VA to begin issuing veterans cards next month

After two years of drafting regulations, the Veterans Identification Card is on track to be available nationwide next month.

Many who’ve served for our country know there are plenty of benefits and discounts available for them.

Active and retired military can get discounts looking for auto accessories, home improvement and even cellphone services.

On Tuesday Chic-fil-A was offering free meals for active and retired military but in most cases they need to show an ID but not everyone has one.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs confirmed they will issue an ID card for veterans.

“To me it’s just another card,” said veteran David Nevarez.

Nevarez tells ABC-7 there’s already plenty of IDs available.

“A veteran as it is can carry three to 4 IDs on him now,” Nevarez said.

Active military are issued an ID, a Texas ID can verify a veteran, if you receive health care from the VA you’re issued an ID and if you’re a disabled veteran you’re issued an ID.

“It’s a lot to keep track of,” Nevarez said.

And there’s one more.

“If you’re a veteran wanting a free bus ride you have to carry a Sun Metro Bus pass,” Nevarez said.

Nevarez, a Desert Storm veteran, tells ABC-7 he’s not against the veterans card but wants to know how it will impact the veteran community as a whole.

“Is it a viable type of ID? How is it going to be used? Can you open a bank account? Can you use it to purchase a car or a weapon?” Nevarez said.

Nevarez has been a staunch critic of the VA when it comes to health care in the past. He hopes the VA can manage this program adequately.

The VA initially said there would be a cost of about $11 dollars. Now there’s no details of a charge for the IDs.

“Who’s paying for it? How is it going to affect the taxpayer? Where’s the money going? Where did the money come from? How does it go from paid for — to not paid for?” Nevarez said.

Nevarez said for now he can see one benefit of the veteran card — to help homeless vets.

“It can help in tracking where they go. I can see that it would work for and goods and services,” Nevarez said.

Other veterans ABC-7 spoke with said they welcome the ID card, some like Nevarez say it’s just too many IDs.

The card also comes as military exchange stores prepare to open online shopping which will begin on Veterans Day, November 11, also the day the cards will be available.