Veterans Service office staff ready to help with transition to more secure log-in for VA

Changes to improve security and privacy of online records are resulting in headaches for local veterans, but fortunately the Taylor County Veterans Service office can help.

In 2025, the VA is moving to two secure sign-in options: Login.gov and ID.me. Currently veterans have a password and have to answer security questions to access their information. According to Taylor County Veterans Service Officer Sheila Sutton, the change is intended to make the system more secure and safeguard the service records, financial and health data that is accessed online through the VA.

According to Sutton, there have been an increasing number of people improperly accessing the private information of veterans. She noted one example where the soon-to-be ex of a veteran logged in as their significant other and changed the bank accounts where direct deposits for benefit checks were going.

In other situations, there is the possibility of access to sensitive medical information or accessing duplicates of vital records which would assist wrongdoers in identity theft.

Identity theft and related medical identity theft are serious issues that can cause severe financial hardship and disruption in medical care for veterans and their families. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of identity theft.

That same year, veterans and military retirees also reported to the FTC $350 million in losses to fraud.

Senior citizens are routinely the targets of scammers and crooks, this is sadly true even in the veteran community.

To combat these, the VA is requiring veterans to set up Login.gov and ID.me secure accounts. After January 31,2025, veterans won’t be able to sign in to VA websites and apps with a MyHealtheVet user ID and password.

After September 30, 2025, veterans won’t be able to sign in with a DS Logon username and password.

In addition the changes will help the VA meet the latest federal standards for modern account security.

The VA is required by federal policy to help all veterans begin using a sign-in account that meets modern security standards. The VA is also required to simplify the sign-in experience for veterans. Login.gov and ID.me help them meet both these requirements.

To set this up, veterans will need to use a unique email address and add multifactor authentication (MFA) as an added layer of protection for your account.

While veterans can do this on their own, Sutton said the process can be frustrating for some and suggested that people contact the Taylor County Veteran Service Office for help. Sutton said that both she and benefit specialist Karyn Gebert are able to walk veterans through setting up the new security steps.

Sutton said that when coming in to set up the access, veterans should bring with them the following items:

• Mobile phone or tablet;

• Their ID;

• A unique personal email address that only they use (if they do not have an email account the veterans service office staff can help set them up an email);

• Their social security number;

• Any other ID documents.

The goal of the change is to move to a more modern online sign-in experience — to simplify options and continue to protect veteran’s identity and benefits.

Sutton reminds area veterans and their families that the Veterans Resource Center room is located on the main floor of the Taylor County Courthouse, across the hall from the Veterans Service Office. The space is available for veterans to access online resources with the capabilities of veterans to have telehealth visits with veterans care providers utilizing the high speed, secure internet at the courthouse.

Sutton noted that both she and Gebert are available in the Veterans Service Office to answer any questions or provided assistance if needed.