Free Rides and Travel Pay for Veterans in Five States

Veterans Transportation in Vermont, Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Hampshire

Veterans in these five states have four main ways to reach VA and medical appointments: free DAV van rides to VA facilities, VA Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement at 41.5 cents per mile, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) through state brokers, and state-specific transit benefits such as Connecticut’s free bus pass program and Delaware’s DART services. Eligibility and scheduling rules differ for each option. Veterans can use more than one program over time but generally cannot be reimbursed for a trip another program already covered.

VA Beneficiary Travel Pay: What It Is and Who Qualifies

VA Beneficiary Travel is a VA program that reimburses eligible veterans and caregivers for mileage and other travel expenses to and from approved VA health care appointments. The current mileage rate is 41.5 cents ($0.415) per mile. The VA calculates mileage using Bing Maps based on the fastest and shortest route from your home to the closest VA or authorized non-VA facility that can provide the care you need. The VA pays round-trip mileage for scheduled appointments.

The program matters because travel costs are a real barrier to care, especially in rural states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and parts of Louisiana. A veteran who drives 100 miles round-trip to a VA appointment is reimbursed $41.50 before the deductible. Over a year of regular appointments, that adds up.

Eligibility for VA Travel Pay

A veteran may be eligible for VA travel pay if they meet at least one of these criteria:

• VA disability rating of 30% or higher.

• Traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, even if the rating is less than 30%.

• Receiving a VA pension, or income below the maximum annual VA pension rate.

• Unable to afford travel as defined by VA guidelines.

• Traveling for a scheduled C&P exam, to get a service dog, or for VA-approved transplant care.

Caregivers may also be eligible if they are a family caregiver under the National Caregiver Program, a medically required attendant, or a transplant donor or support person.

The Deductible

Before the VA pays reimbursement, the veteran pays a deductible: $3 one-way or $6 round-trip per appointment, capped at $18 per month. After $18 is paid within one month, the VA pays the full cost of approved travel for the rest of that month. The deductible can be waived in some cases.

What Expenses Are Covered

VA travel pay covers mileage, bridge, road, and tunnel tolls, parking, preapproved taxi and plane fares, preapproved public transportation tickets, VA-initiated or preapproved special mode transportation (ambulance, wheelchair van), and preapproved meals and lodging in limited circumstances.

How to File a Travel Claim

The fastest way to file is through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS). Veterans can file online, track claims, and receive payment by direct deposit. BTSSS is a self-adjudicating system: once the account is set up and information verified, a self-submitted claim can be paid within 3–5 days, regardless of paper backlog.

To file online, veterans need a Premium My HealtheVet account, an ID.me account, or a Level 2 DS Logon, plus a separate direct deposit setup for travel pay. Claims can also be filed on paper using VA Form 10-3542, but electronic filing is strongly encouraged because it is faster.

File within 30 days of the appointment. Claims filed after 30 days are usually denied, though a late claim can still be submitted and may be reviewed.

Common Mistakes With VA Travel Pay

• Missing the 30-day deadline. Late claims are usually denied.

• Not setting up direct deposit for travel pay. VA benefits direct deposit and travel pay direct deposit are separate.

• Filing a claim for a trip that DAV or Medicaid already covered. Veterans cannot be reimbursed for the same trip twice.

• Not keeping receipts. Meals, lodging, tolls, and parking require receipts.

• Assuming the VA pays the full mileage rate without the deductible. The $6 round-trip deductible applies until the $18 monthly cap is reached.

DAV Vans: Free Rides to VA Facilities

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Volunteer Transportation Network provides free van rides to and from VA medical facilities for veterans who do not have other transportation options. The vans are donated by DAV, driven by volunteers, and coordinated by Hospital Service Coordinators at VA medical centers. Nationwide, DAV volunteer drivers provide more than 230,000 rides each year and logged 9.6 million miles in 2025.

Who Qualifies for DAV Van Rides

DAV vans serve ambulatory veterans—passengers who can board, exit, and move around without the driver’s help. The service is intended for veterans with no other way to get to a scheduled VA medical appointment. DAV vans cannot transport veterans for disability compensation or pension exams. Veterans who use the DAV Transportation Network are not eligible to receive VA travel reimbursement for the same trip.

How to Schedule a DAV Ride

Contact the Hospital Service Coordinator who serves your county. DAV requires a minimum of three business days’ notice; requests with 24 hours or less notice cannot be guaranteed. The coordinator will confirm availability and pick-up details.

DAV Van Rules

• All riders must be ambulatory.

• The driver stops only for rest stops, emergencies, and passenger pick-up and drop-off. No side trips for personal business.

• No smoking, chewing tobacco, alcohol, foul language, weapons, or illegal substances.

• Seatbelts are required. Passengers who refuse are denied transportation.

• A caregiver may ride only with authorization from the veteran’s VA physician or VA-certified nurse practitioner.

• Items must fit on the lap or under the seat.

• The DAV van is not an emergency vehicle. Drivers may refuse to transport a veteran who appears too ill to ride.

Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

Medicaid NEMT provides free rides to Medicaid-covered medical appointments for people who have no other way to get there. Most states cover NEMT, and veterans enrolled in Medicaid can use it for non-VA appointments or Medicaid-covered care. NEMT is not a VA program and does not replace VA travel pay; it is a separate benefit administered by state Medicaid agencies or their brokers.

Veterans who are eligible for both VA care and Medicaid should compare the two options. VA travel pay reimburses mileage at 41.5 cents per mile after the deductible. Medicaid NEMT is typically a free ride with no mileage reimbursement. The right choice depends on the appointment, the distance, and whether the veteran wants to drive or be driven.

State-by-State Transportation Options

Each of the five states has a different mix of VA, DAV, Medicaid, and state-level transportation programs. The tables below summarize what is available and how to access it.

Vermont

Vermont veterans have five core transportation pathways: DAV vans to White River Junction VA Medical Center, the VetLiftVT volunteer driver program, VA Beneficiary Travel pay, Medicaid NEMT through the Vermont Public Transportation Association (VPTA), and local public transit.

• DAV vans: Free rides to White River Junction VA Medical Center for ambulatory veterans with no other transportation. Contact the DAV Coordinator at 866-687-8387 ext. 5394 or 817-730-0401. Each month, between 1,500 and 1,700 veterans receive DAV transportation in the White River Junction system, which covers Vermont and parts of New Hampshire.

• VetLiftVT: A volunteer driver program coordinated through Vermont’s regional transit providers for medical appointments and other essential destinations. Contact through local transit providers or Go! Vermont at 800-685-7433.

• VA travel pay: 41.5 cents per mile, $3 one-way / $6 round-trip deductible, capped at $18 per month.

• Medicaid NEMT: Free rides to Medicaid-covered appointments through the statewide VPTA broker network. Phone: 833-387-7200.

• Local transit: Fixed-route buses, dial-a-ride services, and disability-specific transportation such as the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (VABVI).

Louisiana

Louisiana veterans have DAV van service to New Orleans VA Medical Center and other VA clinics, VA travel pay, Medicaid NEMT, and a state toll exemption for disabled veterans.

• DAV vans: Free rides to New Orleans VA Medical Center for ambulatory veterans with no other transportation. Contact Hospital Service Coordinator Richard Terry Waite at 504-507-2112 ext. 62106. DAV vans transport veterans throughout Southeast Louisiana, and between 1,500 and 1,700 veterans receive DAV transportation each month.

• Veteran Transportation Service (VTS): Other veteran-specific transportation, including buses, shuttles, and wheelchair-accessible transport, is available through the VA Southeast Louisiana Healthcare System. Contact Kimberly T. Redmond at 504-507-5565.

• VA travel pay: Same national rate and eligibility rules.

• Medicaid NEMT: Louisiana Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for enrolled veterans. Contact the Louisiana Department of Health or the Medicaid managed care organization for the veteran’s region.

• State toll exemption: Disabled veterans qualify for free passage on the LA 1 expressway and the LA 23 Belle Chasse bridge, the state’s only two tolled facilities. The vehicle must be registered in the veteran’s or spouse’s name, and the exemption is granted against a GeauxPass account in good standing.

Delaware

Delaware veterans have DAV vans, Wilmington VA Medical Center shuttle service, DART statewide bus service, a volunteer transportation network, and VA travel pay.

• DAV vans: Free rides to Wilmington VA Medical Center for ambulatory veterans with no other transportation. Contact the hospital service coordinator for your county.

• Wilmington VAMC shuttle: Free shuttle service Monday through Friday, except holidays, with routes serving Cumberland County, Atlantic County, Kent County, Sussex County, and Philadelphia.

• DART bus service: Delaware Transit Corporation operates statewide bus service. DART offers free rides to veterans on Veterans Day for those displaying a Veteran ID card or DD-214.

• Volunteer Transportation Network: A courtesy transportation program for Delaware veterans. Reservations must be made two weeks before the appointment; trips depend on volunteer driver availability. Veterans travel to designated stops, and vans leave the Wilmington VAMC between noon and 1 p.m. for return trips. This is not an entitlement.

• DART paratransit: SEPTA ACCESS paratransit serves people with limited mobility in the region.

• VA travel pay: Same national rate and eligibility rules.

Connecticut

Connecticut veterans have DAV vans, a free bus pass program administered by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, VA travel pay, and Medicaid NEMT.

• DAV vans: Free rides to VA Connecticut Healthcare System facilities for ambulatory veterans with no other transportation. Contact the hospital service coordinator at the VA facility serving your county.

• Free bus pass: Connecticut Veterans Affairs provides bus passes at no cost to eligible veterans. Veterans apply online through the DVA forms portal. The pass is specific to the transit district(s) the veteran uses. Applicants must provide a VA Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), a Connecticut driver’s license with the Veteran indicator flag, or a Connecticut non-driver ID with the Veteran indicator flag. The pass is not transferable and must be shown with ID when riding.

• Veterans Day free ridership: State law exempts veterans from payment on state-owned or state-controlled bus public transportation on Veterans Day.

• VA travel pay: Same national rate and eligibility rules.

• Medicaid NEMT: Connecticut Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation through the state’s NEMT broker.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire veterans have DAV vans to VA Manchester Healthcare System facilities, VA travel pay, Medicaid NEMT, and local transit options.

• DAV vans: Free rides to VA Manchester Healthcare System facilities for ambulatory veterans with no other transportation. Contact Hospital Service Coordinator Stanley W. Pressler at 603-624-4366 ext. 206776. DAV vans transport veterans throughout New Hampshire and surrounding areas; between 1,500 and 1,700 veterans receive DAV transportation each month.

• VA travel pay: Same national rate and eligibility rules.

• Medicaid NEMT: New Hampshire Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for enrolled veterans.

• Local transit: Many localities provide other van services to veterans. The VA facility locator lists transportation services for each clinic and medical center.

Comparison: Transportation Options by State

How to Apply: Step by Step

Applying for veterans transportation is not a single application. Each program has its own process. The steps below cover the most common pathways.

For VA Travel Pay

1. Confirm eligibility. Check your VA disability rating, pension status, or the purpose of the appointment. If you are traveling to a C&P exam, you may qualify even without a 30% rating.

2. Set up direct deposit for travel pay. This is separate from VA benefits direct deposit. Log in to BTSSS and add your banking information.

3. Create a BTSSS profile. Use a Premium My HealtheVet account, ID.me, or Level 2 DS Logon to sign in.

4. File the claim within 30 days. Enter the appointment date, travel distance, and expenses. Attach receipts for tolls, parking, meals, or lodging if applicable.

5. Track the claim. BTSSS shows the status. Self-submitted claims with direct deposit can pay in 3–5 days.

6. File a new claim for each appointment. Travel pay is not automatic; you must file for each trip.

For DAV Van Rides

1. Confirm you have no other transportation. DAV vans are for veterans who cannot otherwise get to the appointment.

2. Call the Hospital Service Coordinator for your county. Find the coordinator through the VA medical center’s DAV page.

3. Provide at least three business days’ notice. Same-day or next-day requests cannot be guaranteed.

4. Confirm pick-up time and location. Be ready when the van arrives. Drivers cannot wait for veterans who are not ready.

5. Follow the van rules. No food, drink, smoking, or weapons. Seatbelts required. Caregivers need physician authorization.

For Medicaid NEMT

1. Confirm Medicaid enrollment. NEMT is a Medicaid benefit.

2. Contact the state NEMT broker or Medicaid managed care plan. In Vermont, call VPTA at 833-387-7200. In other states, contact the Medicaid office or the managed care organization.

3. Schedule the ride in advance. Most brokers require at least 2–3 business days’ notice.

4. Provide the appointment details. The broker will confirm eligibility and arrange the ride.

For State Bus Passes (Connecticut)

1. Confirm eligibility. You need a VHIC or a Connecticut DMV ID with the Veteran indicator flag.

2. Apply online. Use the DVA forms portal for the Veteran Request for Bus Pass.

3. Receive confirmation and pass ID. The confirmation email contains a unique Veteran Pass ID that can be reused for future requests.

4. Show the pass and ID when riding. The pass is specific to the transit district and is not transferable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming VA travel pay is automatic. It is not. You must file a claim for each appointment within 30 days.

• Using DAV and then filing for travel pay for the same trip. Veterans who use DAV vans are not eligible for reimbursement for that trip.

• Missing the 30-day filing window. Late claims are usually denied.

• Not setting up travel pay direct deposit. VA benefits direct deposit does not cover travel pay.

• Requesting a DAV ride with less than three business days’ notice. The ride may not be available.

• Assuming a spouse can ride the DAV van without authorization. A caregiver needs physician authorization.

• Not bringing ID for Connecticut bus passes. The pass must be shown with a VHIC or Connecticut DMV veteran ID.

Common Questions

Is VA travel pay automatic?

No. Eligible veterans must file a claim for each appointment, usually within 30 days. The fastest method is the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) online. Self-submitted claims with direct deposit can be paid within 3–5 days. Paper claims take longer.

How much does VA pay per mile in 2026?

The VA pays 41.5 cents ($0.415) per mile for approved health-related travel. The VA calculates mileage using Bing Maps based on the fastest and shortest route. A $6 round-trip deductible applies per appointment, capped at $18 per month.

Who qualifies for VA travel pay?

Veterans qualify if they have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher, are traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, receive a VA pension, have income below the maximum annual VA pension rate, cannot afford travel, or are traveling for a scheduled C&P exam, service dog, or transplant care.

Are DAV van rides free?

Yes. DAV vans are free for ambulatory veterans who have no other transportation to a scheduled VA medical appointment. The vans are driven by volunteers and coordinated by Hospital Service Coordinators. Rides must be scheduled at least three business days in advance.

Can I use a DAV van and still get VA travel pay?

No. Veterans who use the DAV Transportation Network are not eligible to receive VA travel reimbursement for the same trip. You must choose one or the other.

What is Medicaid NEMT?

Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) provides free rides to Medicaid-covered medical appointments for people who have no other way to get there. It is administered by state Medicaid agencies or their brokers. Veterans enrolled in Medicaid can use NEMT for Medicaid-covered appointments.

Does Connecticut really offer free bus passes for veterans?

Yes. The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs provides bus passes at no cost to eligible veterans. Veterans apply online and must provide a VHIC or a Connecticut DMV ID with the Veteran indicator flag. The pass is specific to the transit district and is not transferable.

What is Delaware’s Volunteer Transportation Network?

The Delaware Volunteer Transportation Network provides courtesy transportation to Delaware veterans to medical facilities in the region. Reservations must be made two weeks before the appointment, and trips depend on volunteer driver availability. It is not an entitlement, and veterans must travel to designated stops.

How far in advance do I need to schedule a DAV ride?

DAV requires a minimum of three business days’ notice to add a veteran to the schedule. Requests with 24 hours or less notice cannot be guaranteed. Veterans should call the Hospital Service Coordinator as early as possible.

What if I use a wheelchair or need special assistance?

DAV vans can only transport ambulatory passengers who can board and exit without the driver’s help. Veterans who need wheelchair-accessible transportation should ask the VA facility about other veteran shuttle services, special mode transportation, or Medicaid NEMT accessible vehicles.

Can I get reimbursed for tolls and parking?

Yes. VA travel pay covers bridge, road, and tunnel tolls, parking, and preapproved taxi, plane, and public transportation fares. Keep receipts. Meals and lodging may be reimbursed only with preapproval and receipts.

What happens if I miss the 30-day travel claim deadline?

Claims filed after 30 days are usually denied. You can still submit a late claim, but approval is not guaranteed. File as soon as possible after the appointment.

Key Takeaways

• Veterans in Vermont, Louisiana, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Hampshire have four main transportation options: DAV vans, VA travel pay, Medicaid NEMT, and state-specific transit programs.

• VA travel pay reimburses 41.5 cents per mile, minus a $6 round-trip deductible, capped at $18 per month.

• VA travel pay is not automatic. File a claim within 30 days through BTSSS for each appointment.

• DAV vans provide free rides to VA facilities for ambulatory veterans with no other transportation. Schedule at least three business days in advance.

• Veterans who use DAV vans cannot also claim VA travel pay for the same trip.

• Medicaid NEMT provides free rides to Medicaid-covered appointments through state brokers.

• Connecticut offers free bus passes to veterans through the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Delaware offers DART bus service, a Wilmington VAMC shuttle, and a Volunteer Transportation Network.

• Vermont’s Medicaid NEMT broker is the Vermont Public Transportation Association (VPTA) at 833-387-7200.

• Louisiana offers a toll exemption for disabled veterans on the LA 1 expressway and LA 23 Belle Chasse bridge.

Official Resources

• VA.gov — Reimbursed VA travel expenses and mileage rate: va.gov/resources/reimbursed-va-travel-expenses-and-mileage-rate

• VA.gov — File and manage travel reimbursement claims (BTSSS): va.gov/health-care/file-travel-pay-reimbursement

• VA.gov — Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS): dvagov-btsss.dynamics365portals.us

• VA Form 10-3542 — Claim for Beneficiary Travel: va.gov/forms/10-3542

• DAV Volunteer Transportation Network: dav.org; avs@dav.org; 877-426-2838

• Vermont DAV Coordinator (White River Junction): 817-730-0401

• Vermont Public Transportation Association (VPTA) Medicaid NEMT: 833-387-7200

• Louisiana DAV Coordinator (New Orleans): 504-507-2112 ext. 62106

• Delaware DAV and Volunteer Transportation Network: vets.delaware.gov

• Connecticut Veterans Bus Pass Program: portal.ct.gov/dva

• New Hampshire DAV Coordinator (Manchester): 603-624-4366 ext. 206776

• USA.gov: usa.gov