Governor Ivey Signs Bills to Enhance Benefits for Alabama Military Members, Veterans and Their Families

Governor Ivey Signs Bills to Enhance Benefits for Alabama Military Members, Veterans and Their Families

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law legislation passed this session to expand benefits for Alabama Guard personnel, veterans and their families. These new laws will improve education and workforce training assistance for Guardsmen, offer temporary teaching certification for veterans and expand employment opportunities for military and veteran spouses.

“Alabamians are among the most patriotic Americans and their dedication to protect our country and safeguard our freedom continually deserves our praise and support,” said Governor Ivey.  “I was pleased to sign into law this session legislation addressing military education and workforce training benefits and promoting greater employment opportunities for military spouses. These measures and others I have signed further demonstrate our gratitude to our military and their families for their service as well as leveraging their unique skills in growing Alabama’s workforce.”

Legislation signed by Governor Ivey to benefit military members and veterans include:

Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program (HB233)
Expands ANGEAP tuition assistance for Alabama Guardsmen to include workforce development training in addition to traditional degree programs. Furthermore, it ensures more timely delivery of education assistance funds to students’ accounts.

Expanding Employment Opportunities for Military Families (HB307)

Enhances state government hiring and promotion preferences for military spouses and authorizes local government and private sector employers to give preferences to veterans and the spouses of veterans and active-duty service members in their hiring processes.

Accepting Military Training for EMS Licensure (HB182)
Requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to accept an applicant’s education, training and experience gained during U.S. military service as credit toward meeting state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) license requirements.

Alabama National Guard State Income Tax Exemption (HB341)
Exempts Alabama National Guard personnel from paying state income tax on the first $5,000 of income received for inactive duty training, beginning January 1, 2027. 

Veterans Temporary Teaching Certificate (SB149)
Authorizes the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) to issue temporary teaching certificates to eligible veterans who would otherwise need at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify.  This will address teacher shortages while affording veterans the opportunity to serve Alabama students in the classroom.

Removing Home Loan Barrier for Totally Disabled Veterans (HB77)
Allows a 100-percent-disabled veteran to receive a tentative property exemption certificate at the beginning of their mortgage application process, making it easier for them to qualify for a home loan and obtain a home of their own.

Exempting Totally Disabled Veterans from Annual Homestead Exemption Verification (HB155)
Removes the requirement for an annual verification of homestead exemptions for permanent and totally disabled veterans who have already qualified.

Enhancing Student Access to Military Career Pathways (SB158)

Requires Alabama high schools to offer their students greater access to military career pathways through annual voluntary Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) testing, administered by military recruiters.

Updating Alabama Military Awards (HB323)

Modernizes Alabama’s military awards protocol while ensuring that past service is appropriately recognized. It clarifies award criteria, reinforces the significance of honors such as the Governor’s Cross and Distinguished Service Medal, and expands recognition to reflect the full scope of service. It also allows for certain awards to be granted retroactively.

Governor Ivey believes Alabama’s military, veterans and their families are not only an invaluable asset to the state, but they also help build a stronger future for all.

A photo of Governor Ivey signing HB155 is attached.

The WCFA COVID Emergency Relief Fund Announcement

Apr 30, 2020 | National Office

The WCFA COVID Emergency Relief Fund will open for applications at 6:00 pm Eastern Time on Monday, 4 May 2020

Through a generous donation from the USAA Foundation, the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) and the We Care for America Foundation (WCFA), Inc. are pleased to announce that we have established a special fund to offer monetary grants to National Guard members (Enlisted, Officer or Warrant Officer) who are experiencing a financial hardship related specifically to the COVID-19 national pandemic. The WCFA COVID Emergency Relief Fund has been established to provide financial assistance to current and former National Guard members who are experiencing a financial hardship due to having lost their primary income, or who have an increased financial burden as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant funds should be utilized for basic household needs such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, childcare,  and other essential family support items which have become difficult to afford as a result of the national pandemic.  Membership in EANGUS is not required to apply.

Applicants are asked to complete an online application Apply Here

Applications must be accompanied by specific documentation to prove a COVID-related hardship exist:

  • A letter from your employer, doctor, creditor, etc. that documents that the financial need is related to COVID-19, AND a document confirming National Guard membership
  • OR a letter of endorsement from your Commander, Senior Enlisted Leader/Advisors confirming National Guard membership along with the details of your COVID-related financial emergency
  • OR a letter from the State Family Program Office confirming National Guard membership along with details to show your financial emergency is related to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Fund can only support one emergency financial request per household. Because of the projected wide-spread need for assistance, grants will be capped at $500.  At this time, we have funding to support the award of 500 grants. Therefore, our window to apply will only be open for 48 hours or until we receive 1,500 applications, whichever comes first.  Applications will be reviewed and approved based on the greatest need. We ask that applications be submitted by National Guard members who absolutely need assistance as a result of a COVID-19 related financial hardship.  It’s important to note that not all applicants will qualify for assistance and others who do qualify will not receive a grant once our funding is exhausted. It is our goal to process applications within five days of receipt and to get the funds to those approved as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility for a WCFA COVID Emergency Relief Fund grant or the application process, please review the WCFA website at www.eangus-wcfa.org or contact our office via email at wcfa@eangus.org  No phone calls at this time, please.