Nowadays, every little bit helps.
With COVID-19 still impacting individuals and businesses across the United States, finances are tight for a lot of people—including many veterans. So, a 15% discount here, a 20% discount there, it definitely adds up when you're trying to rein in your spending and stick to your personal budget.
While most veterans know about popular VA benefit programs such as health care, disability, education and training, employment assistance, VA home loans, and life insurance, it's the everyday savings on essential products and services that often go unused.
For example, did you know warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's all offer discounts for veterans and active duty military members? That means you can save on everything from food and beverages to clothing, household items, and electronics.
Cell phone carriers like Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T also offer big savings for veterans and military families to help you stay connected, which is especially important these days as social distancing guidelines caution against unnecessary gatherings.
Need to get your car or truck serviced? Jiffy Lube service centers offer a 25% veteran discount every day of the year, which could amount to significant savings. And, at Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly Auto Parts, veterans and military families save 10% on most purchases.
Some other popular retailers that offer veteran and military discounts include Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Carhartt, Champs Sports, Columbia, Fanatics, Foot Locker and Lady Foot Locker, L.L. Bean, Orvis, Reebok, and Under Armour.
But guess what? Without your DD214, those benefits might be out of reach.
Your DD214, or Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, shows proof of your military service and honorable (or anything other than dishonorable) discharge. You should have received it on or shortly after your discharge day, but if you can't find it or if it's been lost or damaged, don't worry. You can easily order a copy online to ensure you're able to take advantage of important veteran discounts.
Keep in mind, however, that due to COVID-19 delays it may take a little longer than normal. Right now, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) is prioritizing what they consider emergency records requests: those associated with medical care, burials, homeless veterans, VA home loan guarantees, and employment opportunities.
Veteran-owned DD214Direct helps you get the documents you need, when you need them.
Our cutting-edge technology platform and keen knowledge of government protocol and procedure allow us to deliver your documents faster than you could get them on your own. First, we digitize both your request and the returned documents, using electronic signatures to avoid extra time with the postal service. We also integrate email and fax throughout our entire process, while many agencies do not.
To further expedite the process, our team ensures your initial request is filled out properly the first time and includes the necessary supporting documentation so that it doesn't bounce back. In addition, we break up multiple requests (DD214, OMPF, etc.) so that each piece is handled separately and one does not delay the other.
Once your request is processed, DD214Direct becomes your personal advocate, working directly with the agency that holds your records (currently there are about 75 independent agencies) and immediately responding to any agency issues on your behalf. In many cases, DD214Direct is able to advance your request to a higher-priority workflow. Finally, we have team members at many locations to drop off and pick up documents.
Much like paying a small fee to have your taxes done by a professional, DD214Direct provides the service and convenience you’ve been hoping for, plus we make it a lot easier. Once we locate your DD214, we can email you a copy immediately—a service not offered by the government. And tracking your request through us is simple, so you never have to worry about long hold times and inconclusive answers.
Ready to get started? Click here to begin the order process.
