Want to know more? Check out the FAQs on the following pages.

The Department of Defense is proud to expand

commissary, exchange and morale, welfare and

recreation program retail eligibility to:

• PurpleHeartrecipients

• Formerprisonersofwar

• Allveteranswithservice-connecteddisabilities

• Individualsapprovedanddesignatedasthe primaryfamilycaregiversofeligibleveteransenrolled undertheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsProgramof

ComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers

TheDoD,VAandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity

arecollaboratingtoimplementthePurpleHeartand

DisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018forthose

whowillbeeligibleforthisbenefitonJan.1,2020.

Facilities like these will be open to the newly eligible

patrons starting Jan. 1, 2020:

• Commissaries*

• Militaryserviceexchanges

• Golfcourses

• Bowlingcenters

• Recreationallodging

• RVcampgrounds

• Movietheaters

• Andmore!

*DoDisrequiredtochargeasmallfeetonewuserswhoareeligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,tocoveranyincreaseincoststotheU.S.Treasuryforprocessingcommercialcreditanddebitcards.

More veterans and caregivers to have eligibility.

Department of Defense Expanding Access to Military Commissaries,

Exchanges and Recreation Facilities

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Q: Are disabled veterans eligible for privileges at commissaries, military exchanges and morale, welfare

and recreation activities?

A: Yes.VeteranswithaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingwillbeeligible

forDepartmentofDefenseandCoastGuardcommissary,exchangeandMWRretailprivilegesbeginningJan.1,2020,

underthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018.Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutofthese

privileges,veteranseligiblesolelyunderthisact(PurpleHeartrecipients,formerprisonersofwar,orveteranswithVA-

documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingsof0-90percent)whohavebeenissuedaVeteranHealthIdentification

CardfromVAcanpresenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsandsomecommissarystores;

andatpointofsaleatcommissaries,exchangesandMWRretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions.TheVHICmust

displaytheVeteran’seligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).

VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhoarenotenrolledinorarenoteligibletoenrollinVAhealthcare,orwhoare

enrolledinVAhealthcare,butdonotpossessaVHICwillnothaveaccesstoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsfor

in-personcommissary,exchange,andMWRretailprivileges,butwillhavefullaccesstoonlineexchangesandAmerican

ForcesTravel.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityfortheVHICandthe

applicationprocess.

Q: If I don’t have a service-connected disability, but I meet one of the other new user categories, will I be eligible

for privileges?

A: Yes.Ifyoudon’thaveaservice-connecteddisability,butyouareaveteranwhowasawardedthePurpleHeart,a

veteranwhowasaformerprisonerofwar,oranindividualapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiver

ofaneligibleveteranundertheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamily

Caregivers,youwillbeeligibleforprivilegesprovidedforunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccess

Actof2018.Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,veteranswhoarePurpleHeartrecipientsorformer

prisonersofwarwhohavebeenissuedaVeteranHealthIdentificationCardfromtheVAcanpresenttheirVHICto

gainentrytoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsandsomecommissarystores;andatpointofsaleatcommissaries,

exchangesandmorale,welfareandrecreationretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions,TheVHICmustdisplay

theVeteran’seligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).

VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhoarenotenrolledinorarenoteligibletoenrollinVAhealthcare,orare

enrolledinVAhealthcare,butdonotpossessaVHICwillnothaveaccesstoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsforin-

personcommissary,exchange,andMWRretailprivileges,butwillhavefullaccesstoonlineexchangesandAmerican

ForcesTravel.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityfortheVHICandthe

applicationprocess.

PrimaryfamilycaregiversmustpresentaneligibilitylettertofacilitateDepartmentofDefenseandCoastGuard

installationandprivilegeaccess.EligibilityletterswillbemailedtoenrolledprimaryfamilycaregiversfromtheVA’s

OfficeofCommunityCare.

Q: What’s the definition of a service-connected disability?

A: Aservice-connecteddisabilityisaninjuryorillnessthatwasincurredoraggravatedduringactivemilitaryservice,

asdeterminedbytheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs.

Q: I was in the Reserves, am I included?

A: Yes.ReservememberswhoareveteranswhowereawardedthePurpleHeart,veteranswhoareformerprisoners

ofwar,orveteranswithaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-connecteddisabilitywillbeeligible

forprivilegesprovidedforunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018.Duringthefirst

phaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,veteranseligiblesolelyunderthisact(PurpleHeartrecipients,formerprisoners

ofwar,orveteranswithVA-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingsof0-90percent)whohavebeenissued

aVeteranHealthIdentificationCardfromVAcanpresenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDepartmentofDefenseand

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

CoastGuardinstallationsandsomecommissarystores;andatpointofsaleatcommissaries,exchangesandmorale,

welfareandrecreationretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions,TheVHICmustdisplaytheVeteran’seligibility

status(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).

VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhoarenotenrolledinorarenoteligibletoenrollinVAhealthcare,orwho

areenrolledinVAhealthcare,butdonotpossessaVHICwillnothaveaccesstoDoDandCoastGuardinstallations

forin-personcommissary,exchange,andMWRretailprivileges,butwillhavefullaccesstoonlineexchangesand

AmericanForcesTravel.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityforthe

VHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Q: Are veterans of the U.S. Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

eligible for these privileges?

A: Yes.IfacommissionedofficeroftheregularorReserveCorpsofthePublicHealthServiceoracommissionedofficer

oftheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationmeetstherequirementsforbeingconsideredaveteran

underSection101ofTitle38,UnitedStatesCode,andwasawardedthePurpleHeart,isaformerprisonersofwar,

orhasaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-connecteddisability,theyareeligibleforprivileges

providedforunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018.Duringthefirstphaseof

rolloutoftheseprivileges,veteranseligiblesolelyunderthisact(PurpleHeartrecipients,formerprisonersofwar,or

veteranswithVA-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingsof0-90percent)whohavebeenissuedaVeteran

HealthIdentificationCardfromtheVAcanpresenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDepartmentofDefenseandCoast

Guardinstallationsandsomecommissarystores;andatpointofsaleatcommissaries,exchangesandmorale,welfare

andrecreationretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions,TheVHICmustdisplaytheVeteran’seligibilitystatus

(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).

VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhoarenotenrolledinorarenoteligibletoenrollinVAhealthcare,orwho

areenrolledinVAhealthcare,butdonotpossessaVHICwillnothaveaccesstoDoDandCoastGuardinstallations

forin-personcommissary,exchange,andMWRretailprivileges,butwillhavefullaccesstoonlineexchangesand

AmericanForcesTravel.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityforthe

VHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Q: Does an authorized caregiver have to be the disabled veteran’s spouse?

A: No.AnauthorizedcaregivereligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018

doesnothavetobethedisabledveteran’sspouse.Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,anauthorized

caregivermustbetheindividualapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiverofaneligibleveteran

undertheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers.Visit

https://www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/comprehensive-assistance/forinformationregarding

theProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers.WhentheVAformalizesapprovalanddesignation

ofgeneralcaregiversundertheProgramofGeneralCaregiverSupportServices,theDepartmentofDefensewill

considerexpansionofcaregiverprivilegestothisgroup.

Q: Do caregivers who get these privileges have to be enrolled in a specific program?

A: Yes.Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,acaregivereligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartand

DisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,mustbetheindividualapprovedanddesignatedastheprimary

familycaregiverofaneligibleveteranundertheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsProgramofComprehensive

AssistanceforFamilyCaregiverstoreceivetheseprivileges.Visithttps://www.va.gov/health-care/family-

caregiver-benefits/comprehensive-assistance/forinformationregardingtheProgramofComprehensive

AssistanceforFamilyCaregivers.WhentheVAformalizesapprovalanddesignationofgeneralcaregiversunder

theProgramofGeneralCaregiverSupportServices,theDepartmentofDefensewillconsiderexpansionof

caregiverprivilegestothisgroup.

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

Q: Are all veterans eligible for in-person commissary, exchange and morale, welfare and recreation privileges on

Department of Defense installations?

A: No.Unlessotherwiseauthorizedcommissary,exchangeandMWRaccess,onlyveteranswhoarePurpleHeart

recipients,veteranswhoareformerprisonersofwarorveteranswhohaveaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-

documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingof0-90percentareauthorizedin-personprivilegesbeginningon

Jan.1,2020,asprovidedforinthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018.Duringthefirst

phaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,veteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhohavebeenissuedaVeteranHealth

IdentificationCardfromVAcanpresenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsandsome

commissaries,exchangesandMWRretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions.TheVHICmustdisplaythe

veteran’seligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).

VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhoarenotenrolledinorarenoteligibletoenrollinVAhealthcare,orwho

areenrolledinVAhealthcare,butdonotpossessaVHICwillnothaveaccesstoDoDandCoastGuardinstallations

forin-personcommissary,exchangeandMWRretailprivileges,butwillhavefullaccesstoonlineexchangesand

AmericanForcesTravel.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityforthe

VHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Whilenotallveteransareeligibleforin-personprivilegesonDoDandCoastGuardinstallations,allhonorably

dischargedveteransareeligibleforonlinemilitaryexchangeshoppingthroughtheVeteransOnlineShopping

Benefit.Toaccessyouronlineshoppingbenefit,veteransnoteligibleforin-personprivilegesshouldfollowthe

instructionstoestablishanaccountatanyofthefollowingmilitaryexchangewebsites,ortheVA’sVeterans

CanteenService:

• ArmyandAirForceExchangeSystem:https://www.shopmyexchange.com

• CoastGuardExchange:https://shopCGX.com

• MarineCorpsExchange:http://www.mymcx.com

• NavyExchangeCommand:https://www.mynavyexchange.com

• VeteransCanteenService:https://shopvcs.va.gov

Q: Why can’t all veterans get these privileges?

A: ThePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018recognizestheserviceofthosewhoendured

captivityduringconflict,werewoundedincombatorsustainedaservice-connecteddisabilityandtheindividuals

approvedanddesignatedastheircaregiversunderaformalizedDepartmentofVeteransAffairscaregiverprogram.

Whilenotallveteransareeligibleforin-personprivilegesonDoDinstallations,allhonorablydischargedveteransare

eligibleforonlinemilitaryexchangeshoppingthroughtheVeteransOnlineShoppingBenefit.Toaccessyouronline

shoppingbenefit,veteransnoteligibleforin-personprivilegesshouldfollowtheinstructionstoestablishanaccount

atanyofthefollowingmilitaryexchangewebsites,ortheVA’sVeteransCanteenService:

• ArmyandAirForceExchangeSystem:https://www.shopmyexchange.com

• CoastGuardExchange:https://shopCGX.com

• MarineCorpsExchange:http://www.mymcx.com

• NavyExchangeCommand:https://www.mynavyexchange.com

• VeteransCanteenService:https://shopvcs.va.gov

Q: Will family members of the eligible veterans and caregivers also have the same privileges?

A: No.OnlytheveteransandcaregiverseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessAct

of2018willhavetheseprivileges.TheveteransandcaregiverseligibleareveteranswhowereawardedthePurple

Heart,veteranswhoareformerprisonersofwar,veteranswithaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-

connecteddisabilityratingof0-90percentandindividualsapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiver

ofaneligibleveteranundertheVAProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers.Eligibilityforthese

privilegesistiedtoeligibilityforandenrollmentinspecificVAprograms.Familymembersoftheseeligibleveterans

andcaregiverswhoarenoteligiblefortheseprivilegesintheirownrightarenotauthorizedprivileges.

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

VeteranswhoareMedalofHonorrecipientsandveteranswithaVA-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingof

100percent,aswellastheirauthorizedfamilymembersareeligibleforprivilegesinpreviouslyestablishedDepartment

ofDefensepolicy.

WHY?

Q: Why do these veterans get these privileges regardless of time served?

A: ThePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018recognizestheserviceofthosewhoendured

captivityduringconflict,werewoundedincombatorsustainedaservice-connecteddisabilityandtheindividuals

approvedanddesignatedastheircaregiversunderaformalizedDepartmentofVeteransAffairscaregiverprogram.

Q: Are these new users being authorized to help the Department of Defense boost retail store profits?

A: No.ThePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018recognizestheserviceofthosewhoendured

captivityduringconflict,werewoundedincombatorsustainedaservice-connecteddisabilityandtheindividuals

approvedanddesignatedastheircaregiversunderaformalizedDepartmentofVeteransAffairscaregiverprogram.

Q: If the commissary is required to deliver groceries at a discount over commercial grocery stores and it relies on

appropriated funds to do that, wouldn’t it take more appropriated funds to serve more people?

A: WhiletheDepartmentofDefenserecognizesthatimplementationofthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqual

AccessActof2018willlikelyincreaseoperatingexpensesatcommissaries,theDepartmentwillcomplywiththisact.

TheDepartmentwillanalyzetheimpactonthecommissarysystemandmakeadjustmentsasneededtominimizeany

negativeconsequences.

SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Q: How is this going to affect the service experience of previously authorized patrons?

A: Commissary,exchangeandmorale,welfareandrecreationretailfacilitiesarepreparingtowelcomehomethese

patronswithoutdisruptingthecurrentserviceexperienceforauthorizedpatrons.Mostlocationswillexperiencelittle

tonoimpactoncurrentoperations.Installationsinhighcost-of-livingareasmayexperiencelowtomoderateimpact.

Wearecommittedtodeliveringahigh-qualityexperienceforallpatrons.

Q: What level of priority will newly-eligible veterans and caregivers be afforded when accessing commissary,

exchange and morale, welfare and recreation retail privileges?

A: NewuserseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,willreceivethe

samepriorityandservicelevelsasmilitaryretireesforactivitiesauthorizedunderthislaw.Thesenewpatronsmaybe

prioritizedlowerthanmilitaryretireesifauthorizedaccesstoadditionalMWRactivitiesbytheDepartmentofDefense.

GAINING ACCESS

Q: Can I use a Veterans Identification Card to get on an installation to access my privileges?

A: No.TheVICisnotanacceptableformofidentificationtofacilitateinstallationorprivilegeaccessatDepartmentof

DefenseandCoastGuardinstallations.Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,veteranseligiblesolely

underthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018(veteranswhoarePurpleHeartrecipients,

veteranswhoareformerprisonersofwarandveteranswithaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-

connecteddisabilityratingof0-90percent)whohavebeenissuedaVeteranHealthIdentificationCardfromVAcan

presenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsandsomecommissarystores;andatpointof

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

saleatcommissaries,exchangesandmorale,welfareandrecreationretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions.

TheVHICmustdisplaytheVeteran’seligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).

VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthisactwhoarenotenrolledinorarenoteligibletoenrollinVAhealthcare,orwho

areenrolledinVAhealthcare,butdonotpossessaVHICwillnothaveaccesstoDoDandCoastGuardinstallations

forin-personcommissary,exchangeandMWRretailprivileges,butwillhavefullaccesstoonlineexchangesand

AmericanForcesTravel.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityforthe

VHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Uponthefirstvisittoaninstallation,theseeligibleveteransmuststopatthevisitorcontrolcenter.Dependingonthe

typeofinstallation,veteransmaybeenrolledforrecurringaccess,whichwouldallowthemtoproceedtothegatefor

entryuponsubsequentvisitswithouthavingtostopagainatthevisitorcontrolcenter.

AswithallotherindividualsseekingaccesstoDoDinstallations,alleligibleveteransmustpassabasicon-the-spot

backgroundcheckpriortoenrollingandanautomatedcheckeachtimetheyentertheinstallation.Veteranswith

felonyconvictions,felonyarrestwarrantsorothertypesofderogatoryinformationrelatedtocriminalhistoryor

terrorismwillnotbepermittedentry.

VeteranswhoareMedalofHonorrecipientsandveteranswithVA-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingsof

100percentareeligibleforaDoD-issuedidentificationcardthatwillfacilitateinstallationandprivilegeaccess.

Q: How do I get an identification card that will get me on installations to access my privileges?

A: VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018(veteranswho

arePurpleHeartrecipients,veteranswhoareformerprisonersofwar,veteranswithaDepartmentofVeterans

Affairs-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingof0-90percent)whoareeligibletoobtainaVeteranHealth

IdentificationCardmustobtainaVHICfromtheVAtofacilitateDepartmentofDefenseandCoastGuardinstallation

andprivilegeaccess.TheVHICmustdisplaytheeligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOW,SERVICE

CONNECTED).TheseeligibleveteransmustpresenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDoDandCoastGuardinstallations

andsomecommissarystores;andatpointofsaleatcommissaries,exchangesandmorale,welfareandrecreation

retailfacilitiestocompletetheirtransactions.Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformation

regardingeligibilityfortheVHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,caregiverseligiblesolelyunderthisactwillreceivealetterfrom

theVAOfficeofCommunityCarethatindicatestheyareapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiverof

aneligibleveteranundertheProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregiversandareeligibleforthese

privileges.Forinstallationaccess,entrytosomecommissarystoresandatpointofsaleatcommissaries,exchanges

andMWRretailfacilities,eligiblecaregiverswillneedtoshowanacceptablecredential,alongwiththeireligibility

letter.Acceptablecredentialsmayinclude:

• DoDcommonaccesscard(whenotherwiseeligible)

• DoDuniformedservicesidentificationcard(whenotherwiseeligible)

• REALID-compliantdriver’slicenseissuedbyastate,territory,possessionortheDistrictofColumbia

• REALID-compliantnon-driver’slicenseissuedbyastate,territory,possessionortheDistrictofColumbia

• Enhanceddriver’slicenseissuedbyastate,territory,possessionortheDistrictofColumbia

• U.S.passportorpassportcard

• Foreignpassportbearinganunexpiredimmigrantornon-immigrantvisaorentrystamp

• Federalpersonalidentityverificationcard(whenotherwiseeligible)

• VHIC

• TransportationWorkerIdentificationCard

Uponthefirstvisittoaninstallation,eligibleveteransandcaregiversmuststopatthevisitorcontrolcenter.Depending

onthetypeofinstallationandtheacceptablecredentialpresented,veteransandcaregiversmaybeenrolledfor

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

recurringaccess,whichwouldallowthemtoproceedtothegateforentryuponsubsequentvisitswithouthavingto

stopagainatthevisitorcontrolcenter.

AswithallotherindividualsseekingaccesstoDoDinstallations,alleligibleveteransandcaregiversmustpassabasic

on-the-spotbackgroundcheckpriortoenrollingandanautomatedcheckeachtimetheyentertheinstallation.Veterans

andcaregiverswithfelonyconvictions,felonyarrestwarrantsorothertypesofderogatoryinformationrelatedto

criminalhistoryorterrorismwillnotbepermittedentry.

VeteranswhoareMedalofHonorrecipientsandveteranswithVA-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingsof

100percentareeligibleforaDoD-issuedidentificationcardthatwillfacilitateinstallationandprivilegeaccess.

Q: How do I get a Veteran Health Identification Card, or VHIC?

A: TheDepartmentofVeteransAffairscurrentlyissuestheVHICtoveteransenrolledinVAhealthcare.Visithttps://

www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformationregardingeligibilityfortheVHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Q: If my only eligibility for these privileges is my zero percent Department of Veterans Affairs-documented

service-connected condition, but I am not eligible to obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card, can I bring

another form of VA-documentation to access these privileges?

A: No.OnJan.1,2020,onlyveteranswithasecure,scannableVA-issuedVHICwillbeauthorizedaccesstoin-person

commissary,militaryexchangeandmorale,welfareandrecreationprivilegesonDoDandCoastGuardinstallations.

WhenDoDandVAidentifyacredentialingsolutionforallVeteranseligibleunderthePurpleHeartandDisabled

VeteransEqualAccessActof2018,DoDwillrolloutanewphaseofaccesstoaccommodatecurrentveteranswho

arenoteligibletoobtainaVHICbutareeligiblefortheseprivileges.

Untilacredentialingsolutionisidentified,youareeligibleforonlinemilitaryexchangeandAmericanForces

Travelprivileges.

Q: What’s the difference between a Veteran Identification Card and a Veteran Health Identification Card?

A: TheVICisissuedtoanyhonorablyorgenerallydischargedveteran.TheVHICisonlyissuedtothoseveteranswhoare

enrolledinDepartmentofVeteransAffairshealthcareanddisplaystheveterans’eligibilitystatusonthecard(e.g.,

PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOW,SERVICECONNECTED).

Q: If I meet one of the new eligibility requirements, but I don’t have a Veteran Health Identification Card, how can

I get on an installation to access these privileges?

A: Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,onlyeligibleveteranswhohavebeenissuedaVHICfromVAcan

presenttheirVHICtogainentrytoDoDandCoastGuardinstallationsandtoaccesscommissaries,exchangesand

morale,welfareandrecreationretailactivities.TheVHICmustdisplaytheveteran’seligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLE

HEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).Visithttps://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhicforinformation

regardingeligibilityfortheVHICandtheapplicationprocess.

Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,caregiversmustobtainaletterfromtheVAOfficeofCommunity

Carethatindicatestheyaretheapprovedanddesignatedprimaryfamilycaregiverofaneligibleveteranunderthe

ProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregiversandareeligiblefortheseprivileges.Forinstallationaccess

andatpointofsale,caregiverswillneedtoshowanacceptablecredential(e.g.,REALID-compliantdriver’slicenseor

U.S.passport)andtheireligibilityletter.

VeteranseligibleforDoDandCoastGuardinstallationandprivilegeaccessthroughpreviouslyestablishedDoDand

CoastGuardpolicy(i.e.,MedalofHonorrecipientsandveteranswithVA-documentedservice-connecteddisability

ratingsof100percent)mayobtainaDoDidentificationcardtofacilitateinstallationandprivilegeaccess.

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

Q: How will newly eligible veterans and caregivers get access to installations?

A: Toaccesstheinstallation,veteranseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessAct

of2018,whohavebeenissuedaVeteranHealthIdentificationCardfromVAcanpresenttheirVHICtogainentryto

DoDandCoastGuardinstallationsandsomecommissarystores;andatpointofsaleatcommissaries,exchangesand

morale,welfareandrecreationretailactivitiestocompletetheirtransactions.TheVHICmustdisplaytheVeteran’s

eligibilitystatus(i.e.,PURPLEHEART,FORMERPOWorSERVICECONNECTED).Uponthefirstvisittotheinstallation,

eligibleveteransmustpresenttheirVHICatthevisitorcontrolcenter.

Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,eligiblecaregiversofveteranswillreceivealetterfromthe

VAOfficeofCommunityCarethatindicatestheyaretheprimaryfamilycaregiverofaneligibleveteranunderthe

ProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregiversandareeligiblefortheseprivileges.Uponthefirstvisit

totheinstallation,caregiverswillpresentthisletterpairedwithanacceptablecredentialatthevisitorcontrolcenter.

Acceptablecredentialsmayinclude:

• DoDcommonaccesscard(whenotherwiseeligible)

• DoDuniformedservicesidentificationcard(whenotherwiseeligible)

• REALID-compliantdriver’slicenseissuedbyastate,territory,possessionortheDistrictofColumbia

• REALID-compliantnon-driver’slicenseissuedbyastate,territory,possessionortheDistrictofColumbia

• Enhanceddriver’slicenseissuedbyastate,territory,possessionortheDistrictofColumbia

• U.S.passportorpassportcard

• Foreignpassportbearinganunexpiredimmigrantornon-immigrantvisaorentrystamp

• Federalpersonalidentityverificationcard(whenotherwiseeligible)

• VHIC

• TransportationWorkerIdentificationCard

Dependingonthetypeofinstallationandtheacceptablecredentialpresented,veteransandcaregiversmaybe

enrolledforrecurringaccess,whichwouldallowthemtoproceedtothegateforentryuponsubsequentvisits

withouthavingtostopagainatthevisitorcontrolcenter.

AswithallotherindividualsseekingaccesstoDoDinstallations,alleligibleveteransandcaregiversmustpassa

basicon-the-spotbackgroundcheckpriortoenrollingandanautomatedcheckeachtimetheyentertheinstallation.

Veteransandcaregiverswithfelonyconvictions,felonyarrestwarrantsorothertypesofderogatoryinformation

relatedtocriminalhistoryorterrorismwillnotbepermittedentry.

Q: How do I access my online exchange and morale, welfare and recreation retail privileges?

A: VeteransalreadyhaveonlineexchangeprivilegesthroughtheVeteransOnlineShoppingBenefit.OnlineMWR

retailaccess(AmericanForcesTravel)willbeavailableJan.1,2020,forveteranseligiblesolelyunderthePurple

HeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018.

IndividualsapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiversofeligibleveteransundertheVAProgramof

ComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregiverswillalsobeeligibleforonlineexchangeandMWRretailprivileges

beginningJan.1,2020.Primaryfamilycaregiverswillbeabletoaccesstheseonlineprivilegeswithin30daysof

receivingtheireligibilityletterfromtheVAOfficeofCommunityCare.

Toaccesstheseonlineprivileges,visit:

• ArmyandAirForceExchangeSystem:https://www.shopmyexchange.com

• CoastGuardExchange:https://shopCGX.com

• MarineCorpsExchange:http://www.mymcx.com

• NavyExchange:https://www.mynavyexchange.com

• AmericanForcesTravel:https://www.AmericanForcesTravel.com

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

WHAT FACILITIES AND SERVICES CAN BE USED?

Q: What morale, welfare and recreation activities will these newly eligible veterans and caregivers be authorized

to use?

A: NewlyeligibleveteransandcaregiversunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,

willhaveaccesstoDepartmentofDefenseandCoastGuardMWRretailactivities,including:entertainment,clubs,

recreationallodging/resorts,specialinterestactivities,bowling,golf,restaurants,marinas,equipmentrental,movie

theaters,vehiclestorage,kennels,AmericanForcesTravel.comandmore.UseofMWRactivitiesprimarilyfunded

byappropriationsandchilddevelopmentprogramsarenotauthorized.

Q: Why won’t these newly eligible veterans and caregivers be allowed to use all of the morale, welfare and

recreation activities?

A: DifferentcategoriesofMWRactivitiesreceiveappropriatedfundstooperate,inrelationtotheirnecessityfor

meetingthemilitarymissionandtheneedsofmilitaryfamilies.ThePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqual

AccessActof2018authorizesaccesstoMWRretailactivities,becausetheseactivitiesaregenerallyself-sustaining

anddonotrelyonappropriationstooperate.

Q: Will commissary, exchange and morale, welfare and recreation retail privileges be available at overseas

installations?

A: AlthoughnewpatronseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,will

havein-storecommissary,militaryexchangeandMWRretailprivilegesintheUnitedStatesandintheU.S.territories

andpossessions,suchaccessisnotguaranteedatinstallationsinforeigncountries.Statusofforcesagreementsand

otherhostnationandinternationallawsandagreementsmaylimitorpreventaccessinforeigncountries.

Q: Will eligibility extend to newly eligible veterans and caregivers no longer living in the United States?

A: AccesscannotbeguaranteedforpatronseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccess

Actof2018,outsideoftheUnitedStatesandoutsideoftheU.S.territoriesandpossessionsduetostatusofforces

agreements,locallawsandotheragreementswithhostcountries.

Q: Will newly eligible veterans and caregivers also be allowed to shop the military exchange online stores?

A: Yes.VeteransandcaregiverswhoareeligibleforexchangebenefitsunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeterans

EqualAccessActof2018,willbeeligibleforallexchangeshoppingvenues,in-storeandonline.

Q: Will newly eligible veterans and caregivers be eligible for a MILITARY STAR card?

A: VeteransandcaregiverswhoareeligibleforcommissaryandexchangeprivilegesthroughthePurpleHeartand

DisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,areeligibletoapplyforaMILITARYSTARcard,basedonthetermsof

eligibilityforthiscreditprogram.

Q: Can caregivers apply for a MILITARY STAR card?

A: Yes.Duringthefirstphaseofrolloutoftheseprivileges,individualsapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamily

caregiversofeligibleveteransundertheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsProgramofComprehensiveAssistance

forFamilyCaregiversareeligibleforcommissaryandexchangeprivilegesthroughthePurpleHeartandDisabled

VeteransEqualAccessActof2018,andareeligibletoapplyforaMILITARYSTARcard.

Q Will newly eligible veterans and caregivers be able to use AmericanForcesTravel.com?

A: Yes.AmericanForcesTravel.comisamorale,welfareandrecreationretailprogram,soveteransandcaregiverswho

areeligibleforMWRretailprivilegesunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018,are

eligibletousethisexclusivetravel-bookingwebsite.

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

PATRON AWARENESS

Q: Will there be a user fee charged to these newly eligible veterans and caregivers at commissaries, exchanges

and morale, welfare and recreation activities?

A: NoadditionaluserfeesorsurchargeswillbeaddedtomilitaryexchangeorMWRpurchasesfornewpatronseligible

solelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018.

TheDefensecommissarysystemiscongressionallymandatedtochargeallcurrentandnewpatronsafivepercent

surchargeonallpurchasestopayforcommissaryconstruction,equipmentandmaintenance.Evenwiththesurcharge,

patronsreceiveanaverageworldwidesavingsof23.7percentovercommercialgrocerystores.

Inadditiontothefivepercentsurcharge,andinaccordancewiththePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccess

Actof2018,veteransandcaregiverswhoareeligibleforcommissaryprivilegessolelyunderthisAct(PurpleHeart

recipients,formerprisonersofwar,veteranswithDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-connected

disabilityratingsof0-90percentandindividualsapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiversofeligible

veteransundertheVAProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers)andwhousecommercialcredit

anddebitcardstomakecommissarypurchases,willbechargedasmalluserfeetooffsetanyincreasedexpenses

incurredbytheDepartmentoftheTreasuryassociatedwiththeuseofcreditordebitcards.Patronsmaking

commissarypurchaseswithacommercialcreditcardorSignaturedebitcard,whichisacceptedandprocessedas

credit,willbechargedanadditional1.9percentuserfee,whilepurchaseswithapersonalidentificationnumber(PIN)

debitcardwillbechargeda0.5percentuserfee.Theratesforthesefeesmaybeadjustedannually.Theuserfeewill

notberefundedforproductreturns.Patronswhouseelectronicbenefittransfercards(e.g.,SupplementalNutrition

AssistanceProgram)ortheMILITARYSTARcardinthecommissarywillnotbechargedauserfee.

Q: When does the shopping benefit start?

A: Jan.1,2020.

Phaseoneincludesaccesstocommissaries,militaryexchangesandmorale,welfareandrecreationretailactivities

(in-personandonline)for:

• VeteranseligiblesolelyunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018(PurpleHeart

recipients,formerprisonersofwar,andveteranswithaDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-

connecteddisabilityratingof0-90percent)whopossessandpresentaVeteranHealthIdentificationCard

• IndividualsapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiverofaneligibleveteranundertheVA

ProgramofComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregiverswhopossessandpresentaletterfromtheVA

OfficeofCommunityCarethatindicateseligibilityfortheseprivileges,pairedwithanacceptablecredential

(e.g.,REALID-compliantdriver’slicenseorU.S.passport)

Futurephasesofrolloutwilladdressacceptablecredentialsforeligibleveteransandcaregiversandconsideration

andcriteriaforothereligiblecaregivers.

Q: Are any items off limits to new users?

A: Otherthanmilitaryuniformitemsatmilitaryserviceexchanges,childdevelopmentprograms,andmorale,welfareand

recreationactivitiesthatprimarilyrelyonappropriationstooperate,therearenorestrictionsoncommissary,exchange

orMWRprivilegesfornewpatronsauthorizedaccessunderthePurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessAct

of2018.Veteransandcaregiverswhoareeligibleforcommissary,exchangeandMWRretailprivilegesunderthisactwill

beallowedaccesstothesameproducts,servicesandactivitiesthatactivedutyservicemembersandmilitaryretirees

mayaccessintheUnitedStatesandintheU.S.territoriesandpossessions.Inforeigncountriesoverseas,restrictions

mayapplybasedonstatusofforcesagreements,locallaws,orotheragreementswiththehostcountry.

Q: Will the exchange charge a surcharge for shopping?

A: Nosurchargesoruserfeeswillbeaddedtomilitaryexchangepurchases.

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Implementation of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran Equal Access Act of 2018 – FAQs

Q: Why does the commissary charge a surcharge for shopping?

A: TheDefensecommissarysystemisstatutorilyrequiredtochargeafivepercentsurchargeonallpurchasestopay

forcommissaryconstruction,equipmentandmaintenance.Evenwiththesurcharge,patronsreceiveanaverage

worldwidesavingsof23.7percentovercommercialgrocerystoreshopping.

Inadditiontothefivepercentsurcharge,theDefensecommissarysystemhasbeenstatutorilyrequiredtocharge

anadditionaluserfeetoveteransandcaregiverswhoareeligibleforcommissaryprivilegessolelyunderthe

PurpleHeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018(PurpleHeartrecipients,formerprisonersofwar,

veteranswithDepartmentofVeteransAffairs-documentedservice-connecteddisabilityratingsof0-90percent,and

individualsapprovedanddesignatedastheprimaryfamilycaregiversofeligibleveteransundertheVAProgramof

ComprehensiveAssistanceforFamilyCaregivers)tooffsettheincreasedexpensetotheDepartmentoftheTreasury

forprocessingcommercialcreditanddebitcardsusedatcommissarystoresasaresultofthisact.

Q: Is there a fee associated with using the MILITARY STAR card?

A: No.TherewillnotbeapointofsalefeeassessedwhencustomersusetheMILITARYSTARcardtopayfortheir

purchases.Aswithanycreditcard,however,interestchargeswillapplywheneverabalanceiscarriedoveronthe

cardmonth-to-month.

MISCELLANEOUS

Q: Will opening military installations up to these new users compromise the safety and security of our

installations?

A: TheDepartmentofDefensehasprocessesandproceduresinplacetovetallvisitorstoDepartmentofDefense

installationsincludingregularworkforcepersonnel,residentsandothervisitors.TheindividualsincludedinthePurple

HeartandDisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018willhavetocomplywiththesameinstallationaccessprocesses

andproceduresasanyvisitortoaDoDinstallation.

Q: How could obtaining a Veteran Health Identification Card impact me?

A: Ifyoureceivefinancialassistanceforahealthplanpurchasedinthehealthinsurancemarketplaceestablishedby

theAffordableCareAct(includingpremiumassistancetaxcredits),enrollmentintheDepartmentofVeteransAffairs

healthcaresystemcouldimpactthefinancialassistanceyoureceive.TheVHICisasecureidentificationcardissued

toandusedbyveteransenrolledinVAhealthcaretocheckintoappointmentsatVAmedicalcenters.Thissecure

identificationcardkeepsyourpersonalinformationsafewhilegivingVAtheinformationneededtoeasilyaccessyour

VAhealthrecord.ToobtainaVHIC,veteransfirstneedtoenrollinVAhealthcare.Ifyou’renotalreadyenrolled,findout

howtoapplyforVAhealthcareathttps://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/.

EFFECT ON OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS

Q: What impacts will this initiative have on the Veterans Canteen Service or the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A: VeteransCanteenServiceuserswhoalsoqualifyforthisDepartmentofDefenseprivilegesunderthePurpleHeartand

DisabledVeteransEqualAccessActof2018willhaveadditionalchoicesfortheirshoppingneeds.Thefinancialimpact

totheVeteransCanteenServiceshouldbeminimal,ifany.

TheVAmayseeanincreaseinthenumberofveteransrequestingconsiderationforservice-connecteddisabilityratings

andapplyingforVAhealthcarebenefitsinordertoobtainaVeteranHealthIdentificationCard.