How To Obtain a VA Identification Card?

By: Dan Meyer

The office hours for the Big Stone County Veterans Service Office are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. My office phone number is (320) 839-6398.

Two frequently asked questions.

Question: At the beginning of your Friday morning “Friday’s Heroes” Veterans Radio Show, you honor a veteran’s military service. How do I get a veteran recognized for their service on the show?

Answer: Just visit or call my office and request that we spotlight the veteran. It’s just that easy.

Question: How do I get a Veterans Affairs (VA) Identification Card?

Answer: When you apply for enrollment in person at any VA, your picture will be taken for your Veterans Identification Card (VIC) at that time. If you apply via the mail or on-line, you will need to go to your local VA medical center and a staff person will take your picture. Once your eligibility for VA health care has been approved/verified, the card will automatically be mailed to you within 7-10 days. To ensure the VIC is received at the appropriate address, please be sure that they have your correct mailing address when you applied for your card. If the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver the card, it will be returned to the facility where the veteran requested the card.

It should be noted that the VIC does not contain any sensitive, identifying information such as your social security number or date of birth on the face of the card. The VIC now displays the following special eligibility indicators: Service Connected, Purple Heart, and/or Former POW.

VICs cannot be used as a credit or an insurance card, and it does not authorize or pay for care at non-VA facilities.

If you lose your card or do not receive your card in the mail, contact the VA where your picture was taken to request a new card be sent to you. You may also contact 877-222-VETS (8387) to check on the status of your card.

Until next week, take care and “Fair Winds and Following Seas!”