Community Forums

skypilot_1 · 02-10-2016, 08:31 AM

This post has nothing to do with VA medical benefits.

Congress has approved the creation of a veterans' identification card, making it easier for veterans to prove military service without having to produce a military service record or some other valuable document.
The House had already passed the bill in June and sent it on to the Senate. The Senate also passed the legislation, but a minor clerical amendment required a second House vote, which it took late Tuesday afternoon.
"Today is a good day for our nation's veterans," said bill sponsor Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Florida. "This bill is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we put partisanship aside and the needs of the country first."
Both House votes and the Senate vote were unanimous. The bill now heads to the White House where President Obama is expected to sign it.
Buchanan currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, but previously served on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.
Currently, individuals needing to prove military status routinely have to provide a DD-214, a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to prove their status, said Vietnam-era veteran Donald DiNunzio of Florida.
"I have been asked many times to prove that I am a vet but carrying around my DD-214 form is difficult and impractical," he said. "My DD-214 form is a large 8.5 x 11 carbon copy, delicate, old and quite brittle and thin. Having a permanent veteran ID card would be a much simpler way of proudly proving my veteran status."
A number of states, and even counties, will issue veterans ID cards. Among the states that do so are Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia and Michigan, which retailers and restaurants will accept when offering veterans' discounts, according to The American Legion.
The bill text references these kinds of benefits to veterans, but also notes its usefulness in proving veteran status "without having to carry and use official Department of Defense form DD–214 discharge papers."
Retired service members have long been issued IDs. The Veterans Affairs Department issues IDs to veterans who are enrolled in VA health care.
The veteran ID card had support from a number of veterans' organizations, including AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America and Concerned Veterans of America.
But the Veterans of Foreign Wars believes demand for the new card is unnecessary and will only burden an already backlogged VA bureaucracy, which is the agency designated to issue the cards.
VFW national spokesman Joe Davis said there will now be a new demand on the VA to process and issue the cards to millions of veterans who do not require or need VA care. That means time and manpower devoted to verifying honorable discharges.
"The states have the authority to indicate veteran [status] on driver's licenses and voter IDs," Davis said. "It would have been far simpler to have left the responsibility with them."

Wizard · 02-10-2016, 08:38 AM

Just for information, not all places will except drivers license, even if it states Veteran, on the card. My local Lowe's in Georgia is one.

bobandshaz · 02-11-2016, 07:22 PM

I have my retired military card so does DW. What is this?

ladagobago · 02-11-2016, 07:33 PM

IT is a copy and paste from this website
Congress Passes Law Creating ID Card for Veterans | Military.com

I like to show my dd214 - it is the only thing of value besides my education I kept from my four years.

mhudson · 02-11-2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

Just for information, not all places will except drivers license, even if it states Veteran, on the card. My local Lowe's in Georgia is one.

X2 Local Lowes in Greenwood will not accept SC drivers license marked Veteran.

skypilot_1 · 02-11-2016, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobandshaz

I have my retired military card so does DW. What is this?

This is an ID card issued by the VA to military veterans that didn't retire and would not have to carry their DD 214 to prove their veteran status when needed.

tikitom · 02-11-2016, 08:28 PM

Delaware has veterans ID cards issued at the DMV. Just had to show my DD 214.

dg1951 · 04-16-2016, 04:11 PM

don't know why. I had to show my DD form214 to get veteran put on my Drivers Permit and i have a DD form 2 as a retiree.

sadixon49 · 04-16-2016, 04:44 PM

I do carry my DD214 with me at all times. Maybe this would help straighten out my wallet, but giving extra work to the VA seems counter productive, they can't do the work they already have.

As for the Lowes and Home Depot veteran discounts, this card won't help. Their discounts are carefully worded to exclude the common, I served my hitch and got out, veteran. It only applies to retired veterans, and current active duty personnel.

ronspradley · 04-16-2016, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadixon49

I do carry my DD214 with me at all times. Maybe this would help straighten out my wallet, but giving extra work to the VA seems counter productive, they can't do the work they already have.

As for the Lowes and Home Depot veteran discounts, this card won't help. Their discounts are carefully worded to exclude the common, I served my hitch and got out, veteran. It only applies to retired veterans, and current active duty personnel.

and disabled vets.

ronspradley

sadixon49 · 04-16-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronspradley

and disabled vets.

ronspradley

Maybe so, not being disabled I knew it didn't apply to me.

justlou · 04-24-2016, 07:42 AM

I have never been denied the 10% discount at any Lowe's using my VA card. This is the Lowe's Veterans policy directly from their web site.

Lowe's established the 10% Military Discount to support the men and women who are currently serving our country in the Armed Services1 and to honor Retired Veterans and VA Recipients.2 This 10% discount is also extended to the immediate family3 of those who are currently serving, Retired Veterans, or VA Recipients.
To qualify for the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must:
Be currently serving in, or retired from, a qualifying branch of the Armed Services, or be the immediate family member of someone who is and have a valid military ID Card.
Or:
Be a veteran who receives VA benefits and have a valid Veteran Identification Card (VIC).

Ray,IN · 04-28-2016, 10:06 PM

My cousin took his DD214 to Office Depot, had them shrink a copy down to ID card size and laminated. Then took his DD214 original home and back in his safe. This laminated card is legible.
Oddly enough I talked to an Army retiree today who was told of this new veterans ID card from the VA. He went to our local clinic and requested more information to get an ID card. He said the woman closed the window and ignored him.