Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester, Henrietta, Chili) announced that military veterans can now apply for a special designation on their New York State driver’s license as opposed to carrying separate documentation in order to prove military service. Many local businesses in the Rochester area currently provide discounts to veterans. This new option, at no additional charge, makes it more convenient for veterans to prove their veteran status to a business without having to carry multiple forms of identification.

“Currently, many veterans carry around military forms in order to prove they are veterans,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “Now our retired military personnel can have a designation on their license and leave the paperwork at home. It is important that the government works for our returning heroes, and this bill is a good way to make their lives a little bit easier.”

According to the NYS DMV website, veterans must provide proof of an honorable discharge, either by mail or in person at a DMV office. Acceptable proofs are:

• U.S. Department of Defense Form DD-214 that indicates an honorable discharge, or
• Form DD-215 that indicates an honorable discharge, or
• Honorable Discharge form WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD or NAVCG 553, or
• "Enlisted Separation Paper"

Many local merchants, from home repair to restaurants to health services, offer discounts to veterans and their families, Assemblymember Bronson noted.

This year’s budget established a tax credit for businesses that hire veterans, and there is a constitutional amendment on this year’s ballot, that would grant additional civil service credit to veterans who are certified as disabled after they have been appointed or promoted to a civil service position, Assemblymember Bronson noted.

Questions or concerns regarding obtaining benefits, government forms and applications, or help replacing lost veterans’ medals and awards can be directed to Assemblymember Bronson’s office at 585-5255 or by email at bronsonh@assembly.state.ny.us.