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By Marguerite Cleveland
The Department of Defense (DoD) recently extended the use of expired Uniformed Services ID Cards (USID) until June 30, 2021. USIDs are the identification cards used by family members and retirees. This extension only applies to USIDs and not expired Common Access Cards (CAC) used by active duty and civilians working on an installation or Volunteer Logical Access Credentials (VoLAC) which will now expire on September 30, 2020.
The original extension was issued in April 2020 and designed to help maintain operations at DoD ID card offices and to minimize the number of non-essential required visits to an office. The process was changed to temporarily extend the expiration dates on the cards during the COVID-19 pandemic so that less people were visiting ID card offices. Those with an expired USID can continue to use it to access their military benefits including health care, access to the installation, and Commissary privileges.
Those with expired CAC or VoLAC cards will need to visit an ID card office to replace their expired cards. Check your local installation for hours, COVID-19 requirements and whether you will need to make an appointment.
The DoD can remotely issue first time USIDs for family members and retirees. Lost or stolen cards can also be issued remotely. These ID cards are issued with an expiration date not to exceed one year from the date it is issued. The minimum age for initial USIDs for family members changed in April 2020 from age 10 to age 14.
Mobilized reservists and their eligible dependents will continue to use the reserve-component USIDs to obtain authorized active duty benefits.
Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse. Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com
June 20 or June 30? One date in the title, one in the article.
Also, what was the date of the original extension? I can’t find that in the article?
June 30 is the correct date.
How long can Ids be expired to be allowed ?
Somewhat confused. Why don’t you promulgate what the correct ID card form. for instance, the card I currently hold is DD FORM 2 (Retired). I got this one in 2012, when I turned 65. Your article is vague and lacks the appropriate information. Something I’d expect from an officer (regardless of service), putting out a requirement with insufficient data.
This is the correct term: Uniformed Services ID Cards (USID). This is the term used in the official press release from the Department of Defense. The DD FORM 2 (Retired) is a type of Uniformed Services ID Card. Reading your comment, I am assuming you are confused as to whether your ID Card falls under this extension. If your ID Card expires on or after January 1, 2020, your benefits are secure until June 30, 2021. Thank you for your comment and I hope the response clarifies the article.