Ken and Bridgette at the Pfeifer Beach in Los Padres National Forest refused to honor my Veteran Pass. The Access Pass may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have apermanent disability(does not have to be a 100% disability) that severely limits one or more major life activities. The parking fee was their excuse. the VA sucks! Just wait till you go to a location that has a fee to enter. ATTN: Distinguished Veteran Pass Program. State Parks are hard up for $$$ so there may not be any discounts available. If you read the instructions, you have to pay for parking at some monuments because the are NOT run by the National Park Service, they are private contractors. thanks And somebody needs to put it in front of Congress if thats what it takes. The pass is for soldiers injured in combat and their spouses and immediate family members. https://parks.state.wa.us/205/Passes. Both passes are basically the same, just different criteria to be eligible for them.. Proof of residency Disabled everyone can get the pass at any National Park. Your status as a veteran isnt less important, its because you dont have a service connected disability. Denver, CO 80225. Misleading title on the email announcing free national park access, not mentioning it is for the disabled vets only, until we read the article. Its my believe that the vets posting here are attempting to help one another. You can get an Interagency Access Pass in person at a federal recreation site. 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Try going to Great Falls near McLean, just north of Tysons area. This was not always the existing policy with the passes so I could see how several agencies would be caught off guard with the VA just changing the rules without letting them know. This is the way I look at it. You think i will ever get it? To qualify for the Pass the disability must be permanent and limit one or more major life activities. I got mine today at Johnsons Beach National Seashore, Perdido Key, FL Showed my VA card and that was it. So if you are looking for travel tips, chances are theres a review on this blog, or feel free to contact me. To make it easier on veterans why not just issue the pass when the disability papers are sent to the veteran. A typical admission fee to a national park can range from free to $30 plus. A document issued by a Federal agency, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Administration, which attests that They also can be used at national parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands. The pass can be used at more than 2000 Federal recreation sites across the nation. Have an application mailed to you by calling (360) 902-8844, or the Washington Telecommunication Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. The National Park Annual Pass gives you access to over 2,000 recreation areas including federal lands, National Monuments, US National Historic Sites, National Historical Parks, and other sites managed by the National Park Service. I believe it is free if you apply in person, but a $10 processing fee if you mail in an application. Yes. This one also comes with free camping/moorage and campsite reservations through the state system, watercraft launching, trailer dump and day-use entry, as well. Yes. 10/30 Rule means Blood transfusion under 10.0 Hematocrit and 30% Hemoglobin, Now if we are talking the VA, yea they will make 30% = only 10%. JJ you are eligible for more disability compensation and benefits than you are getting. Thanks Dave Martin. An annual Parks Canada Discovery Pass covers admission to more than 80 destinations for 12 months. Many Veterans, with a service connected disability rating, are entering Federal recreation lands and national parks for free with anAmerica the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands lifetime Access Passthrough an interagency partnership between the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. The passes provide entrance or access to more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites. Does the pass only include the disabled veteran or is there a spouse encluded? Yes, please list the FREE recreation sites Nation wide. That was what motivated me to find the office and get my age related pass. You can obtain an Access Pass in person, with proper documentation, from a participating Federal recreation site or office. For all those whining about this nice benefit, please just be happy that you are not disabled and try to be for your disabled comrades. Box 25286 It is free to enter. To qualify, the person must have a diagnosed permanent disability. ACCEPTEDAward Letter (VA) Be thankful you have a free pass, its not something that everyone can get. The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass available to United States citizens or permanent residents, regardless of age, that have a permanent disability that can be used at over 2,000 Federal recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many National Forest lands. Under 16: free. P.O. The VSO officers who usually assist with claims do not know very much, if anything, about the SMP tier. Im filling out the application but its saying theres a $10 charge. A free, lifetime pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have apermanent disability(does not have to be a 100% disability)-that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. I did 38 years and feel that the disability is a strong qualification. I dont think 10% usually qualifies as severely disabled, I could be wrong. How many of you veterans applied for this free pass and signed the application stating that you had an impairment that severely limits one or more major life activities. There findings, attitude and compassion is very cold and callus.They must be re- examined. 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. What is the America the Beautiful- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass? So I went to my nearby National Battlefield Park in Manassas VA today, Memorial Day weekend to get a lifetime pass. Dan , this is shameful that they would disregard their own rules . 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. At many sites the Access Pass provides thepass ownera discount onExpanded Amenity Fees(such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). Attn: Access Pass A locked padlock Please contact a site directly if you have a question about pass acceptance and fees. If hearing loss and tinnitus is not a disability, I do not know what is. I cant find an application for a Disabled Veteran lifetime National Park Pass. I myself have been 100% connected from leaving the discharge shack, yet lest I judge or call out anybody else with a disability to deal with in their life. Good call! And the difference in a disabled that and a vet is for me anyway the vent goes out and he gets him another job and he works and he lives his life a disabled vet probably does not get to work as much as a a veteran. Im a 100% p/t vetera. Can we get this pass at our local veterans service office? Denver, CO 80225, Download the PDF application form. I will say though that from reading the article, it looks to me to be a lot easier to get it at a National Park. A free, lifetime pass - 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). Are passes available to disabled veterans or other . If lost or stolen, you'll need to apply for another one. One pass covers the vehicle at sites that charge "per vehicle". Showing a State motor vehicle department disability sticker, license plate or hang-tag is not acceptable documentation. Is this pass still valid ? So, Im rated at 20%. These are completely separate from the access pass, anyone can buy one and it has nothing to do with being disabled. Thank you for the extra information, it is very helpful. Total BS on that one. Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a . This is seems so misleading. 30 10 =, How do you solve it? I went to the fort in Puerto Rico while on a cruise,I didnt know about the card at the time, showed my VA ID to get the veteran discount and they just gave me the card, had me sign it, and let me in. She then handed me a permanent marker and scoffed at me when I couldnt get the cap off to sign with it. We experienced that too, and it pissed me off. I am the acting Business Manager for the Interagency Pass Program, including the lifetime Access Pass. Some gave all, and dont have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of our country. If you look closely at your VA disability rating and Benefit Summary, it should tell you whether you have a permanent disability or not. It is mind boggling what a great service this is yet people are complaining. You can also get an Interagency Access Pass online through the USGS Online Store or, through the mail using an application form (Note: While the pass itself is free, there is a shipping and processing cost to get a pass online or through the mail). The process took less than an hour. The ID needs to be in the name of the person obtaining the pass, not a parent in the case of a child. Sites recommend that pass owners check with each site before visiting for details about Access Pass entry and discounts. Document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income, or Supplemental Security Income; Document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. Smh. FedEx Overnight - typically 1 business day. America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Lands Pass. They told me that Mt Rushmore was not a national park. Do they really know how a vet with PTSD really feels? We have been to Boston, Philadelphia, National Parks out west and Washington DC many times. He was already rated 100% for his heart and 40% for diabetes. Never mind Great Falls. Hows it work for us? It sounds more like people who have chips on their shoulders and dont want to do their jobs and help people who are eligible for it. Personally, I feel proud to have served my country and sympathy for those who were unable or unwilling to serve. NOT ACCEPTED WOW We can give free to everything that comes in this country we can give our vets a free pass for their families Many of RECREATIONAL LANDS ACCESS PASS. Anyone 16 years or older may purchase the pass; children under 16 are always admitted free. Steve, Natl Parks Please. Not $80 for seniors I went with my Dad. Box 25286 I mean, youre free to reject it, of course, but you could just stuff some money into the the parks donation box instead of giving it to the ranger at the park gate and keep the line moving. And 70% disabled Army Vet. 1-888-ASK-USGS Ill give it to you, but thats wrong. Thanks VA and citizens! Can anyone help. Try working around jet engines for years and then tell me what you think about being nearly deaf. Go back to the last page Decals are issued on annual basis, even for owners of lifetime Senior/Access passes, Decals are NOT valid for entry at staffed entrance sites - you MUST show your pass, All sites that issue passes issue free hangtags. This is a very nice program, and I will take advantage of it. It indicates if injured once who leave the serveice the VA will take care of service contected disability, not non-service contected injuries and illnesses. Download the Distinguished Veteran Pass Application. 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. Seems like they have the personnel to do this. The ranger saying, everything is free here. then there are 61. Mail I mail the application packet with a check payment rather than filling out the credit card information? I was told at the visitor center that I had to be 100% disabled to qualify for the pass. Thank you for your service and sacrifice . The contract come with clauses indicating benefits. Picked mine up today, thanks for the heads up. 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. With claims do not know what is the America the Beautiful- the National Parks and Federal pass. 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