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New Veterans Identification Card

Posted on December 18, 2017

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently announced that they will be accepting applications for the new national Veterans Identification Card (VIC).

According to the Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015, veterans may apply for an identification card directly from the VA providing all veterans — not just retirees and VA beneficiaries — government-issued credentials verifying that they have served honorably.

This card is not intended to replace identification cards issued to VA beneficiaries or military retirees, but rather enables veterans who are otherwise not eligible for a VA identification card to obtain credentials proving their military service. Any veteran who served in the armed forces, including the reserves, with an honorable or general discharge can apply for a VIC.

According to the VA, you do not need to request this card if you have one of these:

  • Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC), or
  • Department of Defense (DoD) Identification Card (Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID Card, or
  • State-issued ID (Driver’s license) with a Veteran designation or a state-issued Veteran ID Card.

The VA estimates eligible recipients will receive their VIC card in the mail within approximately 3 weeks from the application submission date.

Apply for a VIC card here

I would also like to ensure that all veterans are aware that the State of Connecticut recently deployed a new smartphone app to assist the more than 200,000 veterans who live in the state to better connect with the information on benefits and services that are available. It can be downloaded free of charge from the iTunes Store and Google Play Store by searching the keyword “CTVeterans.” Directed toward veterans, those who are currently serving, their families, and supporters of veterans, the app provides a directory of services the state provides for veterans, as well as access to the Veterans Crisis hotline and information on how to support veterans in the state.

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