Alabama State Veteran’s Benefits
The state of Alabama provides several veteran benefits. A brief description of each of the following benefits.
* Housing Benefits
* Financial Assistance Benefits
* Employment Benefits
* Veterans Business Benefits
* Education Benefits
* Other State Veteran Benefits
Alabama Veteran Housing Programs
Alabama State Veterans Home Program
The State of Alabama is extending this special kind of care to veterans through a partnership with the federal government and private industry. The Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City has been “home” to hundreds of veterans since its opening in 1989. In January 1995, Alabama opened two more homes to veterans, the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, and the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette.
Learn more about the Alabama Veterans’ Home Program
Alabama Financial Assistance Programs
Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions
Homes of Totally Disabled Persons or Those Over Age 65:
Exemption is provided from ad valorem taxation of the home of any person who is totally disabled or who is 65 years of age or older, and who had a net annual income of $7,500.00 or less for income tax purposes for the last preceding year.
Homes of Veterans/Widows Acquired Under Public Law 702:
The home of any veteran which is or was acquired by him pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 702, 80th Congress (specially adapted housing grant) as amended by (38 USC) regardless of its value shall be exempt as long as the same is owned and occupied as a home by the veteran or his un-remarried widow.
Incompetent Veterans:
The property of all incompetent veterans to the value of $3,000.00 is exempt from ad valorem taxation.
Motor Vehicle Paid for by VA Grant:
Any disabled veteran of WW II or of any hostilities in which the United States was, is or shall be engaged against any foreign state who owns an automobile which has been, is or shall hereafter be all or partly paid for with funds furnished for such purposes by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under the authority of any act of the Congress of the United States is entitled to exemptions from all license fees and ad valorem taxes on such motor vehicle provided the veteran keeps the vehicle only for private use.
Veterans Organizations:
All property owned by the American Legion or by Veterans of Foreign Wars or by the Disabled American Veterans, or any post thereof; provided, that such property is used and occupied exclusively by their organization.
Learn more about Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions
Bonus for Southeast Asian War Prisoners
A gratuity in the amount of $500.00 shall be paid to any person who entered the armed services while a bona fide resident of the state of Alabama and who was imprisoned as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. If the person qualified for the payment of this bonus died while a prisoner, the gratuity shall be paid to the next of kin. All applications for bonus or gratuity payments must be made to the State Department of Veterans Affairs. No payment shall be made except on applications duly received and approved by the said agency.
Learn more about the Bonus for Southeast Asian War Prisoners
Exemption of Debts Incurred Pursuant to National Housing Act or Veterans’ Benefits
All debts or extensions of credit incurred pursuant to any provision of the act of Congress known as the National Housing Act, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended or supplemented, and all debts or extensions of credit incurred pursuant to any act of Congress relating to veterans’ benefits, as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended or supplemented, are exempt from any law of this state relating to usury or prescribing or limiting interest rates.
Learn more about the Exemption of Debts
Military Retiree Income Tax Exemption
Effective January 1, 1989, and for all successive tax years, all retirement or compensation received as retirement benefits by any person retired from the military service of the United States of America and survivor benefits derived therefrom is hereby exempt from any state, county or municipal income tax or like tax whatever name called.
Learn more about the Military Retiree Income Tax Exemption
Unemployment Compensation
A person who served in the armed forces of the United States and who is unemployed may be entitled to unemployment compensation based on their honorable military or naval service. Contact the nearest State Employment Compensation Claims Office. Pension or disability payments provided by the United States to the individuals who have completed the period of military service may disqualify such individual from receiving unemployment compensation.
Learn more about Unemployment Compensation
Military Combat Pay Income Tax Exemption
Money paid by the United States to a person as compensation for active service as a member of the armed forces of the United States in a combat zone designed by executive order of the President of the United States shall not be subject to income taxes levied by the State of Alabama for the calendar year 1965 or any subsequent year.
Learn more about the Military Combat Pay Income Tax Exemption
Alabama Veteran Employment Programs
Job Status and Reemployment Rights
County and municipal officials who enter the military or naval service at a time when a state of national emergency has been declared to exist by the President of the United States, have preservation of job status and reemployment rights.
Any teacher entering the military service of the United States, who is not on continuing service status but who has accumulated one or more years of teaching experience immediately prior to entering military service, shall be given credit for such experience if such teacher is re-imposed within one year after release from military service.
Learn more about Job Status and Reemployment Rights
Preference in State Classified Employment
All persons who have been honorably discharged from the United States armed forces at any time shall have five points added to any earned ratings in examination for entrance to the state classified service. Those honorably discharged veterans with the present existence of a service-connected disability and entitled to pension, compensation or disability allowance under existing laws shall have 10 points added to any earned ratings. Wives and widows of certain disabled or deceased veterans may have the 10 point preference extended to them and added to any earned ratings.
Learn more about Preference in State Classified Employment
Membership in State Employees’/Teachers’ Retirement System
Retirement benefits rights of state employees and teachers who enter the armed forces and return to state employment after discharge are preserved. A member who enter the armed services and does not withdraw contributions, and who returns to said employment within one year after being honorably discharged, may be granted credit for military service up to four years, provided the employee pays an amount equal to four percent of the average compensation paid to a state employee during each claimed year of full-time military service, plus and together there with eight percent interest compounded from the last date of such claimed military service. The contributions must be made within a period of time equal to the length of service in the armed forces or before attainment of age 60, or in the case of a state policeman, age 56, whichever occurs first. No credit for military service shall be granted if such member is receiving military service retirement benefits.
Learn more about Membership in State Employees’/Teachers’ Retirement System
Alabama Veterans Business Benefits
Business and Occupation License Exemptions for Disabled Veterans
Any bona fide permanent resident of Alabama who is a veteran of the Spanish American War, WW I, WW II or at any time past, present or future, when the United States was, is or shall be engaged in hostilities with any foreign state and who has physical disabilities of 25% or more whether service-connected or not, who conducts their business as a means of livelihood through their personal efforts and has no more than one employee and whose property (both real and personal) is valued at less than $5,000.00 and net income is less than $2,500.00 is entitled to businesses and occupations license exemptions of $25.00 for each state, county and municipality. There is not a deadline on these exemptions.
Learn more about Business and Occupation License Exemptions
Business and Occupation License Exemptions for Veterans of WW II
Alabama veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States between September 16, 1940 and the termination of WW II or at any subsequent time when the United States was, is or shall be engaged in hostilities with any foreign state are entitled to exceptions on business of occupation license of $35.00 for each the state, county and municipality for a period, as to WW II veterans, or six years from July 24, 1953, or six years after date of discharge from military service, whichever is later. Post Korean veterans (Vietnam) have for a period of six years from January 1, 1964 until May 7, 1975, or six years after date of discharge, whichever is later. Such veterans whose property is valued at $7,000.00 or more, or whose net annual income is $3,000.00 or more, is limited to $15.00 exemptions from the state, county and municipality.
Learn more about Business and Occupation License Exemptions
Forfeiture of Franchise
No corporate franchise shall be forfeited for non-use, if any of the managing officers of such corporation become engaged in military service of the United States and as a result thereof the corporation suspends operations, if the corporation has paid all its franchise and other taxes to the State.
Learn more about the Forfeiture of Franchise
Alabama Education Assistance Programs
G. I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program
This nationally renowned program was created by Act 633 and approved October 1947 by the Alabama Legislature. It is administered by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and is governed by the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 31-6-1. The veteran must meet the following qualifications to establish eligibility of his/her dependents. A dependent is defined as a child, stepchild, spouse or the un-remarried widow (er) of the veteran.
Learn more about the G. I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program
Other Alabama State Veteran Benefits
Armed Forces Voter Registration and Absentee Voting
Members of the armed forces of the United States and their dependents may register and receive an absentee ballot for voting in the county of their Alabama permanent address by completing the federal postcard application form, “Federal Post Card Registration and Absentee Ballot Request” (Standard Form 76). This form may be obtained from the military unit’s voting officer. The completed form should be mailed to the Board of Registrars in the county of his/her Alabama permanent address.
Learn more about Armed Forces Voter Registration and Absentee Voting
Commitment of Incompetent Veteran
Whenever it appears that an incompetent veteran of any war, military occupation or expedition is eligible for treatment in a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center is necessary for the proper care and treatment of such veteran, the courts of this state are hereby authorized to communicate with the administration with reference to available facilities and eligibility and, upon receipt of a certificate from the administration stating that there are facilities available in a VA Medical Center is entitled to hospitalization therein, the court may then direct such veteran’s commitment to such hospital. Notice of such pending proceedings shall be furnished the person so committed, and his right to appear and defend shall not be denied.
Learn more about the Commitment of Incompetent Veteran
Executive, Attestation and Acknowledgment Certification
Acknowledgments, proof of conveyance and affidavits may be taken by certain government, state or municipal officials or by any commissioned officer of any of the armed forces of the United States, within or outside the limits of the United States, and when such acknowledgment is taken by the latter, no seal of office is required and the signature of such commissioned officer is prima facie proof of his authority, and is retroactive as of December 7, 1941.
Learn more about the Executive, Attestation and Acknowledgment Certification
Fiduciaries in War Service
Any fiduciary engaged in war service may be removed from this office as such upon petition filed in the proper court having jurisdiction and again serve as such fiduciary at any time after the termination of their war service upon petition of the court.
Learn more about Fiduciaries in War Service
Fishing License
Any person who is totally disabled and who has been a bona fide resident of this state for not less than six months preceding the date of application may, upon the payment of a license fee of $1.00, procure a special annual fishing license.
Learn more about Fishing Licenses
Guardianship for Veterans and Minor Dependents
The Uniform Veterans’ Guardianship Act provides for the appointment of a guardian for veterans and their minor dependents who are mentally or physically incapacitated. This Act outlines the appointment process, duties, responsibilities, limits, taxing of costs and fees of guardianship. The control and accountability of the beneficiary’s estate and income include only moneys received by the guardian from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and all earnings, interest and profits derived.
Learn more about Guardianship for Veterans and Minor Dependents
Hunting License
No exemption is available for hunting license due to disability.
Learn more about Hunting Licenses
Military Leave of Absence
All officers and employees of the State of Alabama, or of any county, municipality, or other agency or political subdivision thereof, who shall be active members of the Alabama National Guard or naval militia, or of the Officers’ Reserve Corps of the United States Army, or of the reserve components of the United Stated armed forces, shall be entitled to military or naval leave of absence from their respective civil duties and occupations on all days that they shall be engaged in field or coast defense or other training or on other service ordered under the provision of the below cited statute, or of the National Defense Act, or of the federal laws governing the United States reserves, without loss of pay, time, efficiency rating, annual vacation, or sick leave, but no such person granted such leave of absence with pay shall be paid for more than 21 working days at any one time.
Learn more about Military Leave of Absence
Notice of Armed Forces Death
A written notice or communication from the Department of Defense, the Adjutant General of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy or other officer charged with the duty of sending such notice or communication to the effect that any person in the armed forces of our country, or serving as auxiliary thereto, is dead shall be accepted as evidence of the death of such person.
Learn more about the Notice of Armed Forces Death
Official Report of Person Missing, Etc
An official written report or record or duly certified copy thereof, that a person is missing, missing in action, interned in a neutral country, or beleaguered, besieged or captured by an enemy or is dead or is alive, made by any officer or employee of the United States authorized by any law of the United States to make same, shall be received in any court, office or other place in this State as evidence as to the status of the person.
Learn more about the Official Report of Person Missing
Peace Officers’ Credit for Military Service
Any peace officer who becomes a member of the fund and who left employment and entered directly into the armed forces of the United States and who returned to work as a peace office within six months after release or discharge shall receive prior employment service credit for service in the military not to exceed five years.
Learn more about Peace Officers’ Credit for Military Service
Public Records
One copy of any public record (birth or marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) is furnished free of charge when required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available by their federal agency.
Learn more about Public Records
Recording of Discharges
Honorable discharges and certificates of honorable service are recorded free of charge by probate judges.
Learn more about Recording of Discharges
Validation of Marriage of Divorced Persons
Marriages of all persons subsequent to a divorce decree granted in the State and not prohibiting the person from remarrying, are declared to be valid, notwithstanding that the decree of divorce did not specifically confer on such person the right to remarry. Many claims for pension and compensation against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have been made effective by this law.
Learn more about the Validation of Marriage of Divorced Persons
Wills
The will of a person, executed while in the armed forces, is admitted to probate when subscribing witness or witnesses are out of the state at the time the will is offered for probate; or when places of address of witnesses are unknown, upon oath of at least three persons that the signature to said will is in the handwriting of the person whose will it intends to be. Such will is acceptable when so proved.
Learn more about Wills
[Source: www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/alabama-state-veterans-benefits Jun 2010 ++]
