Started fighting for service connected disability after 17 years separated from service. Bunch of cry babies crying over not having the same benefits as a disabled vet. We have been to Boston, Philadelphia, National Parks out west and Washington DC many times. Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single . So why did they stop. Part of my 80% rating is tinnitus. A very pleasant surprise, (I still put a few dollars into the donation locations at the Ranger Stations, pay if forward). WOW We can give free to everything that comes in this country we can give our vets a free pass for their families Most importantly, thanks to those who gave all, and their families who miss them every day. The Senior Pass includes all the same discounts as the access pass, which is free access to all sites that charge an entrance fee and 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees (camping, boat launching, etc). The application indicates that this is for the AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL You pay a one time fee. For those who are already in a disability status the VA should issue the pass to them now, not like they do not have the records. Give the pass to every honorably discharged veteran!!!! I was like ???? She, reluctantly handed me the pass and told me I must sign it. The parking fee was their excuse. . So if you are looking for travel tips, chances are theres a review on this blog, or feel free to contact me. Loss of or loss of use falls under a different tier of disability compensation called SPECIAL MONTHLY COMPENSATION and is a lesser known and harder to navigate tier of disability. I can appreciate all the vets that feel like second class citizens because they got out without injuries and are left out of this offer maybe you can start a petition so all vets that ever served can get free entry passes. I am a widow of a 100% disabled veteran too. Also, if you are in Washington State, they have a similar pass for veterans with a service connected disability of 30% or more. The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, USACE, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Access Pass at sites whereEntrance or Standard Amenity Fees(Day use fees) are charged. (redacted) I hope your note doesnt discourage other 10%ers from accepting this valuable offer from our government, Someone must have thought it was worth it or they never would have offered it.. And Im thankful youre honest and you should be proud that you are. You can apply for the pass online or by mail with a $10 processing fee or get it for free at a Federal recreation site that issues the passes. USGS Note:Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership. They refer you to other passes that are available. The Access Pass may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) that severely limits one or more major life activities. Very quick and easy in person. The passes provide entrance or access to more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites. Since I am not permanently disabled I cannot benefit from the program. Step 2: Exchange a printed voucher for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). YES I AM A RETIRED U.S.NAVY VETERAN MMCS I AM 70 % DISABLED RIGHT NOW. Be thankful you have a free pass, its not something that everyone can get. Just went to MR last weekmilitary did not have to pay for parking. Download the Distinguished Veteran Pass Application. I will attempt to obtain the pass by mail but the article should be more clear on just what pass it is that a disabled vet can obtain. A lock It states this clearly on the VA Benefits Summary. Personally, I have a 100% rating but appreciate that this is for 10% and up. Is that permanent 100% or a permanent disability of 10% and higher, I am a legally blind veteran, is it possible to receive the application in the mail? Well, they are. Lock I went to Channel Islands National Park in Ventura, CA and they do not issue the free pass. Francis J. Fitzpatrick. 1966 1970 Vietnam Era 100%. Thanks, Does the pass only include the disabled veteran or is there a spouse encluded? thanks Is there a way to sign up online to get the pass? Great idea but would make it way to easy!! Passes ordered online or through the mail will be delivered 3 to 4 weeks after receipt of documentation and processing payment. The Access Pass admits thepass ownerand passengers in anon-commercial vehicleat per-vehicle fee areas andpass owner+ 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. $80.00. Ive had mine for over 20 years, so this is NOT a new program. Canada has a national parks system too. Another example of where you have to be disabled to account for anything. You have good days and you have bad days. Just dont go Tuesdays. There are a number of passes available, many of them discounted or free for certain groups. For instance, you may have injured your back while in the military. National Parks passes are sold at most national parks. Since, Channel Islands National Park is a non-fee charging park they do not issue the pass. Additionally, anyone having served in the military for at least one full term of obligation and received an Honorable Discharge, should receive access to National Parks. USGS Attn: Access Pass Box 25286 Is there some where I can go to find a list of recreation sites that are on the list for free access? Robert, Seems to me that if your impairment limits your normal activities sometimes, perhaps not all the time, you would not be wrong if you signed the statement. If my pass keeps people like you from whinnying and comparing your service to my combat injuries. Under 16: free. Discounts offered by the Pass vary widely across the many different types of recreation sites. I update it periodically to check links. Its hard enough being retired, getting SSA, Major life activities include functions such as: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, etc. I am a Vietnam combat wounded veteran that has only a 10% disability rating and could not honestly sign that statement. The people whom are the the raters, have to be rated. Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net. If this keeps happening, try contacting the websites owner. Let me understand this. If you speak about the entire National Park System, which includes Monument, Memorials, Seashores, Lakeshores, Recreation Areas, Preserves, Historic Sites, Military Parks, etc, then there are 419. Denver, CO 80225. Ill be retiring soon, so any freebies I can get in my travels (as a ret vet w/ %-connection for my back) when I do call it a career will be very much welcome. I am a widow of a Vietnam Veteran who died from his service connected disability. At Federal recreation sites that don't have entrance stations you need to display your pass or show proof of pass ownership to compliance officers via one of the two following methods: HANGTAGS I am the acting Business Manager for the Interagency Pass Program, including the lifetime Access Pass. The USGS Store accepts all Credit and Debit cards but gift cards of any kind are not accepted. Golden Age Passports are valid for a lifetime however, if they physically wear out you will need to obtain a replacement Access Pass with proper identification. If you didnt want to sign it then thats you, why worry about other people, stay in your lane and mind your own business! Its classes provide the hands-on training needed to learn about the many ways a Veteran may participate in agriculture. Box 25286 The Access Pass admits the Pass owner and any passengers traveling with him/her in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or the Pass owner and three additional adults where per-person fees are charged. People with disabilities interested in visiting national parks can benefit from the America the Beautiful Access Pass, a free, lifetime pass that is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability). For further details: In addition, theTennessee Valley Authority may honor the Access Pass for entrance or camping discounts. I just found out about this today. The National Park and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series provides various purchasing options for passes, while also offering a financial break to older adults and those with disabilities. You can have my pass. I was medicaly retired after 13 years. Do I need this also. Yet I will help anyone and I care, anything else would constitute a jealousy or narcissistic behavior as that they arent entitled to what they get or have because to you you dont see any disability in them. In 2013, Veterans to Farmers was launched to allow Veterans to re-utilize those skills while taking on the challenge of continuing to feed our growing nation and securing our food sovereignty. My late husband qualified through loss of use of his kidney function. The Interagency Access Pass may be issued to US citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) that severely limits one or more major life activities. I am curious too. It doesnt cost that much anyway. ACCEPTEDNotice of Award (SSDI), Image Smh. The park us free to enter, however you have to pay to park which is privately owned. how about I donate my pass to yall whining babies. You can also obtain an Access Passin person, with proper documentation,from a participating Federal recreation site or office. Please be aware that passes are not available at all national park sites. Gee sorry you arent disabled and living with daily pain so that you can get a free trip to the park. The pass program is managed by five Federal agencies that operate under different regulations and have different fees. If I printed it off they cant say anything to me. Having Medicare taking their share of my minimal retirement check? Here is a printable list for you to use to plan your trip. When leaving the lot the kiosk has option to select military. DECALS You also can mail in the form with proper supporting documents. I got my free Senior park pass about 2 years ago at the US Forestry office in Fresno, CA. If a park has a fee, I believe the last time we went to the Grand Canyon, it was $25 a car, and the entire carload will get in for free. Make sure to have photo ID available when using your Lifetime Access Pass and enjoy the majestic scenery and abundant recreational opportunities our National Parks provide. Have no problem doing it. If you dont live near a National Park that charges access fees, you will have to apply through the mail and pay $10.00 processing fee. They have water issues and because they cant provide normal services, they left it open/free entry. Remember, the hangtag itself is only a way to display your Pass, and isnot valid for entry unless it holds a valid Pass. Your type of messaging does not belong in this forum.my thought. Submit all completed applications to: MAIL: Washington State Parks P.O. I would like a natinonal park pass. Never mind Great Falls. I am a retired Marine Corp Veteran of 24 years service. The Access Pass may be picked up at any recreational site that issues passes: https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/PassIssuanceList.pdf I have a Golden Age Passport. What documentation do I need to show for proof of eligibility? Second, if applying by mail, send a completed packet and $10 processing fee to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. DO NOT use this option if you need your pass in 15 days or less. Apermanent disabilityis a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. This is seems so misleading. The cost of the Annual Senior Pass is $20. the VA sucks! As for the disabled Veteran National Parks Access Pass, you can get it in person at any NATIONAL Park that charges an Access Fee. The application cleared describes this and the applicant signs stating this are permanently disabled. Sites recommend that pass owners check with each site before visiting for details about Access Pass entry and discounts. But it is in addition (in most cases) to your regular disability rating (Schedular tier of disabilities ranging from 10%-100% for each disability). No PTSD! Im one of the few which chose to receive my disability compensation through the US Army/ PDRL and DFAS rather than the VA. (Army Pensions are guaranteed during government shutdowns). This is what I mean by the disconnect that exists between doing something for Veterans that doesnt require another form or writing down a 10 digit telephone number before you blow your brains out. Seniors will receive a discount for day-use entry if they show their driver's license. The process took less than an hour. There is some misinformation in the article and the comments. Every situation is different and it is none of my concern or my business to think or overthink about, nor yours sir. Anytime a Pass is used, photo identification will be requested to verify Pass ownership. The Park Ranger on duty was condescending and extremely rude. ATTN: Distinguished Veteran Pass Program. I got mine today at Johnsons Beach National Seashore, Perdido Key, FL Showed my VA card and that was it. You can obtain an Access Pass onstore.usgs.gov/access-passby uploading an ID and documentation of permanent disability and paying the processing fee of $10. Link to where you can order the Access Pass online: https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass. Some gave all, and dont have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of our country. Along with a valid photo ID such as a US passport, drivers license, or state-issued ID, applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability with one (1) of the following: Where can I get an Interagency Access Pass? The pass is for soldiers injured in combat and their spouses and immediate family members. I got it when they first came out. 1-888-ASK-USGS P.S. Im at 40% (30% above the quoted 10%). Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions. I completed understand what you went through, what I do in case I would ask for her Name and ID and the name of her supervisor, putting she/he on its place. It would be so easy to give it to everyone but that is why it is a program for the disabled. Found out last week the entry office is closed on Tuesdays, so its a free entry day. Do they really know how a vet with PTSD really feels? Therefore, the discount program for the Access Pass is not handled in the same way on all Federal recreation lands. I would gladly give up my benefits to get the last 5 years of my life back where as a 30 year old I cant drive or bathe myself. (age may have also been slightly raised). The disability requirements for the Access Pass are not based on percentage of disability. What is the address you mail an application to? And I hope that nobody would commit fraud to that extent for a free pass to a park. I dont have a supplemental income and Im an honorably discharged veterans. **imagine that here in the united states of north mexico!!!! Last month they got three stamps. 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