KEY TAKEAWAYS
- There are five distinct types of veteran ID and proof of service — the VIC, VHIC, USID, state veteran designation, and DD-214 — and each serves a different purpose. Knowing which one you need for which situation saves significant time and frustration.
- The Veteran ID Card (VIC) is now digital-only — since September 2022, the VA no longer issues physical VIC cards. New applicants receive a digital card by email. If you have an old physical card, it’s still valid.
- eBenefits is completely gone. DS Logon was retired November 18, 2025. My HealtheVet login was retired March 5, 2025. All VA.gov access now requires a Login.gov or ID.me account — including VIC applications.
- Your DD-214 remains your most important document — no ID card replaces it for VA benefit applications, federal hiring preference, or legal proof of service. Request a free copy at milConnect (milConnect.dmdc.osd.mil) or by submitting SF-180 to the National Personnel Records Center.
- Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating qualify for a DoD USID card granting base access privileges — a significant benefit that many eligible veterans never claim.
- Which ID Do You Actually Need?
- Veteran ID Card (VIC)
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- DoD USID Card (100% Disabled Veterans and Retirees)
- State Veteran Designation on Driver’s License
- How to Prove Disabled Veteran Status
- DD-214: Your Most Important Document
- VA Sign-In Changes: Login.gov and ID.me
- Lost or Damaged Records: How to Get Replacements
- Frequently Asked Questions
Veterans frequently ask which ID card they need — and the answer depends entirely on what they’re trying to do. Getting a restaurant discount requires something different than accessing a military base, which requires something different than applying for VA benefits, which requires something different than claiming federal hiring preference. This guide maps each type of veteran identification to its purpose, explains who qualifies, and walks through how to apply in 2026 — including the VA sign-in changes that have made the old instructions for eBenefits and DS Logon completely obsolete.
Which ID Do You Actually Need?
Before diving into each card type, a quick orientation:
| If you need to… | Use this |
|---|---|
| Get veteran discounts at stores, restaurants, hotels | VIC (Veteran ID Card) or state veteran designation |
| Check in at VA medical appointments | VHIC (Veteran Health Identification Card) |
| Access military bases, commissaries, and exchanges | USID card (100% disabled veterans, retirees, dependents) |
| Apply for VA benefits or disability compensation | DD-214 (required — no ID card substitutes) |
| Claim federal hiring preference (veterans preference) | DD-214 (required) |
| Show veteran status quickly on a daily basis | State veteran designation on driver’s license |
| TSA/government identification | Not a VIC — use driver’s license, passport, or REAL ID |
Veteran ID Card (VIC)
The Veteran ID Card is a VA-issued photo ID designed specifically for proving veteran status at businesses that offer military discounts. It was created so veterans could get discounts without carrying their DD-214 — a document you shouldn’t be handing to restaurant hosts and store clerks.
Digital Only Since September 2022
As of September 2022, all new VICs are digital — delivered to your email as a digital card. The VA no longer produces physical plastic VIC cards. If you have an existing physical VIC from before September 2022, it remains valid indefinitely. New applicants receive a digital card that can be stored on a smartphone and shown from your screen at participating businesses.
Who Qualifies
- Served on active duty, in the Reserves, or in the National Guard (including the Coast Guard)
- Received an honorable or general discharge (under honorable conditions)
- Other than honorable, bad conduct, and dishonorable discharges do not qualify
- Uncharacterized or unknown discharge status requires VA eligibility review before approval
How to Apply
- Sign in to VA.gov using your Login.gov or ID.me account (DS Logon and My HealtheVet logins are retired — see the sign-in section below)
- Navigate to Records → Get Veteran ID Cards → Veteran ID Card
- Have ready: your Social Security number; a scanned copy of your discharge document (DD-214, DD-256, DD-257, NGB-22 or PHS-1867); a copy of a current government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport; and a color headshot taken within the last 10 years on a plain or white background
- Submit your application — the VA will verify your eligibility and email your digital VIC when approved
The VIC is free. VA says it can’t be used to prove eligibility for federal benefits, get onto a military base, shop at a commissary or exchange, check in at a VA hospital, prove retirement from the Armed Forces, prove wartime service for a special license plate, or serve as ID at the airport. It proves veteran status for discounts — nothing more.
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
The VHIC is a VA-issued photo ID for veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. It’s the card you use to check in at VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Some businesses also accept it as proof of veteran status for discounts, though it’s primarily a healthcare access card.
Who Qualifies
You must be enrolled in VA healthcare. If you’re not yet enrolled, see our VA healthcare enrollment guide. Once enrolled, you’ll typically receive a VHIC automatically — or you can request one through your VA medical center.
VHIC and Base Access
A plain VHIC doesn’t get you onto a base. Since January 1, 2020, though, the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act has let veterans whose VHIC shows Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Former POW or Service Connected — at any rating — shop at commissaries and exchanges and use some MWR facilities. Approved VA family caregivers qualify too.
To use it, enroll once at the installation’s visitor center with your VHIC or a REAL ID plus a VA service-connected disability letter. The base runs an identity and background check, and enrollment typically lasts one to three years. If you pay at the commissary with a credit or signature debit card, a 1.43% fee is added; PIN debit carries a 0.36% fee, and cash, checks and EBT have none, according to the Defense Commissary Agency. Full DoD ID privileges still require a USID card (below).
DoD USID Card (100% Disabled Veterans and Retirees)
The Uniformed Services ID (USID) card is issued by the Department of Defense through the RAPIDS system and grants access to military installations, commissaries, exchanges, and MWR facilities. This is the card that gives 100% service-connected disabled veterans and military retirees the same base access privileges as active duty members.
Who Qualifies for a USID
- Military retirees (20+ years of qualifying service) and their dependents
- Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the VA and their dependents
- Surviving spouses and dependents of service members who died on active duty
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Dependents of active duty service members
How to Get a USID Card
USID cards are issued at RAPIDS (Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System) offices located on military installations. You cannot apply online — you must appear in person. Schedule an appointment at the RAPIDS ID Card Office Online. Bring a completed DD Form 1172-2 (Application for Identification Card/DEERS Enrollment), your DD-214, your VA benefit summary letter showing your rating, and two forms of identity documents, one with a photo. If everything is in order, the card is usually printed at the appointment.
For 100% service-connected disabled veterans who have never claimed this benefit: commissary and exchange access can add up to real savings for a family that shops there regularly, on top of base MWR facilities. If you qualify and haven’t gotten your USID card, it’s worth the trip to a RAPIDS office.
TRENDING: See Today’s VA Loan Rates
State Veteran Designation on Driver’s License
All 50 states now offer a veteran designation — a “VETERAN” notation printed directly on your state-issued driver’s license or ID card. This is often the most practical everyday proof of veteran status because it’s a document you already carry. Most businesses that offer veteran discounts accept the state veteran designation without needing a separate VIC card.
How to Get the Designation
The process varies by state but generally involves visiting your state DMV or motor vehicle office with your DD-214 and current driver’s license, paying any applicable fee (many states offer it free), and receiving an updated license with the veteran designation. Some states allow you to request the designation online or by mail. Check your state’s DMV website for specific requirements.
The veteran designation is added at your next license renewal in most states, or you can request an updated license before renewal for a small fee. A few states have eliminated the fee entirely for veterans.
How to Prove Disabled Veteran Status
Property tax exemptions, disabled veteran license plates, state park passes and hunting license discounts all ask for proof of your VA rating, not just proof that you served. The document they want is almost always the VA Benefit Summary Letter, which you can download any time on VA.gov under Download VA letters. If you’re eligible, the same page offers:
- Benefit summary and service verification letters — your service history and disability compensation details, the letter most state agencies and county assessors ask for
- Proof of VA income — for mortgage applications and income-based programs
- Commissary eligibility letter — backup proof for commissary and exchange access
- Civil service preference letter — for veterans’ preference on federal job applications
- Proof of service card and a TSA PreCheck application fee waiver letter, for veterans who qualify
VA prints the letter with the mailing address it has on file; the letter is still valid if that address is out of date. Keep a current PDF on your phone. A VHIC marked “Service Connected” shows that you have a rating but not what it is, so agencies that set benefits by percentage will still want the letter. State benefits by rating vary widely — our veteran benefits by state guide compares all 50, and our 100% VA disability guide covers what a permanent and total rating unlocks.
DD-214: Your Most Important Document
The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the foundational document for virtually every veteran benefit. No ID card replaces it for official purposes. Your DD-214 documents your service dates, branch, discharge characterization, awards, and military occupational specialty — information that VA benefits, federal hiring preference, and many state benefits require directly.
Protect Your DD-214
Your DD-214 contains sensitive personal information — Social Security number, service history, medical conditions. Never hand your original to businesses for discounts; use a VIC or state designation instead. Keep the original in a fireproof, waterproof location and maintain at least two digital copies (secure cloud storage and an encrypted external drive). Provide a copy — not the original — when required for benefit applications or employment.
How to Request a Copy If You’ve Lost Yours
- Online (fastest): Request through milConnect at milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil — if your separation documents are in DoD’s electronic system, you can request and often download them there. Older records usually aren’t, so use the National Archives instead.
- Online request form: Submit an eVetRecs request at the National Archives site — archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. You’ll verify your identity with ID.me. The National Archives gets 4,000–5,000 requests a day and asks you not to follow up until 90 days have passed. Basic records are free for veterans and next of kin.
- By mail or fax: Complete Standard Form 180 (SF-180) and submit to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. Mail it to the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138, or fax it to 314-801-9195. Email requests aren’t accepted.
Note: The old instruction to use the eBenefits portal to request military records is no longer valid — eBenefits is fully retired. Use milConnect or the NPRC’s eVetRecs system instead.
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VA Sign-In Changes: Login.gov and ID.me
The VA has completed a major transition in how veterans access VA.gov and all associated online services. The old sign-in options are retired — here’s the current status:
| Sign-In Method | Status in 2026 | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Login.gov | ✅ Active | Use this — the VA’s recommended primary sign-in |
| ID.me | ✅ Active | Use this — accepted alternative to Login.gov |
| My HealtheVet username/password | ❌ Retired March 5, 2025 | Create Login.gov or ID.me account |
| DS Logon | ❌ Retired November 18, 2025 | Create Login.gov or ID.me account |
| eBenefits portal | ❌ Fully retired | All functions moved to VA.gov |
Setting Up Login.gov or ID.me
Login.gov is a federal government account system — the VA’s preferred option. Create your account at Login.gov. You’ll need a government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport), your Social Security number, and a phone or email for multi-factor authentication. Identity verification is required for VA benefit access.
ID.me is a private identity verification service used by the VA, Social Security Administration, and many state agencies. Create an account at ID.me. ID.me uses facial recognition technology for identity verification — if you have concerns about facial recognition (including if your appearance has changed due to medical treatment), Login.gov offers alternative verification methods including in-person verification at participating post offices.
Your benefits and records are not affected by the sign-in change — only the login method changes. Once you’re signed in through Login.gov or ID.me, you have the same access to claims status, healthcare management, records requests, and benefit applications as before.
Lost or Damaged Records: How to Get Replacements
The 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis destroyed approximately 16–18 million Official Military Personnel Files, primarily affecting Army veterans discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960, and Air Force veterans discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964. If your records were affected by the fire, you’re not without options.
The NPRC can reconstruct lost records using alternate sources including separation documents, pay records, morning reports, unit diaries, hospital records, and other documents not stored at the facility. The reconstruction process takes longer than a standard records request but can recover most service information needed for benefit claims. Indicate on your SF-180 submission that your records may have been affected by the fire.
Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) — the American Legion, VFW, DAV, and others — can assist with records reconstruction at no charge. Locate a VSO representative at VA.gov/vso.
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The rating that brings a DoD ID card, base privileges and the largest state benefits.
Compare what all 50 states offer once you can prove your status and rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
The VIC works at businesses that participate in the VA’s voluntary discount program — but participation is entirely at each business’s discretion. Most major retailers, restaurants, and hotels that offer veteran discounts accept the VIC. Some businesses that offer veteran discounts through ID.me or SheerID verification (T-Mobile, for example) have their own verification systems and may not use the VIC at all. Your state veteran designation on your driver’s license is often accepted just as widely and is easier to show on the spot.
Yes. Physical VIC cards issued before September 2022 remain valid and can continue to be used for discounts. The VA stopped issuing physical cards in September 2022, but existing physical cards were not recalled or invalidated. If you lose your physical card, your replacement will be a digital card.
No. DS Logon was retired on November 18, 2025, and is no longer accepted on VA.gov or any VA online service. You need to create either a Login.gov or ID.me account. Your benefits and records are fully intact — the only thing that changed is how you sign in. Go to VA.gov and select “Create an account” to set up Login.gov or ID.me.
Yes — with a USID card. Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled qualify for a DoD USID card that grants access to military installations, commissaries, exchanges, and MWR facilities. You must obtain the card in person at a RAPIDS office on a military installation. Bring your VA rating letter confirming 100% service-connected disability and a government-issued photo ID. Schedule an appointment at idco.dmdc.osd.mil.
Yes, if you served in the National Guard or Reserves and received an honorable or general discharge. The VIC eligibility explicitly includes National Guard (including Coast Guard) and Reserve service — you don’t need to have served on active duty to qualify for the VIC.
For discounts, a Veteran ID Card, a VHIC, a DoD ID card or a state driver’s license with a veteran designation. For VA benefits, federal hiring preference and legal proof of service, you need your DD-214 or other separation document. For benefits tied to a disability rating, such as property tax exemptions, you need a VA Benefit Summary Letter, which you can download from VA.gov.
Download your VA Benefit Summary Letter from the Download VA letters page on VA.gov. It shows your service history and disability compensation details, and it is the document most states, county assessors and DMVs ask for. A VHIC marked Service Connected shows you have a rating but not the percentage.
Yes. Since January 1, 2020, veterans whose VHIC shows Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Former POW or Service Connected, at any rating, can shop at commissaries and exchanges and use some MWR facilities, as can approved VA caregivers. You first enroll at the installation visitor center, and credit card purchases carry a 1.43% fee.
This article is provided by USMilitary.org, an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Department of Defense, VA, or any government agency. For official applications and current program details, visit VA.gov.
