Alabama — Veteran Benefits

Permanently and totally (P&T) disabled veterans of any age, any discharge character that results in P&T status, or veterans age 65+ with adjusted gross income under $12,000.

Disabled veterans with vehicles wholly or partly paid for by the VA (under the automobile adaptive grant, Ala. Code § 40-12-254).

Disabled veterans receiving a VA Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE) grant for vehicle modifications.

All active duty service members and Alabama National Guard/Reserve members.

All military retirees (any branch, all components, all ages, no income cap).

SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP annuity recipients.

Veterans, service members, and survivors.

- **Delayed foreclosure protection:** Mortgage holders cannot begin foreclosure proceedings until 180 days after the death of a service member who died while deployed overseas. Ala. Code § 35-10-71. -

Service-connected disabled veterans (10%+), active/retired Alabama National Guard members, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve members, and Gold Star families.

Alabama resident with 10%+ service-connected disability rating.

**Action item:** Apply at county license commissioner with DD214 or ADVA affidavit. Authority: Ala. Code § 32-6-230 series.

Veterans with a DV plate.

Any honorably discharged veteran (or general-under-honorable conditions).

Service members currently licensed, or employed within the past year, in a U.S. Armed Forces transportation unit requiring operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle.

Covered under Category 16. The "VETERAN" designation is free, requires DD214, and no disability threshold applies.

**Resident disabled veteran fee tiers (Ala. Code § 9-11-65.3):**

**Resident disabled veteran fee tiers (Ala. Code § 9-11-65.3):**

20%+ SC disability, Alabama resident.

Disabled veteran residents may purchase combination lifetime licenses (hunting + freshwater fishing + saltwater fishing) for the sum of applicable individual lifetime license fees.

Honorably discharged resident veterans and active-duty service members. Nonresidents: free admission on state and federal holidays only.

Honorably discharged veterans and active-duty service members.

Any veteran using VA education benefits (GI Bill) in Alabama, regardless of physical residency, under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (Choice Act, 38 U.S.C. § 3679).

Alabama resident who received a Purple Heart while an Alabama resident; enrolled in an undergraduate program at any Alabama public two- or four-year institution (full-time, part-time, or summer).

| Relationship | Veteran Rating / Status | Semesters | Time Limit to Use | |---|---|---|---| | Child / stepchild of living or deceased veteran | 40%+ SC disability | 10 semesters (5 academic years) | 8 years from application date | | Child / stepchild of living or deceased veteran | POW, MIA, died SC or in LOD | 10 semesters | 8 years from application date | | Spouse / unremarried surviving spouse | 100% P&T SC | 10 semesters (5 academic years) | — | | Spouse / unremarried surviving spouse | 40–99% SC | 6 semesters (3 academic years) | 6 years from application date |

Covered under Category 30 (G.I. Dependent Scholarship). Spouses of 40%+ disabled veterans receive 3 academic years (6 semesters, 6-year time limit); spouses of 100% P&T disabled veterans receive 5 academic years (10 semesters), same dollar terms.

Active Alabama Army or Air National Guard member; age 17+; completed basic training; pursuing a first undergraduate or postgraduate degree at an accredited Alabama public institution; cumulative 2.0 GPA (undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (graduate); FAFSA on file; minimum $100 financial need demonstrated; in good standing with the Guard.

Children of active-duty service members moving between states.

Veterans who left high school to serve during WWII (Dec 7, 1941 – Jan 1, 1946), Korean War (Jun 27, 1950 – Jan 31, 1955), or Vietnam era (Nov 15, 1961 – Mar 28, 1973); Alabama resident at entry to service; honorable discharge.

**State civil service (Ala. Code § 36-26-15):**

Alabama resident; served during wartime; VA disability rating of 25%+ (need not be service-connected); self-employed; no more than 1 employee; property value under $5,000; net annual income under $2,500.

Military spouses who held a professional license in another state and relocated to Alabama due to military orders.

Covered in Category 36. Disabled veterans with 25%+ rating and qualifying small self-employed status pay a reduced business/occupational license fee of $25.

RSA member who entered the U.S. Armed Forces and continues contributions, returning within one year of honorable discharge.

**AHFA Step Up Program (not veteran-exclusive, but veterans may qualify):**

Survivors of Alabama National Guard members killed on state active duty.

Alabama does not add a separate state supplement to the federal VA SAH or SHA grant amounts.

Honorable discharge; 90+ days continuous active duty with at least one day during a wartime period (or less than 90 days due to SC disability); service members enlisting after Sep 7, 1980 or commissioned after Oct 16, 1981 must have 24+ continuous months or full obligation; Alabama resident for 12 months prior; meets VA skilled nursing/domiciliary criteria; no medical needs the home cannot serve; no dangerous behavioral traits; meets Alabama immigration law requirements.

**2026 State Initiative:** Alabama launched a statewide mental health program in January 2026 for veterans ages 18–34, providing mental health services, recovery counseling, and free therapy sessions for over 40,000 qualifying veterans.

**Unavailable (state-specific)** — Alabama does not have a stand-alone state dental, vision, or general health care benefit for veterans outside the federal VA healthcare system. Veterans must meet federal VA healthcare eligibility (service-connected disability, income thresholds, Priority Groups).

**ADVA Legal Assistance:** The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs provides referrals for legal assistance on housing, family law (divorce/custody), wills/probate, and financial matters at no cost through its Veterans Service Offices statewide. Website: va.alabama.gov.

Non-disability retirees from active duty military who meet standard pistol permit issuance conditions.

Any veteran requiring public records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, etc.) for a VA benefits determination.

**2026 Legislative Package (Governor Ivey, April 2026):** Multiple laws improving veteran benefits:

Unremarried surviving spouse of a P&T disabled veteran (or age 65+ veteran with AGI ≤ $12,000 at time of death); must continue to occupy the home as primary residence.

Covered under Category 30 (G.I. Dependent Scholarship):

**SBP/DIC income exempt:** SBP, RCSBP, RSFPP, and DIC payments are exempt from Alabama state income tax.

- Discharged under other than dishonorable conditions; OR died on active duty; OR served 20+ years National Guard/Reserve qualifying for military retired pay; OR activated for federal service - Alabama residency requirement: at time of death, OR at military entry, OR 10 years (non-consecutive) - Spouses and dependent children eligible (unmarried under 21, or under 23 if full-time student, or any age if lifelong disability established before age 21)

**Federal VA Burial Allowance (administered nationally; not a separate state program):**

**Federal VA Headstone or Marker:** At no charge, VA furnishes a headstone or marker for any eligible veteran in any cemetery worldwide. Apply via VA Form 40-1330.