VA Benits and who can get them?

[EddieWalker]

I was talking to a guy who said he uses his VA card to get ten percent off of what he buys and Lowes and Home Depot. He asked if I did the same thing, and I told him I wasn't eligible for VA benefits since I was only in for five years. He said he was only in for 4 years and he gets them. I just looked online and read that the only requirement is that you have to have served 24 months and not have a dishonorable discharge. Is this right?

My goal is to get the ten percent discount. I don't need or want the medical part of it, but then I don't know what's there either. So maybe that's a bonus. I have a great medical, dental plan through the hospital my wife works at already.

I was in the Marine Corps from 83 to 88. My MOS was maintenance management and I spent my last 32 months assigned to the Marine Security Guard Detachment guarding two different US Embassies overseas. No combat, no injuries or any problems at all related to my service. Honorable discharge, and off to civilian life when I was done.

Your thoughts?

Eddie

 

[smstonypoint]

Eddie,

I think the discount applies year-round only to active duty personnel, and retired and disabled veterans.

I am like you -- I served for four years (65-69) and qualify for the discount only on Memorial Day, July 4, and Veterans' Day. Sometimes a cashier asks for proof of service, but most don't when I ask for the discount on those holidays. I have a VA card that was issued to me when I was going to college under the GI Bill and I use that as my proof of service. You could use a copy of your DD-214 for proof.

Steve

 

[riptides]

Most stores I frequent offer Military Discounts, retired or active, seems few actually check service length. If you have a CAC card, Uniformed Services Card or the variants thereof, they seem to want you to flash and they will accept it. Even AARP cards work, sometimes.

 

[Gunny]

I was under the impression that they started giving the discount to any veteran a couple of years ago, you just needed to show proof of service.

Eddie, just copy your DD214 and try it the next time you go to Lowes, all they can say is no and even then you still haven't lost anything, but if they say yes, then you've just saved 10%.

Home Depot also offers the same discount for service.

BTW - Thanks for your service!

 

[aczlan]

From the horses mouth:

Military Discount
Lowe's established the 10% Military Discount to support the men and women who are currently serving our country in the Armed Services and to honor Retired Veterans and VA Recipients. This 10% discount is also extended to the immediate family of those who are currently serving, Retired Veterans, or VA Recipients.
To qualify for the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must:
Be currently serving in, or retired from, a qualifying branch of the Armed Services, or be the immediate family member of someone who is and have a valid military ID Card.
Or:
Be a veteran who receives VA benefits and have a valid Veteran Identification Card (VIC).
We honor all Veterans on three specific holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day. During these three holiday weekends, we extend the discount to all veterans who served honorably and who present a valid Form DD214 or other proof of service. The Lowe’s Military Discount is extended to the Veteran community on these three holidays only.
The Military Discount must be used on personal purchases only and cannot be used for Lowes.com purchases, previous sales, or the purchase of gift cards or services including product installations. It cannot be combined with the Lowe’s Price Guarantee, or promotions such as "Spend and Get," "New Mover," "Project Starter," "Your Choice," or discounts such as Quote Support Program (QSP) quotes.
1 Armed Services — US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, or the National Guard and who are in active, reserve, or retired status.
2 Retired Veterans and VA Recipients — Veterans who have retired after 20 years of service and/or those who receive VA Benefits
3 Immediate Family — Spouses and/or dependent children (up to 18 years old.)

Aaron Z

 

[RandyT]

I served 4 years, and have been using the VA medical benefits since 2007 even though I got out in 1990. I believe the VA has a income level requirement, meaning if you make over a certain amount then you can't get benefits, if you don't have service connected disability.

For me I have a low income so the VA is my Obamacare insurance, as well as my part D when I retire. Last year they paid for an emergency room call after having what was best described as a heart attack, but according to lab and other test wasn't. Still wiped me for like 4 months afterwards, like lose of energy after walking 200 ft. Still have periods were it is like somebody pulled the plug on the bathtub even after 8 months.

 

[riptides]

Most stores I frequent offer Military Discounts, retired or active, seems few actually check service length. If you have a CAC card, Uniformed Services Card or the variants thereof, they seem to want you to flash and they will accept it. Even AARP cards work, sometimes.

I just checked and Texas offers the Veterans designation on their issued drivers licenses.

"Texas Available DPS offers a VETERAN designation printed on the face of driver licenses for qualifying veterans. Veterans must visit a driver license office and present their DD-214, DD-215, NGB-22, or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability letter. Veteran Designation for Driver Licenses"

 

[HEC]

I served during the early Vietnam error ( 1961 to 1964 ) and couldn't get any benefits . My buddy who served just after me and never went to nam , no medical issues during the his service time gets all the benefits . The dates had to be just right so they told me , what a bunch of crap that was . I had no medical issues just wanted to get my yearly physical covered . I called my congressman which was a waste of time .

 

[jeff9366]

The rules as to VA eligibility are not cut in stone tablets. They are set by politics and budget considerations and vary over time.

You should check with VA today.

Intercession by your Congressman's staff can get you instant attention if you feel ignored by VA admin. Most Congressmen have a staff person who specializes in VA and veteran's affairs.

 

[Looking4new]

For all you guys that served....Thank you for your service.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks.

After I was discharged from the Navy in 1968, just before Tet, I was treated like a **** by my fellow students and the administration while attending GWU in Washington, D.C. This formed me as a lifelong Conservative.

I thought my Navy time was valuable while I was in; valuable during college and valuable today.

 

[HEC]

Jeff you are so right my friend , most people nowadays have no idea the price that has been paid for the freedom they enjoy and unfortunately that price is still being paid . I'd better cut it short before I really get going .

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you, there is a form to fill out on their website. I'm going to see what happens.

Eddie

 

[kf4uda]

For all you guys that served....Thank you for your service.

I would like to thank each one of you for serving our country as well. Eddie, I hope that you and any others that have served get that discount. Good job to Lowes and Home Depot for offering it.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad

 

[orezok]

My wife served 26 years in the Navy so I have a "dependents" card. My HD will give me 10% but not on commodities such as construction materials (lumber, plywood, masonry, cement or anything else used for construction). I do get discount on all household items, paint, garden etc.

I think they figured out that contractors were using the discount for purposed other than their own household.

This may be a local issue as the HD is only 20 miles from Twentynine Palm Marine Corps base and there are a lot of military in the area.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you go to your local VA facility with your DD214, you can get a VA identification card and sign up for VA benefits. The card is all you need for the Lowes 10% and I use mine all the time.
As for benefits though, regardless of how long you served, unless your were/are disabled, benefits are pretty much out if you make more than $35K (IIRC) per year total income for your household. My brother in law was discharged with disability (shot down in helicopter and missing about 2" of his femur) and he gets full benefits regardless of income. Even on just SS for wife and myself, I would be classed F not be eligible for any benefits as far as medical. I did get registered though so if my future qualifications change, I am already in the system and registered.

 

[George2615]

My local Advance Auto Parts gives a military discount. Not sure about other auto parts stores but I imagine they do to.

 

[Patrickdozer]

I am not sure how the discounts go. As far as benefits go I would Urge every Vet whether serving peace time or combat to contact your rep. Every state as well as Larger cities have A veterans administrator who would cover your area and will inform you of any benefits you may be entitled to. Your rep will help you through the process. Many veterans face medical issues later on in life and do not realize that they may qualify for benefits because of a service related condition. This may become very beneficial to people on fixed incomes faced with huge non-covered medical expenses. We've earned it!!!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I live in a heavy military area so discounts are pretty common, but you have to ask for it. Being retired Navy, 33 years, and combat vet, I am not backward asking. I always thank them for the considering us and get many nice comments back. I used to have a list of National businesses offering the discount but cannot find it now. Goggle "Military Discount" and you will be amazed at what pops up.

Same thing with senior discounts, I always ask. Places that give the discounts are always at the top of my list to solicit.

NAPA is my favorite, they give me the best of all their discounts as the Military one. They even check them all out on the computer. Some fleet and dealer discounts approach 50%, 35% is real common. Guess where I buy all my auto and common tractor and small engine parts?

Ron

 

[Deere Dude]

I was talking to a guy who said he uses his VA card to get ten percent off of what he buys and Lowes and Home Depot. He asked if I did the same thing, and I told him I wasn't eligible for VA benefits since I was only in for five years. He said he was only in for 4 years and he gets them. I just looked online and read that the only requirement is that you have to have served 24 months and not have a dishonorable discharge. Is this right?

My goal is to get the ten percent discount. I don't need or want the medical part of it, but then I don't know what's there either. So maybe that's a bonus. I have a great medical, dental plan through the hospital my wife works at already.

I was in the Marine Corps from 83 to 88. My MOS was maintenance management and I spent my last 32 months assigned to the Marine Security Guard Detachment guarding two different US Embassies overseas. No combat, no injuries or any problems at all related to my service. Honorable discharge, and off to civilian life when I was done.

Your thoughts?

Eddie

I just went through getting mine. I was in the military from 69-72. I started hearing about discounts last year so I would take my dd214 to Lowes and get a discount. They nixed that after awhile because some were able to scam the system somehow. I had to go to the VA administration which is in Nashville in my area. I had an interview with a man and he asked my income qualifications and how much money I have in the bank and what my net worth is in stocks and bonds so they could put me in a specific benefit category. This has all to do with health benefits, and the more you make and are worth, the higher deductible would be accessed for any medical situation later on. I already have insurance so that wouldn't affect me, but I still could use VA insurance if I wanted/

Then they would take that information and send it to Atlanta to get it researched and verified and approved.

Then 6 weeks later you will get a stack of papers that explains all your benefits.

The you take all that stuff back to the same place in the VA administration building where they will now take your picture and give you an official card.

Then that card you take along to get discounts at quite a few places.

I got mine in March last year and I must have saved a thousand on a building I just put up. It is a good deal but it takes a little leg work and 2 months of time.