VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) have taken action to minimize the number of non-essential required visits to identification (ID) card offices during the coronavirus public health emergency. If you have a VA or DoD ID card that has expired or is getting ready to expire, here are your options.

VA-issued Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC):
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, Veterans enrolled in VA health care who are seeking a brand new VHIC (initial) should contact their local VA medical facility for guidance on going to facility to request a card. Once issued, cards are valid for 10 years.
  • Most Veterans will be able obtain a replacement VHIC (not initial VHIC) by contacting their local VA medical facility and making their request by phone, or they can call 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.  Once their identity has been verified, a replacement card will be mailed to them.
DoD-issued ID Cards:

Detailed information concerning DoD ID Card operations during the coronavirus pandemic can be found at the DoD Response to COVID-19 – DoD ID Cards and Benefits webpage (https://www.CAC.mil/coronavirus).

For all information regarding DoD-issued ID cards, please contact the Defense Manpower Data Center Identity and ID Card Policy Team at dhracacpolicy@mail.mil. Limited information follows:

Common Access Cards (CAC) (including military and civilian personnel):
  • DoD civilian cardholders who are transferring jobs within DoD are authorized to retain their active CAC.
  • Cardholders whose DoD-issued CAC is within 30 days of expiration may update their certificates online to extend the life of the CAC through Sept. 30, 2020, without having to visit a DoD ID card office in person for reissue. Directions for this procedure may be found at https://www.CAC.mil/coronavirus under News and Updates / User Guide – Updating CAC/VoLAC Certificates.
  • Cardholders whose DoD-issued CAC has expired will have to visit a DoD ID card office in person for reissuance. Visit http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl to find a DoD ID card office near you and schedule an appointment at https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil.
DoD-issued Uniformed Services ID Cards (USID) (including Reservist, military retiree, 100% disabled Veteran, and authorized dependent ID cards):
  • Expiration dates on USID cards will be automatically extended to Sept. 30, 2020, within DEERS for cardholders whose affiliation with DoD has not changed but whose USID card has expired after Jan. 1, 2020.
  • Sponsors of USID card holders may make family member enrollment and eligibility updates remotely.
  • Initial issuance for first-time USID card-eligible individuals may be done remotely with an expiration date of one year from date of issue. The minimum age for first-time issuance for eligible family members has been temporarily increased from 10 to 14 years of age.

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30 Comments

  1. Julie Francine Smoot May 2, 2020 at 13:24

    I called VA customer service and was told that I needed to come to VA Medical Center in Durham. My mother is in Hospice and with Covid 19 going on I have been staying home as I do not want to risk being exposed. I do not want to bring coviid 19 back to her. There really is no way to have a I’d issued to me when I have taken a recent picture and uploaded on your system? I will not risk killing my mother for a Veteran Identification card and I should not be put in this position by you.

    • Julie Francine Smoot May 2, 2020 at 14:00

      I am a Navy Veteran and service connected at 100 percent

      • JW May 4, 2020 at 12:45

        Julie, if you are a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating, you should be eligible for a DoD-issued uniformed services ID card. I recommend checking with DoD through the links provided in the article.

  2. Todd Frye April 30, 2020 at 09:05

    I just dialed the 877 222 VETS number; the guy said the system would not let him issue me a replacement VHIC. He said the system is rejecting me and to try back, as I am not “PRFFED”? This is typical of EVERYTIME I encounter VA Customer Service. I will never step foot in the hellhole that is Rodebush VA in Indianapolis, so I guess I am stuck with a VHIC that is broken in half.

  3. Glen Edward Norman April 29, 2020 at 18:18

    I am a Vietnam veteran who’s spouse currently serves as my caregiver and was wanting to know when we will be able to quality for the caregivers program.

  4. Bonnie Gawrys April 28, 2020 at 05:42

    Good morning I recently started receiving DIC my husband died of a service related disease/injury could you please tell me how I would get an ID card I live in southern n New Hampshire

    • JW April 28, 2020 at 10:18

      Bonnie, I am sorry for your loss. If your husband was not a uniformed services retiree or a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating from VA, you are not eligible for a DoD-issued ID card.

  5. Ronald c locke April 25, 2020 at 00:04

    Great information. Thanks so much!

  6. Jonh April 24, 2020 at 17:35

    How about if I am trying to do my initial VHIC but my local va clinic is not accepting appointments to do so.

  7. Charlotte E Newton April 23, 2020 at 10:53

    Are you saying that the Dependent Card that I have can be sufficient until September, 2020. I am the wife of a Disabled Veteran who passed away in January before he could get into our home having returned from a good report on labs and release of his Neurologist. So I’m thinking that I should have an updated Military Dependent ID. The one that I have is expired as well. Please confirm tome at my email address. Thank you

    • JW April 23, 2020 at 13:54

      Charlotte, I don’t have your email address (it doesn’t post to the blog for your protection) and I don’t actually work in the DoD ID card office. Your best bet is to send an email to the Defense Manpower Data Center Identity and ID Card Policy team at dhracacpolicy@mail.mil to explain your situation and have them give you the correct informaiton and guidance.

  8. Kevin Alspaugh April 23, 2020 at 03:20

    What good is it if you have a VA facility in the Philippines and veterans are denied healthcare even when they are stricken with Diabetes and Heart disease

    • Jason Davis April 23, 2020 at 13:38

      “It is VHA policy that U.S. Veterans may receive care and services for a Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) adjudicated service-connected disability at the Manila VA Clinic. A service connected Veteran may be treated for non-service connected disabilities within the limits of the outpatient clinic, as stated in 38 U.S.C. § 1724(e). Follow up services required for non-service connected conditions that are beyond the capabilities of the clinic, as determined by the Director of the Manila VA Clinic, will be the Veteran’s responsibility, including obtaining services and paying all related cost.”

      • Phillip Panknin April 24, 2020 at 17:48

        Have you reached out to the U.S. Embassy? They may have options for you. If not reach out to the Department of Veteran Affairs in Washington D.C.

  9. Robert Gaspar April 23, 2020 at 00:34

    getting and Military retirees is so hard and you have to go so many route to get and application for ID card, my Military ID card was expired long time ago 5 years ago, i try to get and appointment to the US JUSMAG WHICH THE ARE THE ONE WHO ISSUE THE CARD. I try to get and appointment and when there schedule for 30days and when is full then hello wait till nest month, but for the time being my ID card expired and when I want to do something to fixed in my record,deer, and many other and i can not do it because my id card is expired. I anm trying to fixed my deer records and my id card expired , and i can not logged it to deer website? I highly suggested to continue the appointment bases but open for walk in also’ bottom line is about getting ID card is need to solve in fixed it by additional worker to do the job. FOR YOUR INFORMATION I DON’T COMPLAIN IAM SAYING WHAT IS NEED TO BE DONE TO HELP THE PEOPLE THAT NEED ONE,

    • JW April 23, 2020 at 10:35

      Robert, if you don’t see the answer to your question or guidance on your specific situation at https://www.cac.mil/coronavirus, please contact the Defense Manpower Data Center Identity and ID Card Policy team at dhracacpolicy@mail.mil

  10. Charles Berry April 22, 2020 at 23:20

    Thanks for the information. I’m a 100% Disabled Veteran and my VA health card does not it listed or I do not have the right card.
    James C Berry

    [Editor: Please, NEVER post PII on the internet!]

    • JW April 23, 2020 at 08:13

      Charles, if your 100% disabled rating is due to a service-connected condition, then you would qualify for both the VA-issued VHIC (this is your VA health care ID card) and for the DoD-issued USID card.

  11. Tracey Paddock April 22, 2020 at 23:02

    “ Initial issuance for first-time USID card-eligible individuals may be done remotely with an expiration date of one year from date of issue.“

    But HOW?! Man, I picked a heck of a time to retire…

  12. Harvey D Snyder April 22, 2020 at 21:01

    I recently received notification from the VA granting me recognition of my disability. This would mean changing the wording on my ID card that would now allow entry into military facilities . Do I need to appear in person for a new ID, or can I ask for one simply by applying on an appropriate web site. If on a web site, could you please clearly indicate which one.

    Thank you

    • Jason Davis April 23, 2020 at 13:37

      “Most Veterans will be able obtain a replacement VHIC (not initial VHIC) by contacting their local VA medical facility, and making their request by phone. Or they can call 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Once their identity has been verified, a replacement card will be mailed to them.”

  13. Amanda Wolf April 22, 2020 at 20:41

    Very helpful insight!

  14. Margaret Rayfield April 22, 2020 at 20:13

    What about a dependent. How do we renew our cards

    • JW April 23, 2020 at 08:03

      Margaret, dependent family members have the DoD-issued USID card and should follow the guidance above. DoD is extending the expiration dates through September 30, 2020, for USID cards that expired after January 1, 2020. The sponsor may make enrollment and eligibility updates for dependents through the DoD website listed in the article.

  15. Veni F Toia April 22, 2020 at 17:39

    How about my wife don’t have VA card, I can’t sponsor her to enter the military post she has to get a pass, I can’t take her to commissary and PX to join me for a shopping. This is a big mess.

    Veni F Toia

    • JW April 23, 2020 at 07:59

      Veni, it sounds like you qualify for DoD shopping as a veteran with a service-connected disability, Purple Heart recipient, or former POW. Only the eligible veterans under the law that went into effect on January 1, 2020, are authorized shopping access with your Veteran Health Identification Card that displays your eligibility criteria. Your family members are not authorized to shop or to access DoD facilities without you. And, when they accompany you, they must register through the installation’s visitor control system.

  16. Charlotte E Newton April 22, 2020 at 17:07

    So I was advised that I need to get a new Dependent card since my Disabled Vet spouse passed away in January. Is it possible to do this on line? You may reply by email.

    • JW April 23, 2020 at 10:31

      Charlotte, if you don’t see the answer to your question or guidance on your specific situaton at https://www.cac.mil/coronavirus, please contact the Defense Manpower Data Center Identity and ID Card Policy team at dhracacpolicy@mail.mil

      • Leasa Anderson April 24, 2020 at 23:45

        Charlotte,
        I call on Thursday to ask this very question. I was told by Tinker Air Force staff manning their card issue place [sorry I can’t think of what it’s call]
        She told me that yes I will need to get a new dependent ID card, but as long as your card isn’t expired they will not make an appointment for me to come in for a new one. This is due to Covid-19. She also stated most anyone checking our ID cards aren’t going to know that our husbands passed away.
        Hope this helps.
        Leasa

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