(1-888-275-8747) Because that makes to much sense. How to Get the Free National Parks 4 Grade Annual Pass. Drove up to the gates to the Grand Canyon and the park lady says, thats not accurate. 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. Many people think that ALL national parks are free, but that is not the case. The Access Pass may be issued to U.S. 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. They may not even have heard of it. 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). What is the address to send the application to? 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. Are passes available to disabled veterans or other . Yes, please list the FREE recreation sites Nation wide. Dont like my comment so you remove it.. ? Attn: Access Pass If the DOD is not fulfilling the contract, get a lawyer or be thankful you served and the contract Fullfilled and complete. I called a few places and we ended up going to a park rangers office in Indiana to get ours. The packet should include: 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. Does the pass only include the disabled veteran or is there a spouse encluded? 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. You still have to pay to go to Rushmore. I went to one yesterday and they were requiring a 70% to get a free pass. Sir I salute your comment and your thinking. If years later, the VA and Park Service agree that were eligible for and want to give us a free pass to see the most beautiful parts of the country that we served to protect, then why turn it down? Did you know that individuals with disabilities are entitled to a free lifetime pass to visit our National Parks? Every bit helps. I just dont believe people should be in positions of authority without some kind of background check for sociopathic behavior and a false sense of superiority over the less fortunate. fedrecpass@usgs.gov P.O. 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. 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 You can pay per vehicle or per person for admission. The Access Pass may also offer a discount on some expanded amenity fees, such as camping. Box 25286 I am curious too. Thank you for writing the article, I had no clue federal parks were free. 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. US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities: free. A document issued by a state agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. Ended up going to Shenandoah National Park to get the pass. Why is there Algebra? 1-888-ASK-USGS Attn: Access Pass Hey this is a great job on this but I think we can do better to include all veterans not just disabled veterns. Maybe an America the Beautiful annual pass or a lifetime pass is the best option for you. You can apply for the pass online or by mail with a $10 processing fee or get it for free at a Federal recreation site that issues the passes. I am a disabled Vet. What about widows of disabled veterans who are also disabled and on SS disability? Its very simple folks: 1. I am 100% disabled and I still donate money every time I enter a park. What is the address you mail an application to? A little-known benefit from the Interior Department gives military veterans with any disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs a free lifetime pass to national parks and other . There is not an age requirement for this pass. 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. Right! 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. JJ you are eligible for more disability compensation and benefits than you are getting. But that is something Im not sure of.check it out for sure. Dan You should be able to go to any National Park and they should give it to you at the entrance. Visit the Every Kid Outdoors website and get a paper pass. A permanent disability is 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. USGS Note:Photo identification will be requested to verify pass ownership. The passes provide entrance or access to more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites. A park Ranger stated only fee charging parks will issue the pass and non-fee charging parks do not issue the pass. If you fall into any of the following groups, here's what you pay for an annual pass: Veterans: free. I displayed my retired military ID, my VA ID card and I asked her if she was having a bad day! A locked padlock So I went to my nearby National Battlefield Park in Manassas VA today, Memorial Day weekend to get a lifetime pass. True, but what about the discounts in the store and such. 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. I update it periodically to check links. I am a real novice when it comes to computers and not comfortable doing much of anything via the Web. The USGS Store accepts all Credit and Debit cards but gift cards of any kind are not accepted. IT says IN BOLD where to send the completed application to. I am an over 50% disabled vet but I am NOT permanently disabled. Picked mine up today, thanks for the heads up. Discounts offered by the Pass vary widely across the many different types of recreation sites. The lady cuts me off. I was medicaly retired after 13 years. Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single . Send your completed Application to: Questions: What is the America the Beautiful- The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass? To get this benefit, 4th Graders must go to the Every Kid Outdoors website at everykidoutdoors.gov click on the "Get Your Pass" icon at the top of the screen to get your free voucher. See https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm for sites that issue the Access Pass. Anytime a Pass is used, photo identification will be requested to verify Pass ownership. Can anyone help. Then why are you receiving 10% if nothing is wrong? The senior pass now costs $80 and does not provide the financial discounts. You buy those, but then they can get them stamped at each National Park/Site/Monument that you visit. At many sites the Access Pass provides thepass ownera discount onExpanded Amenity Fees(such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). The access Pass is fantastic. To apply, you just need to provide a valid form of identification and documentation that proves you have a permanent disability. 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. I lost and eye and Im at 30%. 1966 1970 Vietnam Era 100%. The article contained a link to a list of all the national parks by state. 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). It is free to enter. Download the Distinguished Veteran Pass Application. 30 10 =, How do you solve it? echo $arrContactInfo['con_position']; ?>, Have a Disability? If a park has a fee, I believe the last time we went to the Grand Canyon, it was $25 a car, and the entire carload will get in for free. Is this for any disability rate or only 100% disabled? Try going to Great Falls near McLean, just north of Tysons area. Personally, I feel proud to have served my country and sympathy for those who were unable or unwilling to serve. The ranger who issued it to me asked me nothing similar, only what I did in the service. Disability Access Pass for National Parks: Read through the instructions first and gather your documentation. We have visited many of the National Parks. Too bad Eleven Mile Canyon National Forest would not honor my Access Pass or my Disabled Veteran license plate issued by the State of Kansas, contrary to the guidance posted at the access point. Sites recommend that pass owners check with each site before visiting for details about Access Pass entry and discounts. Under 16: free. (redacted) 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. As I recall the free pass was going to start having a fee. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. How to get a National Parks Disability Pass: 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. The correct cost of this pass is $80. This pass is not exclusive to veterans. My boys also have National Parks Passports. Thanks for the heads up and regards to all fellow vets out there. NOT ACCEPTEDNotice of Benefit Increase (SSDI), Image 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Google form DD2765. Ive had mine for over 20 years, so this is NOT a new program. NOT TRUE! I was able to download with Firefox (67.0) and Chrome (74.9.3729.169). Please see my Sensory Friendly Travel Section for all of our National Park and other travel reviews. STOP your crying. Most importantly, thanks to those who gave all, and their families who miss them every day. 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. As far a true National Parks, such as Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc. I know because I have the disable veteran pass and my brother has the senior pass. These include seniors, youth, volunteers, military and their families, and those with permanent disabilities. The ranger saying, everything is free here. YES I AM A RETIRED U.S.NAVY VETERAN MMCS I AM 70 % DISABLED RIGHT NOW. Can I utilize the free national park pass or is it just for the Veteran? Read the article through, your question is answered. I bet most of the people who are eligible would trade with you. On December 27, 2021, President Biden signed into law S. 1605 "The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022" (NDAA). DECALS 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. Just went to MR last weekmilitary did not have to pay for parking. A Federal Recreational Lands Pass covers entrance fees to more then 2,000 sitesincluding national forests and grasslands. Can you provide me with the application form? Not sure how that happened on Federal land but thats the skinny on Rushmore. 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. That was what motivated me to find the office and get my age related pass. Will I qualify for the free pass? Discovery Pass: access to multiple locations Save time at the gate. USGS Said they were specifically told they do not allow ANY passes by the folks at Parks Management Company. Ya my brother is in the same boat. Mail-order applicants for the Access Pass must submit a completedpaper application, proof of residency and documentation of permanent disability (does not have to be100% disability), and pay the document processing fee of $10 to obtain a pass through the mail. What is the deal there? View a detailed list of required documents pertaining to the Disitnguished Veteran Pass Application. On the flip side I always wondered why they had free Active Duty passes and not something for Veterans. We also collect the National Parks and State quartersbut we collect all of them in a folder, not just the ones we have visited. Denver, CO 80225, fedrecpass@usgs.gov The Access Pass is valid only at participatingFederalrecreation sites. Thank you all for your service, this program seems to have been designed for veterans with service connected disabilities . Semper Fi! 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. 6 years in the Marine Corps and nothing to show but a expired ID. Why isnt Mt Rushmore a national park? The disability requirements for the Access Pass are not based on percentage of disability. Francis J. Fitzpatrick. Rushmore is free to enter , you have to pay for parking . May be obtained free in person at a federal recreation site. Ken and Bridgette at the Pfeifer Beach in Los Padres National Forest refused to honor my Veteran Pass. Visithttp://www.recreation.govfor information about Federal recreation sites. National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass or "Interagency" Pass Program? And, with this pass, even if the park itself does not have a fee, you could get a discount on extras (they call them amenities) such as camping or boating. Just a parking fee. thanks Please note that Interagency Passes will not be available for immediate download or printing. The site says ( does not have to be 100% ). Maine also has a free lifetime hunting and fishing license if you are a veteran and are at least 50% combat related disabled. Go to a Forrest Service Office its free, fast, and easy. These are completely separate from the access pass, anyone can buy one and it has nothing to do with being disabled. If you have a Forrest Service Office in your area, go there with your paperwork showing your disability rating and they will issue you one right then and there for free. Then they charge a separate $11 for electricity. Ranger program for kids too. :). DO NOT use this option if you need your pass in 15 days or less. 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. I did 38 years and feel that the disability is a strong qualification. fedrecpass@usgs.gov 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747) Count your blessings. So why did they stop. Buy your Discovery Pass Where to get your pass in person: participating locations | MEC stores Therefore, according to the Park Ranger only go to fee charging National Parks to get the free pass. ACCEPTEDSummary of Benefits (VA), Image 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. An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? I also would like to know. USGS Attn: Access Pass Box 25286 I wish you luck JJ. SpaceA. Less than 1% of the US population are military veterans. 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. Heaven knows the govt used, and often abused, some of the best years of our lives. Im about to do it myself. A lock Mail I mail the application packet with a check payment rather than filling out the credit card information? Your status as a veteran isnt less important, its because you dont have a service connected disability. Found out last week the entry office is closed on Tuesdays, so its a free entry day. And 70% disabled Army Vet. 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. Thanks, The SMP tier has additional assistant benefits besides the increase in monthly dollars too. ACCEPTEDAward Letter (VA) I have been fortunate enough to not be injured in battle, just hearing loss and some arthritis from physical strains and injuries. Senior Citizens can also get a pass for only being Senior Citizens. Just Fine unless the Fing VA doesnt take away your 38 yr old service connected disability rating. Also: I see another comment on here about buying a lifetime pass at the age of 62 or older. The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass available to United States citizens or permanent residents, regardless of age, that have a permanent disabilitythat can be used at over 2,000 Federal recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and many National Forest lands. The VSO officers who usually assist with claims do not know very much, if anything, about the SMP tier. When leaving the lot the kiosk has option to select military. Handicap Placard/Application. Every situation is different and it is none of my concern or my business to think or overthink about, nor yours sir. I love our national parks, and some surprising places are national parks. Because I was wounded in Vietnam and have a Purple Heart. I had a couple of rangers there telling me they couldnt help. 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 was like. Eat those facts, jack! We stick our necks out for them and they wont give us our benefit?? Its a contract. 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. That is for the licensed physician statement. It allows free entry to all National Parks and now Im wondering if it is the same and if the name changed. Has the percentage changed recently or is this typo? Anyone who doesnt want to pay the $10 processing fee, just go to a National Park or the Forrest Service Office near you its FREE there. In the above paragraph that reads: Im not inclined to write down my credit card info and ship through the mail. 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. It will either have to be a note from a physician or notice that you are receiving SSDI income. When onejoined the military a contract is sign. I got mine on a trip to Phoenix in Nov 2015. 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. Its worth its weight in gold as Ive traveled to hundreds of sites over the past decade or so. Because it had a retractable spring point! Unfortunately, No! The VA knows who the disabled veterans are, why not send very Disabled Veteran a pass as surprise gift. Cmon were all vets here and can follow instructions right? I do not collect ssdi but I have a 40% rating do I still qualify? Personally, I have a 100% rating but appreciate that this is for 10% and up. Attn: Access Pass I just purchase a year pass, is there any way to get the fee refunded and get this instead? There are no more participation trophies in a #MAGA America. To qualify, the person must have a diagnosed permanent disability. Those of us that served and didnt retire and didnt get hurt are treated like outcasts. I wouldnt apply for this pass online. You will be required to pay the applicableEntrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s). Lighten up!!! Dan , this is shameful that they would disregard their own rules . Youd be surprised. 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). A suite of annual and lifetime passes that provides U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to access Federal recreation lands. 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