Commissary, Exchange and MWR Access for Disabled Veterans

Shopping at military commissaries and exchanges, and MWR retail, for every veteran with a VA service-connected rating, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs and primary family caregivers, since January 1, 2020.

Also called: commissary, exchange, PX, BX, MWR, base access, Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act.

For: Veteran or service member, caregiver.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 opened Defense Department and Coast Guard commissaries, exchanges and morale, welfare and recreation retail to more veterans from January 1, 2020. Eligible are veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating at any level, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and the primary family caregiver of a veteran in VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Veterans rated 100% and retirees already had these privileges. A veteran eligible only under the 2018 act shows a Veteran Health Identification Card at the installation gate and at the register; installation access follows a background check.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Commissary, Exchange and MWR Access for Disabled Veterans
Gate	Rule
Any service-connected rating	Any VA service-connected rating, including 0%; Purple Heart, former POW and caregiver paths need none.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed Your VHIC, or a letter from VA together with your passport or driver’s license
At checkout; there is no application.
Where to get it Once you are enrolled in VA health care, request it online or at your VA medical center’s enrollment office.
Listed by VA, Commissary and exchange privileges for Veterans read 2026-10-10

Sources

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.