This blog/article on State Veteran Benefits was previously posted from a recurring series that started on July 28, at author's LinkedIn Article Page

Alabama Veteran Benefits

Dr. Lazaro Astro, PhD, GCDF, CMCS, CMF, CCSP 

Educator / Counselor / Speaker | PhD in Counseling

July 28, 2025

Alabama offers robust state-specific programs, including extensive educational benefits for dependents and significant property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.

1. Scholarships Alabama GI Dependents’ Scholarship Program: Provides free tuition, fees, and books for dependents of Alabama veterans with a VA-rated 20% or more disability or who died during active duty. Apply through the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA). https://va.alabama.gov/gi-dependents-scholarship.
2. State Parks Alabama State Parks Veterans Pass: Offers discounted or free access to Alabama state parks for veterans. Eligibility: Veterans with a 50% or more service-connected disability and former prisoners of war. Provide proof of service at any Alabama state park. https://www.alapark.com/discounts.
3. Education Alabama Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS): Offers education, job placement, and apprenticeship programs for veterans. Eligibility: Veterans seeking education or training. Apply through the Alabama Department of Labor's Veterans Employment Services. https://www.labor.alabama.gov/veterans-services. Alabama National Guard Education Benefits: Members of the Alabama National Guard may be eligible for tuition assistance for higher education. Eligibility: Active members of the Alabama National Guard. Inquire with the Alabama National Guard Education Office.
4. Grants Alabama Veterans Assistance Foundation: Provides emergency financial assistance to veterans in need of housing, utilities, and other essential services. Eligibility: Veterans experiencing financial hardship. Contact the foundation through ADVA. https://va.alabama.gov.
5. Healthcare Alabama VA Health Care System: Provides comprehensive health services including primary care, mental health, and specialty services to veterans. Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans residing in Alabama. Enroll through the VA Health Care System. https://www.va.gov/birmingham-health-care.
6. Housing Alabama State Veterans Homes: Provides long-term care for veterans at four locations across the state. Eligibility: Alabama residents with honorable discharge and medical criteria. Apply through ADVA. https://va.alabama.gov/state-veterans-homes. Veterans Housing Assistance Program: Offers financial assistance to low-income veterans for rent, mortgage, or utility payments. Eligibility: Low-income Alabama residents. Apply through local ADVA offices. https://va.alabama.gov.
7. Employment Alabama Career Center Veterans Services: Provides job placement, career counseling, and resume assistance. Eligibility: Veterans seeking employment opportunities in Alabama. Visit any Alabama Career Center location. https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/r/job_seeker. Veterans' Preference in State Employment: Provides hiring preference for veterans when applying for state government jobs. Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans. Inquire with Alabama State Personnel Department. 
8. Taxes Alabama Property Tax Exemption for Veterans: Exempts 100% VA-rated permanently disabled veterans from property taxes on their primary residence. Apply through the local county tax assessor’s office with VA certification. https://revenue.alabama.gov/property-tax/exemptions. Military Retired Pay Exemption: All military retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments are exempt from state income tax. (Information on Alabama Department of Revenue website).
9. Free Benefits Alabama Veterans Driver’s License: Offers a free veteran-designated driver's license. Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans residing in Alabama. Submit military discharge documents to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/veterans. Alabama Disabled Veterans License Plate: Provides a free special license plate for veterans with a VA-rated disability of 50% or higher. Apply through your local probate office with proof of disability. https://revenue.alabama.gov/motor-vehicle/license-plates/military. Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Disabled veterans may be eligible for free hunting and fishing licenses. Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability. Contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
10. Legal Assistance Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program for Veterans: Provides free legal assistance in civil matters. Eligibility: Low-income veterans residing in Alabama. Contact the Alabama State Bar or the Volunteer Lawyers Program. https://vlp.law.alabama.gov.
11. Mental Health Services Alabama Veterans Crisis Line: Offers 24/7 confidential crisis support for veterans and their families. Eligibility: All Alabama veterans and their families. Call or text the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1). https://www.veteranscrisisline.net.
12. Business Resources Alabama Veterans Business Assistance Program: Offers veteran-owned businesses counseling, financing options, and business development services. Eligibility: Veteran-owned businesses operating in Alabama. Apply through the Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). https://asbdc.org.

This article was part of the handbook created by Dr. Tony Astro, PhD, GCDF, CMCS, CCSP, retired U.S. Navy veteran and transition counselor at FFSC TAP Norfolk, as part of his capstone counseling and educational mission. Over decades of guiding transitioning service members and families, Dr. Astro recognized a gap—not in information availability, but in accessibility and usability.

Each state provides unique benefits—homefront-specific resources for housing, licensure, education, employment, and recreation. Veterans often miss these because they rely on federal VA messaging alone. This guide ensures you start strong, stay empowered, and find what’s often overlooked at the state level.

Empowerment, not entitlement. This resource is meant to help you take ownership of your post-military journey—with clear, actionable state-level benefits.

Disclaimer

This is NOT an official document from DoD, VA, DOL, or FFSC. It was created by Dr. Tony Astro as part of his capstone counseling and education outreach.
🔗 For corrections and updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonyastro