Veterans Ride Free to Appointments During COVID-19

The Florida Veterans Foundation today announced its partnership with Uber to create the ‘Veterans Ride Program’ for Florida Veterans who may have limited transportation options when trying to keep essential medical appointments during coronavirus. The program will be overseen by the Foundation who has partnered with The VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) which includes all VA facilities around the state of Florida. “This is a profound gesture on the part of Uber to recognize the importance of helping transportation disadvantaged Veterans getting to and from their appointments especially during these difficult times,” said Lew Wilson, President, Florida Veterans Foundation. Visit www.HelpFLVets.org for a map of participating Florida VA facilities only.

Veterans interested in participating in the program can contact their local VA facility in Florida to receive an Uber code. Each trip is limited to a $25 value and the supply of free rides is limited to the first one thousand trips. The free ride codes will be issued to Veterans on a case by case basis by each local VA facility after a brief evaluation. “We’re proud to partner with the Florida Veterans Foundation to ensure Veterans in need are able to move around safely throughout the state. This service will provide Florida Veterans in need critical access to safe transportation amid the COVID-19 public health crisis,” said Stephanie Smith, Senior Public Policy Manager, Uber.

For Veterans who do not have an Uber app, they may dial 1-833-USE-UBER, where the rider will be paired with a live team member that confirms the trip request, provides an upfront price quote (which would be free up to $25 using the free code), and uses the same marketplace technology powering the Uber app to help find a ride. To use this feature, one will need an SMS or text-based mobile phone to receive important messages about the ETA, the driver’s license plate details, and the driver’s name. Riders continue to receive messages before and during the trip, and once it concludes, will receive a trip receipt. There is no extra charge for using this service, though carrier message and data rates may apply.

How The Free Ride Program Works

Your local VA facility will issue a free ride code to qualified Veterans

Step 1

Call Your local participating VA facility to receive a free ride code for qualified Veterans.

See map for VA locations. (Florida locations only)

Step 2

Call 1-833-USE-UBER
(833-873-8237) (7am-9pm)
from a cell phone that can receive
text messages.

Step 3

Uber team agent will help you sign up & request a ride (5 Min)

Must have a debit or credit card, we cannot accept prepaid cards Email is encouraged, but not required

For more information, click here.

Step 4

Give the agent your free ride code number

Step 5

Call back 5-15 minutes before you want to be picked up

Step 6

Uber will send you trip details to your phone. Receive a text message about drivers name, car type, license plate #, estimated arrival time

Step 7

Uber will send your phone notice when the driver arrives

Special Notes

Before 7am & after 9pm, download UBER app to sign up & request a ride
Each one way ride credit is valued up to $25.00
Any costs over $25 are the responsibility of the passenger

Once the ride is done, the code is no longer valid
Ride codes are distributed by participating FL VA Facilities only (VA facility map at HelpFLVets.org)
All personal information is kept safe and secure

Drivers receive an annual background check
Drivers appreciation gratuity not included
All free ride codes expire on June 30, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are the ride codes good for a round trip?

No. Each code credit is good for one way only and valued up to $25.00. If a ride is less than $25, it won’t “roll over” to a future ride.

What if the cost of my ride is valued over $25.00?

Any costs over the credit will be the responsibility of the passenger.

How will I know the total cost of the requested ride?

When you request a ride, the Uber agent will ask you for drop off address and can tell you at that time.

What if I do not have a cell phone?

You can use a friends as long as it is with you at the time of arrival.

Where do I get the free ride code?

Local Florida VA Facilities.

How does a veteran qualify for the free ride code?

All veteran requests are evaluated on a case by case basis.

About Florida Veterans Foundation

The Florida Veterans Foundation was established by the legislature in 2008 as a Direct Support Organization for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Tax deductible contributions help to fulfill its mission which provides a variety of emergency assistance programs and services to Florida’s Veterans and their families. For more information visit http://www.helpflvets.org/.

About Uber

Uber started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 10 billion trips later, Uber is building tools to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens the world to new possibilities. Stephanie Smith, Senior Public Policy Manager, UBER