Vehicle fee exemptions for some disabled vets In accordance with State of Hawaii law (Act 128, SLH 2015), effective Jan. 1, 2016, 100 percent of disabled veterans who meet all of the following five criteria are exempt from paying vehicle
Vehicle fee exemptions for some disabled vets
In accordance with State of Hawaii law (Act 128, SLH 2015), effective Jan. 1, 2016, 100 percent of disabled veterans who meet all of the following five criteria are exempt from paying vehicle registration fees:
1. Is rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs as service-connected 100 percent disabled;
2. Is receiving disability retirement pay from any uniformed Armed Forces branch;
3. Is in receipt of an “other than dishonorable” discharge;
4. Is a resident of the State of Hawaii; and
5. Is the registered owner of the non-commercial vehicle.
(NOTE: This exemption applies to only one vehicle annually.)
Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015
Passed by Congress last July, the Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015 creates a nationwide veterans’ identification card intended to make it easier for veterans to prove eligibility for a veteran’s discount at restaurants and businesses nationwide. The VA will administer the application/issue process of this new card. The new card will not replace the requirement to provide a copy of the DD-214 when applying for certain federal benefits. DO NOT discard the DD-214.
Currently, the only veteran’s identification cards issued by the VA is to those veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care program and is known as the Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). This new veteran’s card will not replace the VHIC or the official DOD Military Retiree ID Card issued to veterans with 20 years or more active service. These veterans will not be eligible to apply for this new card.
Applying for this new card is optional and veterans must pay a small fee to cover the cost of the program. The VA will announce availability, costs and issue procedures when established which is not expected until 2017.
VA Health Care and ACA
The Affordable Care Act requires U.S. taxpayers to verify they meet minimum essential health coverage requirements on their annual federal tax form. Veterans enrolled in the VA Medical Care Program and their beneficiaries enrolled in CHAMPVA or the Spina Bifida Health Care Program meet these minimum requirements. To be of assistance in proving acceptable coverage under the ACA, the VA is mailing IRS Form 1095B to these individuals as proof that they meet acceptable medical care coverage requirements. Submit the form to the IRS along with the annual tax return.
TriCare and the ACA
Veterans and their beneficiaries enrolled in TriCare medical coverage also meet the minimum requirements of the ACA and the Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS) has begun mailing IRS Form 1095B to these individuals as proof that they meet acceptable medical care coverage requirements. Submit the form to the IRS along with the annual tax return.
Security job positions
Open on Kauai. Veterans preferred. Must have or be able to obtain “Guard Card” from the State of Hawaii.
For more information, please call Roger Jensen at (808) 284-1543.
•••
Tony Elliott, Kauai Office of Veterans’ Services can be reached at 241-3348.
