We created this announcement page to keep our Veterans informed on new programs and benefits that are either approved, or in the works through the Veterans Administration. We added the link below from va.gov so you can save this to your favorites. This is the VA press release page and shows what is new in the VA world.

Do you have questions about benefits, where to find a VA facility, or check on eligibility? This link offers customer service help for veterans and refers them to other pages within the va.gov website that will help you find answers.

And here's a commercial that you may enjoy: a Food City Salute to those who serve.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

We get many questions from Veterans about a Veteran ID card. The Texas Legislature has addressed this issue and has approved a Veterans Designation on the Texas Drivers License. Read on.....

Information from the Department of Public Safety Regarding the Veteran Driver License

The Department of Public Safety shall include the designation “VETERAN” on the face of any class or type of Texas driver license issued to a veteran in compliance with Section 521.1235 of the Texas Transportation Code. In this section, “veteran” means a person who has:

• Served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps of the United States;
• Served in the Texas National Guard as defined by Section 431.001, Government Code, which includes veterans who served in the Texas Army and Air National Guard but does not include individuals who have served in the Texas State Guard only; and
• Been honorably discharged from the branch of service in which the person served.

Veterans who are not United States citizens but served and received an honorable discharge from one of the services listed above are eligible to receive the “VETERAN” designation on their Texas driver license upon request.

Note: The “Veteran” designation is not available on a Texas identification card at this time.

Establishing proof of Veteran’s military service
Every person who has previously served in the military will have a discharge status. There are five basic types of military discharges:

• Honorable;
• General (under honorable conditions);
• Other than honorable;
• Bad conduct and;
• Dishonorable.

To be eligible for the veteran designation to be placed on their driver license, the veteran must present a DD-214 or DD-215 (corrected copy of DD-214), signifying they received an honorable discharge or general (under honorable conditions) from the branch of service in which the person served.

Process to add Veteran designation on driver license

• The veteran will visit a driver license office and initiate the request to have the veteran designation placed on their driver license.
• Upon the initial request, the veteran will provide military documents (DD-214, DD-215) signifying they received an honorable discharge. Once the veteran status has been recorded in DLS, military documents will not be required to maintain the veteran designation on subsequent transactions.
• A duplicate transaction fee will be applied to obtain a duplicate driver license reflecting an added or removed veteran designation (See caveat below for disabled veterans). However, the veteran will not be charged an additional fee to add/remove the veteran designation while applying for:
• An original driver license;
• A renewal;
• Modification or upgrade of the class of their driver license;
• Change of address; or
• Replacement of a lost or stolen license.

Out of State/Country Veterans
Veterans who are out of the state may request the veteran designation by mail for a driver license only by providing the following:

• A complete out of state/country application (RIS-50);
• A copy of DD-214 or DD-215;
• Proof of Social Security number;
• DL-43 (TX driver license or ID card renewal – duplicate application);
• DL-63 (Explanation of Eye Specialist) if renewing a driver license; and
• Required fee.

Mail all required documents along with the payment. We will accept check, money order or cashier’s check payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety:

Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 15999
Austin, TX 78761-5999

Information regarding disabled veterans
Disabled veterans who provide proof of a service-related disability of at least 60% will not be charged a fee for any driver license or identification card transaction.

______________________________________________________________________________________