Camping under the stars Credit NPS / Emily Ogden. I went to the Grand Canyon in July of 2017. Download the 1- and 5-Year Disability Pass Application ( PDF or Word Document ). Just wait till you go to a location that has a fee to enter. You can learn more about these pass options below: Alternative Interagency Pass Options 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. Thanks, Steve, for your military service and for writing this clear and succinct story. And Veterans Natl. The passes provide entrance or access to more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites. I would venture to say that many of us who have a rating above 10%, have not been determined to be permanently disabled by the VA. I am the acting Business Manager for the Interagency Pass Program, including the lifetime Access Pass. 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. Im sure you can get a discount for your time served in the military and probably you didnt even deploy. Thank you for your service . the VA sucks! Thank you. USGS The application cleared describes this and the applicant signs stating this are permanently disabled. Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site. HEADS UP!!!! To obtain an Access pass through the mail, you must complete an application, provide a photocopy of proof of citizenship or residency, documentation of disability and pay the processing fee. I am an over 50% disabled vet but I am NOT permanently disabled. You pay a one time fee. There is a system in place for this, and we cannot just drive up to a park entrance expecting free admission. No PTSD! Lighten up!!! At many sites, the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). This pass is not exclusive to veterans. In the second paragraph above that reads: Many Veterans, with a service connected disability rating, are entering Federal parks for free with the Lifetime National Parks Access Pass from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Natl Parks Please. Access Pass applications are usually processed and shipped within 5 business days from the day they arrive at USGS. Thats It. It allows free entry to all National Parks and now Im wondering if it is the same and if the name changed. State Parks are hard up for $$$ so there may not be any discounts available. Your desire not to apply for this pass is commendable in your own right, but for many others it may be a blessing. Dishonest Jerks! So why did they stop. TheAccess Passadmits the pass owner and any passengers in a single, private vehicle (non-commercial) at per-vehicle entrance and day use fee areas; or, the pass owner plus three additional adults where per-person fees are charged. See https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm for sites that issue the Access Pass. Its only if you have a serious disability preventing you from one or more major life activity. Well, they are. 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 Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The pass can be used at more than 2000 Federal recreation sites across the nation. To make it easier on veterans why not just issue the pass when the disability papers are sent to the veteran. How to Get Your Free Access Pass to National Parks, ADHD and the Protection Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, When a Special Needs Trust Is Not the Only or Best Choice, A U.S. State or Territory issued Drivers License, Identification or Birth Certificate; or. Free National Parks Pass for Volunteers - If you volunteer more than 250 hours per year, you also may qualify for a free national parks pass. The pass program is managed by five Federal agencies that operate under different regulations and have different fees. JJ I also suspect you should have been rated 100% under the Schedular ratings. A Federal Recreational Lands Pass covers entrance fees to more then 2,000 sitesincluding national forests and grasslands. Because I dont have a service connected disability, my status as a Veteran is less important than someone who unfortunately has a service connected disability.. Hows it work for us? If you didnt want to sign it then thats you, why worry about other people, stay in your lane and mind your own business! I am receiving a non-service connected pension from the V.A., and have a 10% rating (which pays less than the non-service connected pension). I was like. Yes. 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. Once pass is received, you may use passcard for reservations and applicable benefits. Took the trip when living in FL for a NASCAR race and had an entire day free before. Dan Life is not fair Im sure that most all of us that have served and were injured/disable would trade this pass for good health. Just a parking fee. Thanks. Thank you for writing the article, I had no clue federal parks were free. Normally this would be $80 per year or as much as $25-$50 per visit. Can we get this pass at our local veterans service office? Good for entry into 400+ National Parks and over 2,000 recreation sites across the country, the Lifetime Access Pass is another way a grateful nation says thank you for the service and sacrifices of Veterans with disabilities. Other acceptable Federal agency documents include proof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI);. I guess you believe everyone should get a trophy also. The parking fee was their excuse. I am curious too. Personally, I feel proud to have served my country and sympathy for those who were unable or unwilling to serve. https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/access_pass_application.pdf, The address is on the application. 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. I have all the necessary paperwork and I am eager to visit these parks. Twice, I had filed for service connection with the V.A. 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). You can also obtain an Access Passin person, with proper documentation,from a participating Federal recreation site or office. Every situation is different and it is none of my concern or my business to think or overthink about, nor yours sir. I am a Desert Storm Veteran, non-combat with service connection. A very pleasant surprise, (I still put a few dollars into the donation locations at the Ranger Stations, pay if forward). Have no problem doing it. OIF you have been medically determined to be eligible to receive Federal benefits, I applied in person and didnt have to fill out or sign a form. An official website of the United States government. Steve, Attn: Access Pass How to Get the Free National Parks 4 Grade Annual Pass. You also can mail in the form with proper supporting documents. The park us free to enter, however you have to pay to park which is privately owned. then there are 61. Why just disabled? But it is in addition (in most cases) to your regular disability rating (Schedular tier of disabilities ranging from 10%-100% for each disability). Since, Channel Islands National Park is a non-fee charging park they do not issue the pass. Because I dont have a service connected disability, my status as a Veteran is less important than someone who unfortunately has a service connected disability. The second vehicle is subject to anentrance fee, or must have (or buy) a second pass. 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. The White House should see to it that all parks, that have a staff on site, at a welcome desk, issue these. Personally, I have a 100% rating but appreciate that this is for 10% and up. I dont have a supplemental income and Im an honorably discharged veterans. Did anyone else notice that there are only 58 national parks in the USA? I displayed my retired military ID, my VA ID card and I asked her if she was having a bad day! I think I had already heard something about it but never gave it much thought. Denver, CO 80225. Any ideas on how I can obtain the form? Most importantly, thanks to those who gave all, and their families who miss them every day. Got my card and on my way in less than two minutes. The Access Passes are even offered on Clear Creeks website. Official websites use .gov 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. Any discounts or anything? As I recall the free pass was going to start having a fee. -kevin. In the above paragraph that reads: 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. 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). Ive had one for years. Wow!! Yes, England has its own National Parks System, but I do not know their programs. there is an OR for Vets in the second bullet point. Can anyone help. Try going to Great Falls near McLean, just north of Tysons area. For instance, you may have injured your back while in the military. (1-888-275-8747) They also can be used at national parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands. The application indicates that this is for the AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL THE NATIONAL PARKS AND FEDERAL You can pay per vehicle or per person for admission. Second, if applying by mail, send a completed packet and $10 processing fee to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). I was told at the visitor center that I had to be 100% disabled to qualify for the pass. At many sites the Access Pass provides thepass ownera discount onExpanded Amenity Fees(such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). Your type of messaging does not belong in this forum.my thought. 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. No, less than 1% of the current population are active veterans, a little over 7% of the current population are veterans. I appreciate you sharing information with your followers but ask that your links go directly to the USGS Store FAQs and/or specific information about the Access Pass. Not $80 for seniors I went with my Dad. Please see my Sensory Friendly Travel Section for all of our National Park and other travel reviews. Mail I mail the application packet with a check payment rather than filling out the credit card information? View a detailed list of required documents pertaining to the Disitnguished Veteran Pass Application. They cover the use of facilities and services at many day-use sites on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. Thank you all for your service, this program seems to have been designed for veterans with service connected disabilities . If someone in your family qualifies, there are a couple of ways you can obtain this. The site says ( does not have to be 100% ). At "per person" sites, the applicable fee will be charged for each additional person. You have to go to the National Park and present DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ID CARD with annotations of your VA Disability Rating or your Award Letter outlining your Disability Rating. This is a nice benefit and I have already taken advantage of it. Gee sorry you arent disabled and living with daily pain so that you can get a free trip to the park. USGS Download the Distinguished Veteran Pass Application. Im 100% veteran and dont care if your 10% you served your country and no one should complain about us getting a freebie discount, I assure u weve earned every thing and more we get free. So I went to my nearby National Battlefield Park in Manassas VA today, Memorial Day weekend to get a lifetime pass. Ended up going to Shenandoah National Park to get the pass. Who is eligible to get an Interagency Access Pass? Whats going on here?? 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