Eligible Veterans can shop at Defense commissaries

[GP6971]

I posted about this 2 years ago and the VA just mentioned it in their latest bulletin.

https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/101540/eligible-veterans-can-shop-at-defense-commissaries/?utm_source=middle&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VetResources&utm_id=23MAR2022

In 2020, commissary shopping benefits expanded to include more Veterans, as the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 (part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019) authorized the Department of Defense to expand access to commissary shopping privileges to additional valued members of the military community.

Expanding privileges
The law, which took effect January 1, 2020, extends commissary shopping privileges to:

Veterans with any VA-documented service-connected disabilities;
Purple Heart recipients;
Former prisoners of war; and
Individuals assessed, approved and designated as primary family caregivers to eligible Veterans under VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
Veterans and designated caregivers are encouraged to check their commissary privilege qualifications.

Obtaining the proper identification
Obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) and ensure it reflects eligibility through one of the required designations: SERVICE CONNECTED, MEDAL OF HONOR, PURPLE HEART or FORMER POW. The card and designation will be required during the commissary check-out process.

Find out more about how to obtain a VHIC here.

Checking installation access policies
Contact the commissary’s installation and ask about current installation access policies.

Checking for “user” fees before paying
The law expanding commissary access also requires charging user fees when shoppers pay for purchases with commercial credit or debit cards. This fee imposes an additional 1.9% for credit cards and 0.5% for debit cards with a PIN. (The 1.9% fee also applies when using a signature debit card, because it is processed as a credit card transaction.)

Shoppers will not be subject to user fees if paying with the MILITARY STAR® card, cash or EBT. Learn more about the MILITARY STAR® card here.

Enjoying commissary benefits, value
Commissaries serve shoppers who have served our Nation by selling groceries and household products to authorized customers at a substantial cost savings. Commissary benefits include:

A shopping environment exclusively serving the military community with a workforce that understands shopper needs.
Prices saving customers thousands of dollars per year, on average, when compared to commercial store prices.
Commissary Store Brands offering quality products on par with national brands and even greater savings.
Convenience of using CLICK2GO for online shopping and curbside pickup.
Additional savings through digital coupons and promotional sales flyers.
The commissary is here to serve those who have served our Nation. For more information, visit Your Commissary.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. My husband is Retired Military..

We have privileges to get on any Military Base, reserve rooms at Base Lodging, shop at the Base Exchange and Commissary, get prescriptions filled, etc. We both have Military IDs.

[GP6971]

2. This is for non-retired veterans

that are enrolled and receive their health care through the VA.

I forgot to mention that a lot MWR facilities are also open.

[Twoflower]

4. The best thing about being retired is the on base medical. I've never had to use the VA.

[marie999]

8. I use the VA and it is great.

My VA clinic only has primary care, psychiatrist, blood work, and vaccines. That means all my other doctors are local doctors and I have a large choice of doctors, usually 5 for every specialty.

[rickford66]

3. As a Vet with no disability, I get discounts at many businesses just by asking.

Not every business advertises this, but it doesn't hurt to ask. At restaurants, I tip 20% of the pre-discount tab. LOWE's, Home Depot etc require registering. Other places just need to see your DD-214, ID or drivers license showing veteran status.

[GP6971]

7. I heard that Home Depot

extended the benefit to online sales. I have yet to check it out though.

[Mysterian]

13. Yes, they did and it works

Just bought a shed kit from Home Depot online with $400 discount. Home Depot trying to keep up with Lowe's, apparently. Previously, Lowe's let me order the same shed with the discount, but then sent me an email that the shed was out of stock. That got me looking at HD and found out they had implemented the military discount for online.

[DashOneBravo]

10. I think I learned about that on DU

Our state puts it on your drivers license. You have to drop a DD214 though.

[70sEraVet]

5. I've been out of the military for 45 years, and I'm only now applying for a disability.

A service-connected injury has worsened, making simple tasks very painful. Nice to know that I could shop at the base commissary.
Thanks, GP6971!

[GP6971]

6. Check with you state to see

if they have a Veterans Affairs Dept. If they do they often have VA advocates that can help you file your claim. In my state (WA) they actually filed on my behalf. I applied in March and was entered into the VA health care system by early July.

[DashOneBravo]

9. Good luck!

My buddy just got his from frostbite he got in the early 80’s

[70sEraVet]

11. Thanks! It just takes us by surprise, when an injury from half a century ago starts hurting again!

Arthritis makes sure that we don't forget about those injuries.

[DashOneBravo]

12. That's a good point I hadn't thought of.