Alabama Veteran Benefits

Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 preference points added to state civil service exam scores; veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more (and eligible spouses/surviving spouses) receive 10 points. Codified in Alabama Code 36-26-15.

During workforce reductions, employees eligible for veterans' preference with a satisfactory record and an efficiency rating equal to or greater than competitors must be the last to be discharged, reduced in rank, or reduced in salary.

Resident veterans and active-duty military receive free year-round admission to Alabama State Parks that charge entrance or day-use fees, plus a 15% discount on lodging at lodges, cabins, and campgrounds.

Resident veterans rated 20% or more disabled by the VA qualify for discounted annual appreciation hunting and freshwater fishing licenses (e.g., about $3.30-$3.60/year), applied for through the county Probate Judge or License Commissioner with a VA disability letter.

A resident veteran certified by the VA as 40% or more physically disabled may buy a lifetime disabled military veteran's appreciation hunting license for $60 (under age 50) or $30 (age 50 or older), per Alabama Code 9-11-65.3.

Veterans with a 10%-50% VA service-connected disability get the first distinctive disabled veteran plate exempt from registration fees; those rated 51% or higher (or with special mechanical controls) get the first plate fee-exempt with a $5 annual fee for additional plates. If the vehicle was paid for wholly/partly by the VA, all plates are exempt from registration fees and taxes.

Alabama veterans can add a veteran designation to their driver license at no charge for first-time or renewal applicants by visiting an ALEA driver license office and presenting a DD-214 showing an honorable or general-under-honorable-conditions discharge.

Alabama operates five state veterans homes: Bill Nichols (Alexander City), Col. Robert L. Howard (Pell City), Floyd E. 'Tut' Fann (Huntsville), William F. Green (Bay Minette), and Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins (Enterprise, opened Oct 2024).

Applicants must be honorably discharged with at least 90 days of active service including at least one day during a wartime period, meet U.S. VA criteria for skilled nursing care, and have been an Alabama resident for the immediate past 12 months.

Unremarried surviving spouses (and children/spouses) of a veteran rated 40% or more service-connected disabled qualify for tuition, required books, and fees; spouses of a 100% permanently disabled veteran get up to 5 academic years (10 semesters), and 40-90% rated up to 3 years (6 semesters). The veteran must have been an Alabama resident before entering service.

An unremarried surviving spouse may continue the veteran's homestead property tax exemption on the same primary residence; homes acquired under the VA's specially adapted housing grant are exempt from Alabama property tax as long as the veteran or surviving spouse owns and occupies the home.