Starting January 1, all veterans with VA service-connected disability ratings of up to 90%, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and primary veteran caregivers will be eligible to shop at commissaries and exchanges on base. Prior to the expansion, only veterans with 100% service-connected disability ratings were eligible for this benefit. Now, nearly 3 million additional people will be eligible shoppers, the largest expansion in 60 years. The shopping benefit also includes access to some morale, welfare, and recreation facilities, as well as other revenue-generating facilities, such as golf courses. Department of Defense officials are working on new technology that will allow eligible veterans to scan their health ID card at the front gate to gain access to commissaries and exchanges.