Consumer support and offer redemption
If a consumer experiences issues verifying their military status, direct them to the SheerID Verification Help Center for assistance or customer support routing. If a verified consumer encounters issues applying a discount or redeeming an offer, your customer support team must assist them directly.
Audience overview
SheerID military verification allows you to offer exclusive promotions to active duty military members, reservists, veterans, retirees, and military family members. Verification capabilities are available in the US, Canada, and the UK.
Military sub-segments
Supported sub-segments and eligibility requirements vary by country. Review the supported consumer audiences guide to confirm availability in your target regions.
Best Practice: Be inclusive
Including all available military affiliations maximizes offer reach and reduces consumer support requests, but it depends on your business needs and product positioning.
Active duty
This segment includes full-time military personnel, consisting of officers and non-commissioned members in continuing active service.
Reservists
This segment covers part-time military personnel, including officers and non-commissioned members enrolled for service other than continuing full-time active duty.
Veterans
This segment includes former members of the armed forces who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Military retirees
Retiree eligibility criteria depends on the country:
- US: Veterans with 20 or more years of service, or veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher
- Canada: Veterans with 10 or more years of service, or veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher
- UK: Retiree status is not available as a standalone category for UK military programs. Retirees are eligible under the Veteran sub-segment
Military family members (US only)
This segment covers spouses and dependent children living in the same household as the military service member (sponsor). Family members must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Veteran dependents are not eligible because they do not receive the documentation required for verification.
Dependent children must be under 21 years old. A child aged 21 or older remains eligible if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Aged 21 or 22 and enrolled in a full-time course of higher learning
- Aged 21 or older and incapable of self-support due to a mental or physical incapacity that existed before their 21st birthday
- Aged 21 or 22 and enrolled full-time in an accredited higher education institution when a mental or physical condition made them incapable of self-support
Gold Star family members (US only)
This segment includes family members of a service member who died during US active service. Eligible family members hold a Gold Star ID entitling them to specific benefits and community recognition.
Branch coverage and eligibility rules
Armed service branches are eligible by default
- US military coverage includes: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force
- Canadian military coverage includes: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Navy
- UK military coverage includes: British Army, Royal Air Force (RAF), and Royal Navy
Uniformed services and contractors
Civilian contractors are excluded from military programs without exception.
Personnel in the US Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are excluded by default. However, you can request account configuration to include USPHS and NOAA personnel who belong to the Uniformed Services if you would like to expand your offer eligibility.
Discharge status
SheerID instant data sources do not differentiate based on discharge status. An honorably discharged veteran receives the same instant verification result as an individual with a general or dishonorable discharge.
You can learn more about supporting a military audience in the Center of Excellence.