He did peritoneal dialysis every day at home for 5 years before he died of his heart condition in Dec 2015. Good to know this. Both passes are basically the same, just different criteria to be eligible for them.. (1-888-275-8747) Kevin, READ THE FORM! Camping under the stars Credit NPS / Emily Ogden. P.S. The site says ( does not have to be 100% ). Can anyone help. It may also be ordered through the USGS Online (with a $10 handling fee): https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass Will I qualify for the free pass? Once pass is received, you may use passcard for reservations and applicable benefits. The VSO officers who usually assist with claims do not know very much, if anything, about the SMP tier. If damaged, it can be replaced as long as a portion of the pass is identifiable and you show proper identification. Im still in my 40s with a disability, so its pretty special for me and tons of other vets who arent senior citizens and wouldnt otherwise have these benefits. What documentation do I need to show for proof of eligibility? I went today and the front entry was closed again. Did anyone else notice that there are only 58 national parks in the USA? Im a 100% p/t vetera. Rushmore is free to enter , you have to pay for parking . Try going to Great Falls near McLean, just north of Tysons area. 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. 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. I know that Maine Parks and Rec do the same. Took the trip when living in FL for a NASCAR race and had an entire day free before. Overview of the Annual Pass. For passes with qualifying factors (Senior Pass, Access Pass, and Military Pass) the name of the account holder will be printed on the card. 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. Some gave all, and dont have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of our country. Picked mine up today, thanks for the heads up. You must also have documentation that you have a permanent disability, which could include:A statement signed by a licensed physician attesting that you have a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, and stating the nature of the impairment; or A document issued by a Federal agency, such as the Veteran's Administration, which attests that you have been medically determined to be eligible to receive Federal benefits as a result of blindness or permanent disability; orProof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or a document issued by a State agency such as the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, which attests that you have been medically determined to be eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation agency benefits or services as a result of medically determined blindness or permanent disability. I would seek guidance from the South Park Ranger District 719 836-2031 as to why they are not following the rules on the access point and their website. I got my free Senior park pass about 2 years ago at the US Forestry office in Fresno, CA. So if you are looking for travel tips, chances are theres a review on this blog, or feel free to contact me. It also list other benefits. Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions. Thank you I was thinking the same thing! Lighten up!!! What a scam. I have been trying for several days to download the PDF application and keep getting the same response, Hey this is a great job on this but I think we can do better to include all veterans not just disabled veterns. She, reluctantly handed me the pass and told me I must sign it. I live near Manassas too. active military not active veterans. https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/access_pass_application.pdf. Ill bet illegals get anything they want **FREE** including this benefit or all else democraps will have another sissy convulsion, duh!!! Yes. Not $80 for seniors I went with my Dad. Interagency Access Passes are available online. Therefore, according to the Park Ranger only go to fee charging National Parks to get the free pass. Disability Access Pass for National Parks: Read through the instructions first and gather your documentation. Box 942896. Need application for my HUSBAND disabled vet. Desert Storm For instance, you may have injured your back while in the military. Just went to MR last weekmilitary did not have to pay for parking. https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/access_pass_application.pdf, The address is on the application. Since I am not permanently disabled I cannot benefit from the program. Box 25286 Why is it so hard for some of you to do that? If the DOD is not fulfilling the contract, get a lawyer or be thankful you served and the contract Fullfilled and complete. So why did they stop. Is there a way to sign up online to get the pass? Click on the The Access Pass application form nit is a hyperlink to the form and the form has the directions and address. The disability requirements for the Access Pass are not based on percentage of disability. Good morning, Mr. Clipp. The SMP tier has additional assistant benefits besides the increase in monthly dollars too. The Access Pass is free and can be obtained in person at one of these federal recreation sites, through the mail following the instructions on the National Park Service website, or ordered online via the US Geological Survey website. The ID needs to be in the name of the person obtaining the pass, not a parent in the case of a child. Click on Lifetime National Parks Access Pass, it is a hyperlink that will open the ACCESS PASS FAQ. The access Pass is fantastic. 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). The ranger saying, everything is free here. If lost or stolen, you'll need to apply for another one. They would not accept it and had to pay $6 to get in. Please contact a site directly if you have a question about pass acceptance and fees. The application states Blindness or Permanent Disability. Download the Distinguished Veteran Pass Application. they are active military & become veterans after they leave military service. This post was originally published eons ago. Download the 1- and 5-Year Disability Pass Application ( PDF or Word Document ). Working veterans are expected to subsidize the elderly as it is, despite the elderly being the richest portion of the US population this is just insult added to injury, by politicians and bureaucrats trying to cozy up to greedy old voters. There is no fee for Rushmore. ACCEPTEDSummary of Benefits (VA), Image I called a few places and we ended up going to a park rangers office in Indiana to get ours. USGS Before you go to one of those NPS locations, make sure you read what you need to bring with you as far as documentation. 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. You can also apply via the mail, which is nice. VA disability award letter, VA summary of benefits, or proof of SSDI income. Heaven knows the govt used, and often abused, some of the best years of our lives. So I went to my nearby National Battlefield Park in Manassas VA today, Memorial Day weekend to get a lifetime pass. I also would like to know. When onejoined the military a contract is sign. 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. Or just being totally ignorant. Official websites use .gov Thanks to the VA, the Parks Service and our citizens. There is a $10 processing fee. I just got a pass at Zion national Park. I dont why she was so cross or it bothered me so much. Handicap Placard/Application. We dont care about your percentage. The Interagency Military Pass has been part of the America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series since 2012. When we went to the White House Easter Egg Roll, I learned that the South Lawn of the White House is actually a national park! And somebody needs to put it in front of Congress if thats what it takes. Why should you receive the same benefits as those who served to retirement or have received a disability? So, you have to be in pain in order to be disabled. They no longer charge at this park, which seems they might want to again, at least for yearly passes to help pay for running the place. US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities: free. Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site. Therefore, the discount program for the Access Pass is not handled in the same way on all Federal recreation lands. echo $arrContactInfo['con_position']; ?>, Have a Disability? Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions. Smh. The cost of obtaining an Access Pass through the mail is ten dollars ($10) for processing the application (the Pass is free). I first secured my pass in Denver ,Colorado years ago while working in the VA arena, and made it a point to inform all veterans I came in contact with of all State, Federal and local benefits they were entitled to. Personally, I have a 100% rating but appreciate that this is for 10% and up. The lady cuts me off. These include seniors, youth, volunteers, military and their families, and those with permanent disabilities. Not sure how that happened on Federal land but thats the skinny on Rushmore. 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. I think something is going wrong. If you need your pass sooner please visit a site near you that distributes passes: SITES THAT ISSUE PASSES, America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass. Google form DD2765. I did 38 years and feel that the disability is a strong qualification. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Well, they are. Who knows. Where do they come from in background and lifestyle. 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? Im sorry I didnt dedicate a full 20+ years or get hurt but give me benefits and stuff anyway, even though I sacrifice as much. I am the acting Business Manager for the Interagency Pass Program, including the lifetime Access Pass. Bring your disability letter from VA benefits office to prove your disability rating and your drivers license. Yes, If you apply on the website or by mail there is a 10 dollar processing fee for all America the Beautiful Passes which includes access to 6 federal land agency locations, (National Parks, US Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service, Army Corp of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation). Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single . I have all the necessary paperwork and I am eager to visit these parks. It states this clearly on the VA Benefits Summary. Also, when checking the United States Geological Survey website it shows no knowledge of this pass. fedrecpass@usgs.gov Please provide a mailing address for the US Geological Survey to obtain this free pass. 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. The correct cost of this pass is $80. To qualify, the person must have a diagnosed permanent disability. If you are 62 you are eligible for a lifetime access pass to our NATIONAL PARKS (NOT State Parks) for a very small fee-use to be $10.00 but Congress raised it recently to approx. I have a Golden Age Passport. So get one! This might be because the site uses outdated or unsafe TLS security settings. Come to find out that one of the largest National parks in the Washington DC doesnt issue the passes. USGS Attn: Access Pass Box 25286 1966 1970 Vietnam Era 100%. Ya my brother is in the same boat. Its hard enough to just shower, let alone get groceries. Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a . Dan , this is shameful that they would disregard their own rules . In the above paragraph that reads: Well see if a 10% disability qualifies. Ranger program for kids too. Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site. As far a true National Parks, such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc. is this the same as the Golden Age Passport. Get ready for adventure: 450 000 km 2 of memories await! If this keeps happening, try contacting the websites owner. The nonprofit group Volunteers of America (VOA) recognizes the challenges Veterans often face in confronting moral injury, which is essentially a conflict with ones personal code of morality. Ended up going to Shenandoah National Park to get the pass. Keywords in the applicationresult of blindness or permanent disability. 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. Is this for any disability rate or only 100% disabled? This is an interagency pass and includes Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers sites, in addition to the National Parks and monuments. I got mine today at Johnsons Beach National Seashore, Perdido Key, FL Showed my VA card and that was it. IT says IN BOLD where to send the completed application to. Note:Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership. To apply, you just need to provide a valid form of identification and documentation that proves you have a permanent disability. Once the application package is received, the documentation will be verified and a pass, with the pass owner's name pre-printed on it, will be issued to the applicant. Sites recommend that pass owners check with each site before visiting for details about Access Pass entry and discounts. I got it when they first came out. Ill give it to you, but thats wrong. However, expect a minimum of 12 weeks for pass to arrive. The 10% disability rating mentioned in your email as qualifying for the free parks pass is not accurate per the personnel at the Baldwin Michigan District Forest Service office. 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. uh, I got my paperwork from the VA here and the VA website said that if I brought it.. The Access Pass . This is what deep state types l eft over from the obummer years do. 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. have hearing loss, VA plans, budget, finances, and performance, VA disability award letter, VA summary of benefits, or proof of SSDI income. the VA sucks! 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. or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. 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. 30 10 =, How do you solve it? Again like most government bureaucracies you must jump through hoops. I would like to have an application by mail. You can obtain an Access Pass in person, with proper documentation, from a participating Federal recreation site or office. 100% Disabled If I printed it off they cant say anything to me. the term active veterans is incorrect. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS No. We have been to Boston, Philadelphia, National Parks out west and Washington DC many times. I am rated 100% disabled by the Veterans Administration. They also can be used at national parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands. 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. Unfortunately, No! My late husband qualified through loss of use of his kidney function. It is a lifetime pass and is only issued to the one with the disability but anyone in the vehicle with that individual does get into the area under that pass. P.O. Attn: Access Pass 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. JJ I also suspect you should have been rated 100% under the Schedular ratings. Proof of residency Other acceptable Federal agency documents include proof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI);. Thanks in advance. One pass covers the vehicle at sites that charge "per vehicle". Im sure you can get a discount for your time served in the military and probably you didnt even deploy. Because it had a retractable spring point! Box 42650 Access Passes may be obtained via mail order from USGS. Also in large print. I signed up for a free access pass a couple of years ago and received a AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL pass. For additional questions regarding the pass, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions. The crooked San Diego property tax Assessor gave me a reduction for a 100% disability rating, as required, but somehow, the very next year, my property tax assessment tax amount, went Up by the very Same amount of the difference. Last month they got three stamps. I was told as a child and I live up to it everyday Dont worry about anybody elses personal business, worry about yourself. Why isnt Mt Rushmore a national park? 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. I love our national parks, and some surprising places are national parks. It would be so easy to give it to everyone but that is why it is a program for the disabled. With access to over 2,000 locations nationwide, this pass grants individuals with disabilities a lifetime of adventures you don't want to miss. 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) - that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. A America the Beautiful pass to verify pass ownership disability requirements for the heads.... Letter from VA benefits office to prove your disability letter from VA benefits summary Beautiful... If a 10 % disability rating and your drivers license much, if anything, the. Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership the best years of our country on the application gather... 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