The State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA) currently consists of the Governor, as Chairman, and representatives from veterans’ organizations in Alabama, namely: The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc., Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association of America, and the Marine Corps League. 

Personnel of the Department consist of a State Service Commissioner; Assistant State Service Commissioners as the State Board deems necessary; County Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) who provide service to residents of all 67 counties of Alabama; Claims Representatives; and administrative employees.

 The ADVA, acting through the State Service Commissioner, is the designated agency of the State of Alabama to represent the State and its veterans before the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) or any other agency dealing with the interest of veterans. 

It is the duty and purpose of the ADVA to fully develop and maintain a comprehensive statewide veterans’ assistance program; to assist the veteran and his/her dependents in all of their problems and to inform them of their rights and entitlements under current law.  It is the duty of the Commissioner to cooperate with all other departments of the State of Alabama in coordinating plans and programs of state agencies which affect veterans and their dependents.  The ADVA through its Commissioner, provides a central point of contact between federal agencies dealing with the problems of veterans.

 It is the duty of the State Service Commissioner, Assistant State Service Commissioners and County VSOs to inform members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their dependents of all federal, state and local laws enacted for their benefit.  To aid all residents of the State of Alabama who served in the Armed Forces of the United States, their relatives, beneficiaries and dependents to receive from the United States and the State of Alabama any and all compensation, pension, hospitalization, insurance, educational, employment pay and gratuity, loan guarantee or any other aid or benefit to which they may be entitled under current laws or laws to be enacted.  Veterans in Alabama have the advantage of being in the position to personally contact and receive service from the VSO near the veterans’ home.

 There is no charge to any individual for any service performed by the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. 

AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTIONS

HOMES OF TOTALLY DISABLED PERSONS OR THOSE OVER THE AGE OF 65

Exemption is provided from ad valorem taxation of the home and an adjacent 160 acres of any person who is totally disabled or who is 65 years of age or older having a net annual income of $7,500.00 or less for income tax purposes for the last preceding year.  (Ala. Code §§ 40-9-21 & 40-9-19 (a))

Service-connected disabled veterans rated at 10% or higher who are residents of Alabama at the time the exemption is claimed, shall be exempt from the payment of the privilege or license tax and registration fee now and hereinafter to be levied on automobiles and motor vehicles by the State of Alabama.  The plates shall not be transferable.  Veterans rated as less than 50% service-connected disabled are limited to one exemption and one license plate.  (Ala. Code §§ 40-12-244 & 40-12-254)

 NATIONAL GUARD OR RESERVES FORCES EXEMPTION

Any active or retired member of the Alabama National Guard or any resident of Alabama at the time of entering the United States Armed Forces Reserve organization who are still residents of Alabama at the time the exemption is claimed, shall be exempt from the payment of the privilege or license tax and registration fee now and hereinafter to be levied on one automobile or motor vehicle by the State of Alabama.  For active members, this exemption extends only the distinctive National Guard or service connected disabled veterans’ license plate.  For retired members, the exemption extends only to the distinctive National Guard license plate. (Ala. Code § 40-12-244)

PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS 

Any person who was a member of the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1941, was on station or offshore at a distance not to exceed three miles, during the attack on the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, and received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces may be issued a distinctive motor vehicle license tag identifying said persons as a Pearl Harbor Survivor upon the payment of the regular fee and the additional payment of $3.00 for each plate issued.  License plate can be personalized for an additional annual $50 fee.  (Ala. Code §§ 32-6-310, 32-6-350.1, & 32-6-231.1)

Medal of Honor - The registrant is exempt from registration fees and ad valorem taxes for the first plate.  All applicable registration fees and ad valorem taxes must be remitted for any additional plates obtained. 

Purple Heart Medal - The registrant is exempt from registration fees (but not ad valorem taxes) for the first plate.  All applicable registration fees and ad valorem taxes must be remitted for any additional plates obtained.

Prisoner of War - The registrant is exempt from registration fees and ad valorem taxes for the first plate.  All applicable registration fees and ad valorem taxes must be remitted for any additional plates obtained.  

The recipient of the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart Medal, and Prisoner of War license plates may keep the tag for life and does not need to re-register each year.  Upon the veteran’s death, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to retain the tag, at no fee or tax.  Exception: the surviving spouse of Purple Heart Medal recipients shall pay ad valorem taxes due for one private motor vehicle owned by the surviving spouse for the remainder of the said spouse's lifetime or until remarriage.  (Ala. Code §§ 32-6-250 & 254)

 
VETERAN COMMEMORATIVE TAG PROGRAMS

In accordance with Ala. Code § 32-6-350, the ADVA is the certifying official for the following commemorative license plates:  WWII, Battle of the Bulge, Korean War, Vietnam Veteran, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Atomic Nuked, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

 Specific eligibility criteria for these individual license plates may or may not require the applicant to have served in a specific country/location to qualify for issuance.  To make application or to determine eligibility for a specific commemorative license plate, contact your nearest county VSO for assistance.  Please note that under no circumstances can a second party such as a family member make application for a distinctive or commemorative license plate on behalf of the veteran.

Registrants for each of the above Commemorative License Plates shall pay an annual fee of $3.00 plus the normal tag and issuance fee and ad valorem taxes.  This plate can also be personalized for an annual fee of $50.00.  Exception:  The registrant for the Vietnam Veteran License Plate shall pay a $6.00 fee when the initial metal plate is issued and a $3.00 fee each time the vehicle registration is renewed. (Ala. Code §§ 32-6-231.1 & 32-6-350(b))

Military Branch Service License Plates – All residents of Alabama who are active, retired, or honorably discharged veterans of the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Merchant Marines may be issued distinctive motor vehicle tags by presenting the local tag official with the following; Military ID; or Leave and Earnings Statement; or DD214 reflecting the appropriate branch of service.

Registrants for the Military Branch License Plates shall pay an annual fee of $3.00 plus the normal tag and issuance fee and ad valorem taxes.  Exception:  Retired and honorably discharged members of the US Marines Corps applying for the Marine Corps License Plate shall pay an additional $25.00 each time the vehicle registration is renewed.  Active duty Marine Corps service members shall pay an additional $3.00 each time the vehicle registration is renewed.  These license plates cannot be personalized.  (Ala. Code §§ 32-6-640(d) & (f))

 OTHER STATE 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 Post Card Application form (FPCA, 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. (See also Ala. Code §§ 17-11-3(a)(5) & (b); 17-11-4).

[Act No. 2011-619 provides for the opportunity for overseas absentee voting in certain circumstances.  Contact the Office of the Alabama Secretary of State for more information at 334.242.7200 or visit their website at www.sos.alabama.gov.

 
BUSINESS AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE EXEMPTIONS FOR DISABLED VETERANS

Any bona fide permanent resident of Alabama who is a veteran of WWII 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, may be exempt from business or occupational license taxes.  A veteran who conducts his/her business as a means of livelihood through his/her personal efforts and has no more than one employee shall be entitled to licenses from the state/county/municipality to carry on such business upon the payment of license taxes that shall not exceed $25.00.  However, a veteran whose property (both real and personal) is valued at $5,000.00 or more or whose net income is $2,500.00 or more is not entitled to these business and occupational license exemptions.  (Ala. Code §§ 40-12-340-352)

STATE VETERANS CEMETERY

The ADVA is in the development stages for the state’s first veterans’ cemetery, Alabama State Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort.  Interments may begin in 2013.  For more information, please contact your local county VSO (Ala. Code § 31-5-3(d))

 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 Medical Center (VAMC) and commitment to such facility 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 VAMC, 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/her right to appear and defend shall not be denied.  (Ala. Code § 26-9-13)

EXECUTIVE, ATTESTATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT CERTIFICATION 

Acknowledgments, proofs 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.  When such acknowledgment is taken by the latter, the official seal of the officer before whom it is acknowledged shall have the same effect as an acknowledgment in the manner and form preserved by the laws of this state for instruments executed in this state.  (Ala. Code §§ 35-4-26(a) & (b))

 
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. (Ala. Code § 8-8-6(a))

 FIDUCIARIES IN WAR SERVICE 

Any fiduciary engaged in wartime service may be removed from his/her 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 his/her wartime service upon petition of the court.  (Ala. Code §§ 19-2-2-3)

 
DISABLED MILITARY VETERAN'S APPRECIATION FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSE

Alabama law allows a discounted fishing license for an Alabama resident to fish the freshwaters of Alabama.  The veteran must be certified by the USDVA to be 20% or more disabled.  The veteran is required to present certification of the disability from the USDVA.  The discounted license can be issued at an Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District Office, Probate Office, or License Commissioner’s Office.  (Ala. Code § 9-11-54) NOTE:  Alabama law does not provide for a discounted hunting license.

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 USDVA and all earnings, interest and profits derived.  (Ala. Code §§ 26-9-1 et seq.)

JOB STATUS AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Those state employees who are not in the classified service, upon being called into or entering the military service, shall have the same rights and privileges as to reemployment by the state or any department thereof as are granted to those employees in the classified service.  (Ala. Code § 36-26-33)

State, 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.  (Ala. Code§§ 36-8-1-6)

Any teacher entering military service at a time when there is an existing state of war between the United States and any other country shall be granted a leave of absence for the duration of the war and until the beginning of the school year next succeeding the date on which said teacher is released from military service. 

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 returns to said position within one year after release from military service.  Contact the local school board for information on required notices and forms.  (Ala. Code§ 16-24-13)  

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 enters 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.  (Ala. Code §§ 36-27-4(d) - (f); 16-25-3(d) & (e))

 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.  (Ala. Code § 40-18-3)

 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, naval militia, the Alabama State Guard organized in lieu of the National Guard, the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force known as the Civil Air Patrol, the National Disaster Medical System, or of the reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, shall be entitled to a military leave of absence from their respective civil duties and occupations on all days that they are engaged in field or coast defense or other training or on other service ordered under the National Defense Act, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, 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 (168 working hours) per calendar year. (Ala. Code § 31-2-13(a))

MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF FUND

This law prohibits a mortgagee from initiating a foreclosure against the surviving spouse or estate of a mortgagor who dies while deployed overseas on active duty military service for 180 days after the death.  Civil penalties against a violator are deposited into the Military Family Relief Fund, which the ADVA may use to assist military families.  (Ala. Code § 35-10-71)

 MILITARY RETIREE INCOME TAX EXEMPTION  

Effective January 1, 1989, and for all successive tax years, all compensation received as retirement benefits by any person retired from the military service of the United States of America and survivor benefits derived there from are hereby exempt from any state, county or municipal income tax or similar tax.  (Ala. Code § 40-18-20)

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 prima facie evidence of the death of such person.  (Ala. Code § 12-21-90)

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 prima facie evidence that such 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, as the case may be.  (Ala. Code § 12-21-91(a))

PEACE OFFICERS CREDIT FOR MILITARY SERVICE

Any peace officer who becomes a member of the Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund and who left employment and entered directly into the Armed Forces of the United States and who returned to work as a peace officer within six months after release or discharge shall receive prior employment service credit for service in the military not to exceed five years.  (Ala. Code § 36-21-69)

PREFERENCE IN STATE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYMENT 

All persons who have been honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces at any time shall have 5 points added to any earned ratings in examination for entrance to the state classified service.  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.  Veterans also receive preference on the classified service employment registers over non-veterans with the same ratings.  (Ala. Code § 36-26-15(b))

One copy of any public record (birth or marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) is furnished free of charge to an applicant when required by the USDVA to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in benefits made available by his/her federal agency.  (Ala. Code § 26-9-12)

RECORDING OF DISCHARGES 

Honorable discharges and certificates of honorable service are recorded free of charge by probate judges.  Any person who holds a release from active duty, or DD Form 214, from the United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marine Corps may present the DD Form 214 to the judge of probate of the county wherein he or she resides, and the judge of probate shall cause the same to be recorded at no charge.

When a release from active duty is recorded as provided by this law, the record of certified copies of a DD Form 214 appearing in the book of record shall be confidential. It shall be unlawful for any person to permit inspection of any such record, to disclose information contained in any such record, or to issue a copy of all or any part of such record except as authorized herein or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Upon presentation of proper identification, any of the following persons may examine the record or obtain free of charge a copy or certified copy of all or part of the record:

This program is administered by the ADVA and is governed by Ala. Code §§ 31-6-1, et seq.  The veteran must meet the following qualifications to establish eligibility of his/her dependents: 

Military Service: The veteran must have honorably served at least 90 days of continuous active federal military service during wartime, or honorably discharged by reason of service-connected disability after serving less than 90 days of continuous active federal military service during wartime.

Disability Requirements: The veteran must be rated 20% or more by the USDVA due to service-connected disabilities or have held the qualifying rating at the time of death, a former prisoner of war (POW), or declared missing in action (MIA), or died as the result of a service-connected disability, or died while on active military service in the line of duty.

Residency Requirements: The veteran must have been a permanent civilian resident of the State of Alabama for at least one year immediately prior to (a) the initial entry into active military service or (b) any subsequent period of military service in which a break (1 year or more) in service occurred and the Alabama civilian residency was established.  Permanently service-connected veterans rated at 100% who did not enter service from Alabama, may qualify after establishing at least five years of permanent residency in Alabama prior to filing of an application or immediately prior to death, if deceased.

Entitlement: Dependent children are awarded five standard academic years or part-time equivalent at any Alabama state-supported institution of higher learning or a prescribed course of study at any Alabama state-supported technical school without payment of any tuition, required textbooks or instructional fees for eligible dependents initially enrolling in school on or after Fall 2009.  Children who enrolled in school prior to Fall 2009 receive four academic years of scholarship benefits.

A spouse or widow (er) of a veteran who is rated  20% - 90% by the USDVA due to service-connected disabilities, and who initially enrolls in school on or after Fall 2009,  are entitled to three standard academic years without payment of tuition, required textbooks and instructional fees or a prescribed technical course not to exceed 27 months of training.  A spouse enrolled in school before Fall 2009 receive two academic years of scholarship benefits.  Note:  Widow (er) forfeits benefits upon remarriage.  Spouse forfeits benefits upon divorce from veteran in which the spouse derived eligibility.

Age Deadline: The child or stepchild must initiate training prior to their 26th birthday.  Age 30 deadlines may apply in certain situations.  There is no age deadline for submission of the application by the spouse or un-remarried widow (er). 

Application Assistance – Our VSOs can furnish information and assist the dependent in making application.  VSO offices are often located in the county courthouse or in the immediate vicinity.  You may receive additional information by writing: Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 1509, Montgomery, Alabama 36102-1509.  (Ala. Code §§ 31-6-1, et seq.) 

OPERATION RECOGNITION – HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

 The State Superintendent of Education may award a standard high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran who served in the United States Armed Forces at anytime between the following dates:

            December 7, 1941 - January 1, 1946

            June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955

            November 15, 1961 – March 28, 1973

 Veteran must have been a resident of Alabama prior to entry into the United States Armed Forces and entry into the United States Armed Forces interrupted their high school attendance and prevented them from graduation.

Interested veterans or family members should contact the high school principal’s office of the veteran’s former high school, or the County Superintendent of Education to make application for the diploma. (Ala. Code § 16-1-37)