First responder discounts are some of the most generous group savings out there, but they hide behind a verification step and a fuzzy definition of who counts. This guide lists the stores with real first responder discounts in 2026, the exact percentages, and exactly who qualifies, because the line between “first responder” and “healthcare” trips people up constantly.
You will see who gives 20%, the year-round programs at Home Depot and Lowe’s, and the one verification account that unlocks most of them. Figures are current as of July 2026.
What’s covered
First responders run toward the emergency, and a surprising number of retailers say thank you with a real discount, often 10% to 20% year-round. The stores with first responder discounts are not always loud about it, and eligibility is narrower than people assume. Get the definition and the verification right, and you unlock savings that follow you across hundreds of brands. Here is the verified 2026 picture.
Cut to the chase: Many US retailers offer first responder discounts in 2026, typically 10% to 20% off. Under Armour and Rothy’s give 20%, Home Depot and Lowe’s give 10% year-round, and On gives 15%. Eligibility usually covers firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, police, and 911 dispatchers. Most unlock by verifying once through GovX or ID.me.
Who qualifies as a first responder
This is where people get stuck. For most discount programs, first responders are firefighters (career and volunteer), EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement officers, and 911 dispatchers. Those are the credentials verification networks check.
Nurses and physicians are usually a separate category. They often get their own healthcare discount rather than the first responder one, unless a specific program lists them. So if you are a nurse, do not assume the first responder rate applies, and check whether the brand has a dedicated healthcare offer instead.
First responder discounts by store
Checked in July 2026. Percentages are the standing discount unless noted.
| Brand | Discount | Verify with | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under Armour | 20% | ID.me | All purchases |
| Rothy’s | 20% | ID.me | One pair per year |
| On | 15% | ID.me | Single-use code, On.com or app |
| Tuft & Needle | 15% | ID.me | Mattresses, year-round |
| Home Depot | 10% (up to $500 max) | In-store / online | All US locations, year-round |
| Lowe’s | 10% | Lowe’s verification | In-store and online |
| Ugg | 10% | ID.me | Full-price styles, year-round |
| GovX (tech) | Up to 65% | GovX ID | Electronics and gear |
For the footwear pick, our full breakdown of the On Cloud first responder discount covers the order cap and exclusions. Check the coupon archive too, since a public code occasionally beats the responder rate.
Verify once with GovX or ID.me
The time-saver is the same as every group discount: verify once, save everywhere. GovX ID is trusted by more than 12 million members and thousands of brands, and it doubles as a storefront with discounts up to 65% on tech and gear. ID.me works across an even wider set of retailers. SheerID and VerifyPass cover the rest.
Create one account, confirm your role once with your credentials, and your verified badge carries to every partner brand. For someone who shops a few of these stores a year, that one setup is the difference between claiming two discounts and claiming a dozen.
Who gives the biggest discount
For everyday gear and apparel, Under Armour and Rothy’s lead at 20%, though Rothy’s caps you at one pair a year. For tech, nothing on this list touches GovX, which runs up to 65% off select electronics and gear for verified first responders. For home improvement, Home Depot and Lowe’s both sit at 10%, with Home Depot capping the benefit at $500 in savings.
The pattern: specialty and apparel brands give the deepest percentages, big-box retailers cap at 10%, and the verified storefronts like GovX hide the steepest tech deals.
The nurses and doctors question
Trust comes from precision, so here is the honest detail other lists blur. Registered nurses, LPNs, and advanced practice nurses are often eligible for healthcare or medical discounts, but not always the first responder rate. Some programs, like Lowe’s, do extend their offer to eligible active nurses and physicians. Others keep them strictly separate.
If you work in healthcare, verify under the medical or healthcare category first, then check whether the first responder rate is also open to you. Picking the wrong category is the most common reason a discount silently fails to apply.
What most first responder lists miss
We track these programs closely, and the biggest miss elsewhere is lumping every public servant together. Military, first responders, nurses, and teachers are distinct categories with distinct rates, and a list that blurs them sends people to the wrong verification path. The second miss is ignoring the caps, like Home Depot’s $500 ceiling or Rothy’s one-pair-a-year limit, which change whether a discount is worth building a big order around.
Sort by your actual role, verify once with GovX or ID.me, and read the cap before you fill your cart. Service members can compare rates on our stores that offer military discounts list, and live deals are tracked here as they post.
What people ask
Who qualifies for a first responder discount?
Most programs cover firefighters (career and volunteer), EMTs, paramedics, police and law enforcement officers, and 911 dispatchers. Nurses and physicians are usually a separate healthcare category, though some brands like Lowe’s include eligible active nurses and physicians. Verify your specific role through GovX or ID.me.
What store gives the biggest first responder discount?
For apparel, Under Armour and Rothy’s give 20%, though Rothy’s limits you to one pair a year. For technology, GovX offers up to 65% off select electronics and gear. Home improvement chains Home Depot and Lowe’s both give 10%, with Home Depot capping the savings at $500.
How do I verify as a first responder for discounts?
Create a free account with GovX or ID.me and confirm your role once using your credentials. GovX ID is used by more than 12 million members. After verifying, your status carries across partner retailers, so you do not re-prove eligibility at each store. SheerID and VerifyPass cover additional brands.
Do nurses get first responder discounts?
Sometimes, but often under a separate healthcare category rather than the first responder one. A few programs, such as Lowe’s, extend their offer to eligible active nurses and physicians. If you work in healthcare, verify under the medical category first, then check whether the first responder rate is also available to you.
Are first responder discounts available year-round?
Many are. Home Depot, Lowe’s, On, Ugg, and Tuft & Needle run year-round first responder pricing rather than one-day events. Some brands limit frequency, like On’s twice-monthly single-use code or Rothy’s one pair per year. Always check the terms, since caps and limits vary by retailer.
Verify once, save at hundreds of brands
Your GovX or ID.me badge unlocks first responder pricing across the stores above and many more. We track which give the deepest cut.
FatSaver may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you. Every code and deal on this page is independently verified by our team. Eligibility criteria sourced from ID.me.
