Veteran Identification Card ( VIC ) is an identity card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans who are eligible for use in VA medical facilities. VIC protects the privacy of veteran sensitive information, as it no longer displays Social Security numbers or birthdates on the front of the card. VIC will only display the names of special veterans, images and indicators of eligibility - Connected Services, Purple Heart and former POWs, if applicable, on the front of the card. Only veterans who qualify for VA health benefits will receive the card. Unofficial cards such as Veteran Profit Card offer discounts to veterans through the Wounded Sold Project, unlike the official veteran identification card offered by the Veterans Affairs Department.
Video Veteran identification card
Use destination
Destination
The sole purpose of this card is to identify and check in for VA appointments at the VA Medical Center (VAMC), outpatient clinics (OPC) and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). VIC can not be used as a credit card or insurance card, and does not authorize or pay for maintenance at a non-VA facility.
Discount
This is not a "veteran discount card". However, there are different forms of IDs, including military identification cards and Veteran Identification Cards (VIC). There are also membership cards issued by various veterans groups, including American Legion, American Veterans Disability (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Many people use their DD214 (Certificate of Release or Release from Active Tasks) for identification.
None of these identifications automatically grants a veteran the right to any discount or privilege. Each individual business sets its own criteria for offering a discount, and each individual business decides who it offers discounts to.
Access to military base
VIC can not be used to enter the military base. However, this can be used as an ID upon request by the gatekeeper when entering the base with escorts, such as active duty personnel, someone with authorization to access military bases. According to the US Veterans Affairs Department, former service members have access, if they are 20 year old retirement veterans, medically retired veterans or 100 percent of services connecting VA veteran defects with US Uniform Service and Identification Cards. Veterans who are civilian employees bases at military bases come in with a Public Access Card.
Unofficial veteran ID card
Many veterans and printing companies advertise offers for "veteran ID cards". However, this is not an official veteran identification card issued by the government, and it is highly unlikely that this card will be recognized in any official capacity. Caution should be used before providing personal identification to non-governmental organizations.
missing or stolen VIC
Veterans should contact the VA medical facility where they take their pictures to request new cards issued back. Because the photos are retained, there is no need for veterans to go to VA to retrieve images for cards. Identifying information such as names and other information will be required to ensure proper identification of the caller.
New VIC form
The new VIC was introduced in 2004 to reduce the veteran's vulnerability to identity theft and to demonstrate the VA's commitment to securing the registered private veteran's confidential information. Veterans with old and outdated VIC versions (featuring Social Security numbers and birth dates), must replace the card with a new card. Veterans with old cards must report to their local VA medical facility to have a new card issued.
Veterans Health Identification Card
In 2014, the Veterans Administration established a new Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) designed to replace the Veteran Identification Card (VIC). The new Veteran Health Identification Card comes with additional security features and different look and feel, replacing the old Veteran Identification Card, first issued in 2004. The new card will protect against identity theft and will be personalized with the veteran branch symbol of the service. Other new features add "VA" in Braille, to help visually impaired veterans, along with VA phone numbers and emergency care instructions.
Maps Veteran identification card
Qualification
Basic eligibility
If a person serves in active military service and is separated in any condition other than dishonorable, you may be eligible for a VA health benefit. Current and former members of the Reserve or National Guard who are summoned for active duty by federal orders and complete the full period that they are called or ordered to active duty may qualify for VA health benefits as well.
National Guard reserves or members with active duty for training purposes simply do not meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Minimum task requirements
Most veterans enrolled after September 7, 1980, or entering active duties after October 16, 1981, had to undergo 24 consecutive months or full periods in which they were called for active duty to qualify. This minimum duty requirement may not apply to veterans who are dismissed due to disability occurring or exacerbated on-time, for difficulties or "early exit", or those serving before 7 September 1980. As there are a number of other exceptions to the minimum duty requirement, VA encourage all veterans to apply so they can determine the eligibility of their registration.
Veteran who might pass:
- Veteran with service-related disability rating
- Serve in combat or in war zone
- Medical conditions that occur while on the service
- Location of service
- Served at combat operations theater in the last 5 years
- Receive a Purple Heart Medal
- Former Prisoner of War
- Accept VA retirement or disability benefits
- Create less than 62k a year,
- Honorable, General, or Other-Than-Honorable, Grasi, Bad Discharge Behavior.
This is not a comprehensive list and veterans should check with VA to see if they qualify. Many unique circumstances lead to qualification.
- Measurable Discharge: By the characterization of this service, ALL of the benefits of veterans are lost, regardless of the honorable service of the past.
Currently, veteran identity cards are only issued at the federal level by the government to enter VA Medical Facility; The DD 214 form, "release or dismissal certificate", has been issued to all veterans since 1950. DD214 is criticized for being too large and sensitive to carry for the benefit of veterans as compared to pocket-sized cards.
In September 2011, the Veterans ID Card Act, HR 2985 , was introduced by Reps. Todd Akin, R-Mo., And Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, both are Army veterans. The bill will allow the Veterans Affairs Department to issue photo identification cards for non-retired veterans (who receive ID cards from the Department of Defense) but who are also currently not receiving VA health benefits.
Country and local veteran cards
Other jurisdictions at the state, county and city level have also created their own identification card schemes for easier veteran access to discounts and other benefits within the jurisdiction. In most states, a person's license or state identity card may optionally carry a veteran status identifier.
In 2016, it is available in the following US areas: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington state, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Oklahoma, https://www.ok.gov/dps/News/Veteran_Driver_License_And_Identification_Card_Press_Release.html
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia