Veteran identification card The Veterans Identification Card ( VIC ) ia a identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) for eligible Veterans for use at VA Medical Facilities . The VIC protects the privacy of Veterans ' sensitive information , as it no longer displays the Social Security Number or Date of Birth on the front of the card . The VIC will only display the Veteran ' s name , picture , and special eligibility indicators - Service Connected , Purple Heart and Former POW , if applicable , on the front of the card . Only Veterans who are eligible for VA medical benefits will receive the card . Unofficial cards such as the Veterans Advantage Card offer discounts to Veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project , unlike the official Veteran identification card offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs . Use Purpose . Purpose . The only purpose of the card is for identification and check - in for VA appointments at VA Medical Centers ( VAMC ) , Outpatient Clinics ( OPC ) and Community Based Outpatient Clinics ( CBOC ) . The VIC cannot be used as a credit card or an insurance card , and it does not authorize or pay for care at non - VA facilities . Discounts . There is no “ veterans discount card . ” However , there are a variety of different forms of ID , including a military identification card and the Veteran Identification Card ( VIC ) . There are also membership cards issued by various veteran ’ s groups , including the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars . Many people use their DD214 for identification . None of these identifications automatically entitle you to any discounts or privileges . Each individual business determines its own criteria for offering a discount , and each individual business determines to whom it is going to offer a discount . Access to Base Facilities . The VIC can not be used to gain entry to military bases . However , it can be used as an ID upon request by gate guards when entering the base with an escort , such as active duty personnel , or one who has base access . According to U . S . Department of Veterans Affairs , access to the Post or Base Exchange system is generally restricted to active - duty soldiers and their direct dependents . Former service members have access , and will be issued standard military ID cards if they are 20 - year retired veterans , medically retired veterans , or 100 percent VA - rated disabled veterans . 100 % service connected disability ID Cards are identical to retired cards except : they are tan in color ; and they only allow for use of the Exchange , Commissary , and MWR . Unofficial Veterans ID Cards . Many veterans groups and printing companies advertise offers for " Veterans ID Cards " . However , these are not an official veterans identification card issued by the government , and it is highly unlikely these cards would be recognized in any official capacity . Caution should be used before giving any personal identification to a non - government organization . New VIC . The new VIC Card was introduced in 2004 to reduce Veterans ’ vulnerability to identity theft and to demonstrate the VA ’ s commitment to securing the confidential personal information of enrolled Veterans . Veterans with the old and outdated version of the VIC ( which displays the Social Security Number and the Date of Birth ) , must replace the card with the new card . Veterans with the old card should report to their local VA Medical Facility to have a new card issued . Qualification . Basic Eligibility . If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable , you may qualify for VA health care benefits . Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as well . Reserves or National Guard members with active duty for training purposes only do not meet the basic eligibility requirement . Minimum Duty Requirements . Most Veterans who enlisted after September 7 , 1980 , or entered active duty after October 16 , 1981 , must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible . This minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans who were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty , for a hardship or “ early out , ” or those who served prior to September 7 , 1980 . Since there are a number of other exceptions to the minimum duty requirements , VA encourages all Veterans to apply so that they may determine their enrollment eligibility . " Veterans who may qualify : " " This is not a comprehensive list and veterans should check with the VA to see if they qualify . Many unique circumstances lead to qualification . " Presently , veteran identification cards are only issued at the federal level by the government for entry into VA Hospital s ; DD Form 214 , a " certificate of release or discharge " , has been issued to all veterans since 1950 . The DD214 is criticized as being too bulky and sensitive to carry around for veterans ' benefits in comparison to a pocket - sized card . On September 2011 , the " Veterans ID Card Act , HR 2985 " , was introduced by Reps . Todd Akin , R - Mo . , and Silvestre Reyes , D - Texas , both Army veterans . The bill would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue photo identification cards to veterans who are not retirees ( who receive identification cards from the Department of Defense ) but who also do not presently receive VA medical benefits . State and local Veterans Cards . Other jurisdictions at the state , county and municipal levels have also created their own identification card schemes for easier veteran access to discounts and other benefits within the jurisdiction . In New Jersey , the movement for veterans ' ID cards has taken effect on a county - by - county basis . A bill allowing all counties in New Jersey to issue state - created veterans ' ID cards , " S - 323 " , is being sponsored by Sen . Jim Whelan . In New Jersey , Salem County began issuing veterans ' ID cards on October 10 , 2011 . Other counties offering such cards include : In Florida , the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs issues " Disabled Veterans ' Identification Cards " to Florida residents who are certified by the US DVA as eligible for disability compensation . In Delaware , VICs are issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles . In Michigan , ID card programs have been introduced in the counties of Oakland , Macomb , Kalamazoo , Livingston and Washtenaw . In New York , the Monroe County In Ohio , ID card programs have been introduced in Lucas County . Virginia ' s governor , Bob McDonnell announced the launch of a Virginia Veterans ID Card program on May 30 , 2012 . The card will identify veterans and establish their status with retailers who may offer discounts to veterans . To qualify the veteran must have a valid Virginia driver ' s license or DMV ID card and present a DD - 214 , DD - 256 , or War Department Adjutant General ' s Office ( WD AGO ) document . The fee for the card as of May 30 is $ 10 ; the cards do not expire . Veterans can apply in person at any Virginia DMV office , on line at www . dmvnow . com , or by fax . In Connecticut , Governor Malloy announced that military veterans can have their veteran status marked on a Connecticut - issued drivers license or state - issued ID card .