Yes, please list the FREE recreation sites Nation wide. You will need to upload documentation, so prepare PDFs or pictures of your documents. Why isnt Mt Rushmore a national park? 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). Ive had one for years. Twice, I had filed for service connection with the V.A. Follow the instructions on the website and pay the document processing fee of $10. 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). Thanks for the heads up and regards to all fellow vets out there. P.S. Said they were specifically told they do not allow ANY passes by the folks at Parks Management Company. Just went to MR last weekmilitary did not have to pay for parking. These include seniors, youth, volunteers, military and their families, and those with permanent disabilities. 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. Waaaaa!Waaaaa! Now, I love my NASCARhave been to dozens of races from Miami to Phoenix to NH and never miss one on TV..BUT that trip was worth the Grand Canyon ALONE! I got it when they first came out. There is a system in place for this, and we cannot just drive up to a park entrance expecting free admission. Not sure how that happened on Federal land but thats the skinny on Rushmore. I signed up for a free access pass a couple of years ago and received a AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL pass. In Pocatello, Idaho please come to the Forest Service office at 4350 Cliffs Drive instead of the BLM/Department of the Interior, and I can help you out. However, expect a minimum of 12 weeks for pass to arrive. Some examples of acceptable documentation include: Image Drove up to the gates to the Grand Canyon and the park lady says, thats not accurate. 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. The park us free to enter, however you have to pay to park which is privately owned. Dont like my comment so you remove it.. ? Under 16: free. Dishonest Jerks! The second vehicle is subject to anentrance fee, or must have (or buy) a second pass. 1-888-ASK-USGS This post was originally published eons ago. Share your knowledge and experience by joining this community as a contributor. Try going to Great Falls near McLean, just north of Tysons area. Complete the request, print the 4th grade voucher, and present the voucher to a ranger before entering a site or simply leave it face up . YES I AM A RETIRED U.S.NAVY VETERAN MMCS I AM 70 % DISABLED RIGHT NOW. What you are applying for is called an Access Pass. (different from the Golden Access Pass for senior citizens or disabled veterans). Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions. I called a few places and we ended up going to a park rangers office in Indiana to get ours. 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. No PTSD! So call first. For further details: 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. they become veterans after they leave military service. 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. You can have my pass. The Access Pass may also offer a discount on some expanded amenity fees, such as camping. Thanks for the pass The Access Pass admits the Pass . 40% rating here. Your type of messaging does not belong in this forum.my thought. If my pass keeps people like you from whinnying and comparing your service to my combat injuries. Handicap Placard/Application. They told me that Mt Rushmore was not a national park. Ill bet illegals get anything they want **FREE** including this benefit or all else democraps will have another sissy convulsion, duh!!! Try working around jet engines for years and then tell me what you think about being nearly deaf. ACCEPTEDAward Letter (VA) 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. If you are a Veteran in crisis NOT ACCEPTED It takes about 30 seconds to process. Let me understand this. Veterans who have been medically determined to have a disability are eligible for the Lifetime Access Passwith three options for obtaining the pass: First, Veterans with disability documentation can order the Access Pass online for a $10 processing fee which includes standard shipping. Try this: Can I utilize the free national park pass or is it just for the Veteran? California State Parks. Please be aware that passes are not available at all national park sites. To qualify for the pass, the disability must be permanent and limit one or more major life activities. If you fall into any of the following groups, here's what you pay for an annual pass: Veterans: free. 30 10 =, How do you solve it? Semper Fi! Can you provide me with the application form? 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 did bring out my VA letter showing 100% disability. VA disability award letter, VA summary of benefits, or proof of SSDI income. I got my disabled Access Pass at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge without a problem. Just called the number on the form. Who qualifies for the Access Pass? I just feel they are uneducated about their S.O.P. Here is the link to the FAQs related to all interagency passes: https://store.usgs.gov/faq, Link to sites that issue and accept the Access Pass: https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes, If you have any questions, please contact me at Lisa_Bourne@nps.gov or my colleague Traci_Kolc@nps.gov. No, less than 1% of the current population are active veterans, a little over 7% of the current population are veterans. Can this pass be picked up at our local Veterans Advocate office? Cmon were all vets here and can follow instructions right? Thank you for your service and sacrifice . USGS Attn: Access Pass Box 25286 DECALS Ya my brother is in the same boat. I would like to know where are some of the places in Kansas that I can use this because I live in Kansas. The Access Pass . I got mine today at Johnsons Beach National Seashore, Perdido Key, FL Showed my VA card and that was it. Right! I just purchase a year pass, is there any way to get the fee refunded and get this instead? Try listening to a constant ring in your ears twenty-four hours a day or not being able to socialize because you can hardly recognize what people are saying, then maybe you can complain. It is: Visit USA.gov, This will take you to the MyHealtheVet website, This will take you to the Suicide Prevention website, This will take you to the VA Find a Form page, This will take you to the VA Publications page, Disabled Veterans eligible for free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass, America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands lifetime Access Pass, https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/PassIssuanceList.pdf, https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes, https://eauth.va.gov/ebenefits/download-letters, Travis Mills Foundation seeks to help injured Veterans recalibrate, Veterans to Farmers determined to expand farming opportunities for women Veterans, Volunteers of America offers online program to help Veterans experiencing moral injury, Call TTY if you 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 wish you luck JJ. Yes you can send a check instead of putting a CC # on the form. 2023 A Day In Our Shoes with Lisa Lightner, How to Get Your Free Lifetime National Parks Pass for Disabilities, National Park Access Pass-Disabled Person, How to Apply for a FREE National Parks Pass, How to a National Parks Pass for Disabled People, Activities at National Parks-Printable List, England has its own National Parks System. Passes ordered online or through the mail will be delivered 3 to 4 weeks after receipt of documentation and processing payment. Around 25% of them have fees. If you do visit National Parks and dont want to pay a $10.00 processing fee, then wait until you visit a National park and get it in person. They may not even have heard of it. 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. Download the Distinguished Veteran Pass Application. 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. 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). Thank you all for your service, this program seems to have been designed for veterans with service connected disabilities . She demanded information on my disability rating and seemed to focus on whether I was 100% disabled. Lighten up!!! When we entered the gate to the park, I asked for my Golden Access Pass. An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? The PDF list of the national parks that issue passes is linked here. This pass is the same as senior citizen pass. The article says 10% or higher eligible, but the application says severely disabled. For complete information on the pass, please follow the following links: Access Pass Frequently Asked Questions: https://store.usgs.gov/faq#Access-Pass Both passes are basically the same, just different criteria to be eligible for them.. I bet most of the people who are eligible would trade with you. uh, I got my paperwork from the VA here and the VA website said that if I brought it.. Your status as a veteran isnt less important, its because you dont have a service connected disability. I would like to have an application by mail. Thats part of why its important to get rated and updated ratings. 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. Last month they got three stamps. Frequently Asked Questions about the Interagency Access Pass. This is a very nice program, and I will take advantage of it. You have to check with your State VA services to see if a special access pass is offered for your State Parks and Recreation Services. Did anyone else notice that there are only 58 national parks in the USA? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. It is a National Memorial and they only charge for parking. 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. Thanks, Jim. A document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. Golden Pass for over 62? 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. The application states Blindness or Permanent Disability. She then handed me a permanent marker and scoffed at me when I couldnt get the cap off to sign with it. The email I got from VA news stated that this was free for disabled vets. At many sites the Access Pass provides thepass ownera discount onExpanded Amenity Fees(such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). Editors note: this blog was updated Sept. 30, 2020. Please contact a site directly if you have a question about pass acceptance and fees. A navy vietnam veteran. 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). Since, Channel Islands National Park is a non-fee charging park they do not issue the pass. 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