Installation Access Card For Caregivers: Fill & Download for Free

Yes, veterans can use on-base military exchanges & commissaries. The Department of Defense & Veterans Affairs decided to allow commissary & exchange use beyond its regular patron base. of active/ retired personnel & their dependents. As of January 2020, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, all service-connected disabled veterans & caregivers enrolled in the VA's Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers program will be permitted to shop on base.Newly-eligible veterans & caregivers will have access to all Department of Defense & Coast Guard MWR retail activities, including entertainment, clubs, recreational lodging & resorts, special interest activities, bowling, golf, restaurants, marinas, equipment rental, movie theaters, vehicle storage, kennels, American Forces Travel & other benefits/privileges.With the Commissary open to eligible veterans & caregivers, there are added costs to their purchases at the commissary as mandated by the DOD. Under the fiscal 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, the extra costs associated with their purchase will offset any increased expenses incurred by the Department of the Treasury associated with the use of credit & debit cards.There will be a standard surcharge for Commissary purchases in addition to a fee for credit cards & fees for debit card use. Commissary customers do not have to pay these added fees if they make their purchase using cash, check, or with the Military Star Card issued to all those eligible.To make a purchase, veterans must present their Veterans Health Identification Card at the point of sale at Commissary & Exchange stores as well as at MWR centers to complete their transaction. Check on the internet under the Department of Veterans Affairs website or VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.Newly-eligible patrons are encouraged to go to the visitors' center at the military or DOD installation they plan to use their new privileges to register their credentials. Veterans must bring their Veteran Health Identification Card & caregivers must bring their eligibility letter that will be sent out via mail by the VA. They must also present picture identification that meets the REAL ID Act requirements, such as a valid state driver's license or passport.Before being placed in the system, new patrons must pass a background check that will happen when they enroll in the system. Veterans with felony convictions, arrests, warrants, or other types of derogatory information related to criminal history will not be permitted entry.Once their identification is validated & they pass a background check, patrons can regularly access secure military installations to shop.

No, and you just can’t walk in. A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) is required.There are distinct, specific eligibility requirements. There are new Commissary and Exchange users, as well for WMR facilities. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, all service-connected disabled veterans and caregivers enrolled in the VA's Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers program will be permitted to shop.It is not an open door policy and the process can be tedious. Base access is very restrictive. Go to VA.gov | Veterans Affairs for information regarding eligibility for the VHIC and the application process.“Veterans eligible solely under this act who are not enrolled in or are not eligible to enroll in VA health care, or who are enrolled in VA health care, but do not possess a VHIC will not have access to DoD and Coast Guard installations for in-person commissary, exchange, and MWR retail privileges, but will have full access to online exchanges and American Forces Travel.”For Covid-19 restrictions see Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)Bases may have implemented their own restrictions. There are nuances that exist. E.g. VA assistance shoppers can not use the self-checkout. There will be a standard 5% surcharge for all Commissary purchases plus a 1.9% fee for credit cards and .5% fees for debit card use. Commissary customers do not have to pay these credit card fees if they make their purchase using cash, check or with the Military Star card. (Veterans can apply for one. Easiest and quickest way is to go Customer Service in the Exchange before you shop)Once you have applied and passed a background check (no felons), go to the visitors' center at the military or DOD installation you will use and register. You must bring your Veteran Health Identification Card or caregiver eligibility letter from the VA. Both categories of shoppers must present a picture ID that meets the requirements of the REAL ID Act, such as a valid state driver's license or passport.Please be aware (especially caregivers) that Military Installations typically have additional restrictions. You need to give way to military formations, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, no dash cameras, obey all signage (especially restricted areas), special parking for senior officers and senior enlisted, and be obedient drivers. Don’t be hesitant to ask questions at the visitor center, it is their mission to welcome and help you.Additional info link click here>Expanded Commissary & Exchange Privileges

Starting Jan. 1, all Department of Veterans Affairs service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary veteran caregivers will be eligible to shop at commissaries and exchanges on base, and to use certain morale, welfare and recreation facilities. All veterans with VA service-connected disability ratings of 0 to 90 percent are newly eligible.Service-connected disabled and other veterans who are newly eligible will use their veterans health ID card, or VHIC to gain access to the installation, and to shop.