 90 days of active duty service, and must have resided in Alabama for at least 12 months prior to applying.
- Tax Breaks and Exemptions: Veterans can benefit from various tax exemptions, such as ad valorem tax exemption for homes of totally disabled persons over age 65, property tax exemptions for homes acquired under the VA’s specially adapted housing grant, and exemption from license fees and ad valorem taxes on vehicles paid for by the VA grant.
- Alabama veterans with a 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) VA disability rating are exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence (with no income limitation). A veteran’s surviving spouse may be entitled to the same exemption to which the veteran was entitled with some limited exceptions.
Employment Benefits
- Unemployment Compensation: Honorably discharged veterans and their spouses may be eligible for unemployment compensation under certain conditions, such as following a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move.
- Small Business Incentives: Tax credits are available for businesses employing recently deployed, discharged, and now unemployed veterans, as well as for veterans starting their own businesses.
- Reemployment Protection: Alabama provides job protection and reemployment rights for service members called into service and for state employees or teachers who are military members, allowing them to claim credit for military service towards retirement.
Education Benefits
- Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart Recipients: Eligible recipients can receive free education at public institutions in Alabama.
- Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship Program: Offers tuition and book scholarships to dependents of service-connected disabled veterans, with specific eligibility criteria regarding the veteran’s disability rating and residency.
- Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (ANGEAP): Provides tuition assistance up to $5,080 per semester for eligible National Guard service members.