Veteran ID cards: All you need to know from application process to benefits and more
Thousands of Armed Forces veterans can apply for an ID card either online by visiting the GOV.UK website at gov.uk/veteran-card or by making a paper-based application.
The cards offer much more than a memento of service, as the Government recently announced veteran ID cards could be used as a form of voter identification in forthcoming elections.
Veterans Minister Al Carns said the move meant veterans who had protected democracy during their service could now practise it with the card.
Veteran ID cards are also now being recognised as valid photographic identification on domestic flights by British Airways – the first airline to do so.
Until the veteran ID card was created, there was no way for former personnel to easily prove they had served in the Armed Forces.
Previously, they had been required to hand back their ID card, known as a MOD 90, when they were discharged.
What is the veteran ID card?
The new veteran ID card provides a memento of service and maintains a tangible link to the Armed Forces, while also allowing veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority and charities, enabling them to access support and services where needed.
Army veteran David Cussell said of the new card: "It gives us an identity. We should be able to use it to get on camps when we go for reunions and save money.
"It shows we are part of a big family. No matter what service you were in, we're all veterans together."
How has it been phased in?
Delivery of the new UK veteran ID card has been rolled out in two phases:
Phase 1: The veteran ID card had already been provided to all service leavers as part of the discharge process with effect from 18 February 2019, and retrospectively to those who left on or after 17 December 2018.
Phase 2: The scheme has been extended to the wider veteran community.
The Government's rollout of the ID cards has faced criticism.
In November 2022, Labour said it could take 125 years for all those entitled to the cards to receive one based on the then-current speed of the rollout.
However, the Government played down these claims and reassured veterans that the rollout was "accelerating".
What is the application process and what are the other benefits?
Veterans can apply for their cards by visiting the GOV.UK website at gov.uk/veteran-card
A paper-based application process is also available for veterans who are unable to use the online service.
Those who left the Armed Forces prior to December 2018 can verify their veteran status online and receive a veteran ID card in the post.
The new digital verification service includes:
- online applications via GOV.UK
- identity checks using GOV.UK's new One Login service
- automated service checking to confirm veteran status for most applications using MOD service records databases
- increasing MOD’s secure card-printing capacity to deal with the expected applications using a new high-capacity card printing machine
Veterans will be able to use their ID card to apply for a Defence Discount Service card and Veterans Railcard.
While the veteran ID card will act as proof of service and veteran status, the Defence Discount Service card is recognised online and in high street shops to obtain Armed Forces discounts on a wide range of things such as holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance and phones.
It is free to sign up to the website and use the online discounts.
To get your card, you can apply for the Defence Discount Service Card here and also find the list of companies that accept the discount card.
Veteran ID cards are now being recognised as valid photographic identification on domestic flights by British Airways - the first airline to do so.
From 2019, personnel leaving the Armed Forces are also able to keep their MOD 90 in the hope that it will allow them to maintain their emotional connection with their service.
Corners of their MOD 90 are cut off to indicate the card is no longer valid – although this has raised some concerns about maintaining security at bases and other secure locations.
Anyone interested in advice or details regarding the veteran ID card should contact Veterans UK, which is a 24-hour service that directs ex-forces personnel to a range of support available to them.
Services include housing, financial advice and career guidance.
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