Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs

Act No. 1945-173, established the State of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) which began officially operating on October 1, 1945. The ADVA’s vision is to ensure that all veterans and their families understand and receive all the benefits, support, care, and recognition that they have earned and are entitled to, by expertly administering all current programs, anticipating future needs, and taking appropriate action to meet them. To achieve this, it is the ADVA’s mission to promote awareness, assist eligible veterans, their families, and survivors to receive from the U. S. and State Governments any and all benefits to which they may be entitled under existing or future laws.

The agency is assisted and overseen by the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA). The SBVA consists of the Governor, as chairman, and members appointed from the following Alabama veteran services organizations: the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association of America, and the Marine Corps League.

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs’ executive official is the Commissioner, who reports directly to the Governor. There is one Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. The agency is divided into both functional and administrative programs. The programs include the Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship, the State Veteran Cemeteries, Outreach, Field Operations, and State Veterans Homes. The administrative programs include support services, accounting, and legal services.

ADVA provides certified claims representation at offices throughout the state. The service officers may advise veterans regarding benefits they may be eligible to receive based upon their military service, assist them in identifying nonprofit resources and, in certain cases, represent them before the United State Department of Veterans Affairs. These service officers may similarly assist the veteran’s dependents where there is no conflict with the veteran’s interests. These services are provided at no charge to the individual.

Additionally, the ADVA administers the Alabama GI Dependents Scholarship education benefit which provides qualifying dependents of disabled Alabama veterans financial assistance with tuition, required books, and instructional fees at qualifying universities, community colleges, and technical schools. ADVA administers five (5) State Veterans Homes which provide nursing home care and some assisted living care to Alabama veterans. Also, ADVA owns and operates the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort which honors the service and the sacrifice of veterans and their eligible family members by providing a dignified burial with lasting remembrance through gravesites, headstones, and other memorial options. (ALA. CODE §§ 31-5-1 through 31-5-14).

To find the office nearest you, please visit www.va.alabama.gov.

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Alabama Laws Affecting Veterans