National home improvement retailer Lowe's has expanded its everyday military discount program to include all honorably discharged veterans, as of May.



The chain also has expanded the 10 percent discount to Lowe's online shopping, which will include free parcel shipping. It will provide for faster checkout and add the ability to use the discount at self-checkout in stores, said Lowe's spokeswoman Karen Cobb.





But the procedure for getting the discount has changed: Active-duty service members, retirees and veterans must must sign up online for the Lowe's personal shopping card to qualify for the discount. This is not a credit card.





Spouses and dependent children up to age 18 can also get the discount, although the online signup process doesn't include an option for "spouses" or "children."





"The discount is linked to a MyLowes account, which can be shared by a household," said Megan Lewis, a Lowe’s spokeswoman. "Once the service member signs up for the discount program, it will be linked to a MyLowes card that can also be used by their spouse."

Lowe's has offered discounts to military members and veterans for more than a decade. Previously, the 10 percent discount at Lowe's was available every day to active-duty service members, retired military and other veterans receiving VA benefits who showed their identification. For other honorably discharged veterans, the discount was limited to three days – Memorial Day, July 4 and Veterans Day.





"The verification process is designed to be a simplified one-time signup," Lewis said. "Military and veteran customers can simply present their MyLowes card at checkout rather than show military credentials each time."





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Lowe's is phasing out the practice of presenting the ID at checkout, Cobb said.



The website notes that Lowe's used a third party to verify eligibility for online enrollment, and may require additional documentation.



In announcing the change, Robert A. Niblock, the chain's chairman, president and CEO, pointed to the business's founder, Army veteran Carl Buchan.





"Enhancing our discount program honors his memory and the commitment servicemen and women and their families make to our country," Niblock said.



Staff writer Karen Jowers writes about military families, quality of life and consumer issues. She can be reached at kjowers@militarytimes.com.