Alabama Veteran Benefits

B+

Benefits organized by category so you can quickly compare tax relief, education support, recreation perks, and more.

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How Alabama compares

Alabama compares well with many states, especially if you qualify for its stronger programs in Property Tax, Income Tax, Education, Employment.

Quick categories

🏠 Property Tax 💰 Income Tax 🎓 Education 💼 Employment 🎣 Recreation 🚗 Vehicle 🏥 Healthcare ⭐ Other

🏠 Property Tax

2 tracked items

100% Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Rating: 100% P&T

Full exemption from all ad valorem property taxes (state, county, city) on the primary residence plus up to 160 adjacent acres for veterans rated permanently and totally disabled. No income limit. (Alabama's separate age-65 homestead exemptions are general senior benefits, not veteran benefits.)

Eligibility: Permanently disabled veterans or Alabama residents 65+. No income limit. Source

Specially Adapted Housing Tax Exemption

Rating: Per VA SAH eligibility

Property tax exemption on VA-funded specially adapted housing if owner-occupied by the veteran.

Eligibility: Veterans with specially adapted housing purchased with VA assistance. Source

💰 Income Tax

3 tracked items

Military Retirement Pay Full Exemption

Rating: None

All military retired pay is completely exempt from Alabama state, county, and municipal income tax under Alabama Code 40-18-20.

Eligibility: All military retirees regardless of age or income level. Source

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Tax Exemption

Rating: None

SBP payments fully exempt from Alabama state, county, and municipal income tax.

Eligibility: All SBP recipients. Source

Active Combat Pay Exemption

Rating: None

Active combat pay exempt from Alabama state, county, and municipal income tax.

Eligibility: Active-duty service members in combat zones. Source

🎓 Education

3 tracked items

Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship Program

Rating: 40%+ for spouse benefits

Up to $250/semester hour for tuition plus $1,000/semester for textbooks and fees at state institutions. Children/stepchildren receive 5 academic years (10 semesters). Spouses of 100% disabled: 5 years. Spouses of 40-90% disabled: 3 years (6 semesters).

Eligibility: Children, stepchildren, spouses, or unremarried surviving spouses of veterans with honorable discharge and 90+ days active duty (or discharge for service-connected disability). Source

Purple Heart Tuition Waiver

Rating: None

State universities may waive tuition and fees for undergraduate studies for Purple Heart recipients.

Eligibility: Purple Heart recipients. Source

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP)

Rating: None

Up to $6,017.50 per semester for tuition and fees, covering up to 120 credit hours.

Eligibility: Active Alabama National Guard members, age 17+, Alabama resident, financial need demonstrated, 2.0+ GPA. Source

💼 Employment

1 tracked item

State Civil Service Preference (5/10 points)

Rating: None (any disability for spouse 10-pt)

5 preference points on state civil service exams for veterans. 10 points for spouses of disabled or deceased veterans.

Eligibility: Veterans (5 pts). Spouses of disabled/deceased veterans (10 pts). Source

🎣 Recreation

3 tracked items

Free Lifetime Freshwater Fishing; Discounted Saltwater (20%+)

Rating: Disabled veteran (freshwater); 20%+ (saltwater)

Alabama resident disabled veterans can get a lifetime Disabled Military Veteran's Appreciation freshwater fishing license at no charge. Veterans rated 20%+ can buy an annual saltwater fishing license at a reduced rate (about $3.60).

Eligibility: Disabled veterans with 20%+ service-connected disability. Source

Veteran Appreciation Hunting License (50%+; free at 100% P&T)

Rating: 50%+ (free lifetime at 100% P&T)

Veterans rated 50%+ service-connected can get the Military Veteran's Appreciation Hunting License. Veterans rated 100% permanent and total get a lifetime resident hunting license free of charge.

Eligibility: Veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability. Source

Free State Park Admission

Rating: None

Free admission to all Alabama state parks for active-duty and honorably discharged veterans.

Eligibility: Active-duty members and honorably discharged Alabama resident veterans. Source

🚗 Vehicle

1 tracked item

VA-Funded Vehicle Tax Exemption

Rating: Per VA vehicle eligibility

No license fees or ad valorem taxes on vehicles purchased with VA funds for disabled veterans.

Eligibility: Disabled veterans whose vehicle was paid for by the VA. Source

🏥 Healthcare

1 tracked item

Alabama State Veterans Homes

Rating: None

Five state veterans homes accepting honorably discharged veterans with minimum one wartime service day. Monthly fees apply based on income.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans with at least one day of wartime service. Source

⭐ Other

1 tracked item

Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Rating: None

State veterans cemetery in Spanish Fort. No cost for veteran burial. Fees for spouses/dependents at interment.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans and eligible dependents. Source
⚠️ Verify Before You Rely: State veteran benefits change frequently. The information above is summarized for general guidance and may not reflect the most current laws, amounts, or eligibility requirements. Always verify with your state VA office or state Department of Veterans Affairs before making financial decisions. Last reviewed: April 2026.