I am a disabled vet overseas. I'm in FMP not VHA. So how do I get a VHIC?

2019-12-04T20:46:21-05:00

https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/68479/veterans-need-vhic-for-in-person-commissary-military-exchange-and-mwr-access/

I tried phoning the VA helpline and their answer was: "Go to your local VA hospital." I live in the UK. The nearest VA hospital is 3,000 miles away. Surely this is NOT the best the VA can do?!

veterans-need-vhic-for-in-person-commissary-military-exchange-and-mwr-access

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Dec 4 at 2019 9:04 PM

2019-12-04T21:04:27-05:00

Taking time-out to watch SEAL and SWAT and will provide assistance later. Message here on RP with your particulars and I will assist with firms, etc...
Nancy

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 4 at 2019 9:17 PM

2019-12-04T21:17:14-05:00

You cannot get that card until you go stateside and it will not be valid outside the USA.

Response by SSG Dale London made Dec 4 at 2019 9:40 PM

2019-12-04T21:40:27-05:00

I just got off the phone to the White House VA Hotline. I am having difficulty processing the knowledge that I may be the first person to have raised this issue. It seems assinine but completely in character for both the VA and the DoD to receive a statutory instruction from both Congress and the President and only half-implement it. Not all diabled vets, MOH and PH recipients live in the United States. I can still vote but because I don't have a particular piece of plastic, I can't go to Garmisch or shop in the exchange?
(insert expletive here)!!!
All they need to do is put the vet's access status on the Veteran ID Card they just invented and tell the DoD to accept it. They have the data!
Nothing fires me up as much as administrative assininity (yes, that is a word).

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 1:01 AM

2019-12-05T01:01:51-05:00

Your experience here is an interesting story on certain failures of our burecracy. I'm sorry it's not working out for you, seems simple enough to hear you explain it.

I suppose reaching out to US veteran NPO's couldn't hurt? Try and find an organization that could amplify your voice and hopefully get the issue resolved?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2020 4:53 AM

2020-02-29T04:53:27-05:00

I'm not sure about obtaining the card outside the US, but apparently, once you have it then you can access certain US base PX's, etc. but it will depend on the country and their determination under their version of the SOFA agreement. (My understanding is the concern is host country taxation for their residents i.e. the disabled vet)