The Veterans Identification Card is an identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as part of the Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015. A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many stores, businesses, and restaurants. When you have this card, you won’t need to carry around your military discharge papers or share sensitive personal information to receive discounts.

You may be eligible if you meet both of the requirements listed below. Both of these must be true. You:

• Served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard (including the Coast Guard), and

• Received an honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions)

If you received any other than honorable discharge, you’re not eligible for a Veteran ID Card.

Applications for a VIC can only be done online at the vets.gov website. When you apply, be sure to have these on hand:

• Your Social Security number.

• A copy of your DD214, NGB22 or other discharge document.

• A copy of a current and valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state-issued identification card.

• You’ll also need a color photo of yourself from the shoulders up. This can be taken on a cell phone.

Once you have submitted your application your eligibility will be checked. After your eligibility has been verified, you will be sent an email letting you know the status of your application. Once approved, you new card should arrive in about 60 days.

Remember, your VIC is used to verify your veteran’s status to get discounts at stores, restaurants, motels, etc. It cannot be used to prove eligibility for any federal benefits, for access to military bases or commissaries, for identification at the airport, to check in to a VA hospital or as proof of retirement from the Armed Forces.

You can use other forms of ID to get the same discounts. You may use your VA enrollment card, Department of Defense Identification Card or a state-issued driver’s license with a veteran designation. If you already have one of these, you don’t need a Veteran ID Card, but you can still apply for it if you would like.

For more information or assistance in applying for a Veterans Identification Card, contact Charles Mix County Veterans Service Officer Jerry Seiner at the county courthouse at 487-7691 or by cell phone at 481-1338.