A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) is a photo ID card you’ll use to check in at your VA health care appointments. You will need to be enrolled in VA health care. After you receive your VA health care welcome call, you can apply for a VHIC in person at a VA medical center or online which is the focus of this article.
For all those seasoned VA health care users that already have a VHIC, please be aware there is an expiration date on your card. This office has received several calls indicating receipt of a VA postcard stating “The Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) issued to you has expired or will expire soon. To renew your VHIC you may visit your local VAMC in person or use the online self-service portal by scanning the QR code or visiting eauth.va.gov/accessva.”
To clear up any confusion, your County Veterans Service Officer cannot issue or renew your VHIC. You must do this in person or online.
In person… Contact your nearest VA medical center (most reading this article should call the Minneapolis VAMC at 866-414-5058 press 0 to speak with an operator). Ask to speak with the enrollment coordinator. Ask the coordinator to help you arrange to get your picture taken for your new Veteran Health Identification Card at your preferred VA facility. You can also ask for help with getting your picture taken at your next VA health care appointment.
Bring a current, unexpired ID to your photo appointment. You can bring any of these ID types: state-issued driver’s license, or U.S. passport, or federal, state, or local government-issued photo ID showing your name, address, and date of birth. Note: If your ID doesn’t show your address, you’ll need to bring a separate document to confirm your address. This could be your electric bill, cable bill, voter registration card, or another mailed document.
Online… https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/?cspSelectFor=vhic-ss
Have a photo and current ID ready. When you apply for a VHIC online, you’ll need to upload a digital color photo of yourself and a copy of your current photo ID. Upload a copy of the previously listed types of current, unexpired IDs. Also upload a digital color photo of yourself that follows the rules listed online.
For any further questions, please contact your local facility during regular business hours, or call the VA at 877-222-VETS (8387) between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
