Travel

VA Travel Benefits: Reimbursement, Transportation, and Support

VA travel pay reimbursement pays eligible Veterans and caregivers back for mileage and other authorized travel expenses to and from approved health care appointments. You must file your claim within 30 days of your appointment. To get paid the fastest, use the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) online or the VA Health and Benefits App, combined with direct deposit. If you need a ride rather than reimbursement, the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) can help arrange transportation to your appointments at no cost.

Quick Facts

Who Is Eligible for VA Travel Reimbursement?

VA offers two types of travel benefits: general health care travel and special mode transportation. You may be eligible for one or both if you meet certain criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify for VA travel reimbursement if you meet any of the following conditions:

• Have a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more

• Are traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition

• Receive a VA pension, or your income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate

• Are traveling for a scheduled VA compensation or pension exam

• Have vision impairment, spinal cord injury or disorder, double or multiple amputations, or are enrolled in VA rehabilitation programs

• Have a medical condition that prevents you from using regular transportation (for special mode transportation)

Caregiver Eligibility

Caregivers are also eligible for travel benefits when traveling with a Veteran who qualifies for the Beneficiary Travel Program. This includes family caregivers under the National Caregiver Program traveling to receive caregiving training or support the Veteran’s care.

What Does VA Travel Reimbursement Cover?

Mileage Reimbursement

If you drive your personal vehicle to a VA-approved appointment, VA reimburses you at a rate of $0.415 per mile.

Other Travel Expenses

With pre-authorization, VA may reimburse for:

• Public transportation: Bus, taxi, rideshare, train, or light rail

• Airline and train travel: Under specific conditions

• Parking and tolls: With receipts

• Meals and lodging: Up to 50% of the government employee rate

Deductible Information

Travel reimbursement is subject to a $6 deductible per round-trip**, up to a maximum of **$18 per month. This means your reimbursement is reduced by $6 for each eligible round-trip appointment.

Special Mode Transportation (SMT)

If you have a medical condition that prevents you from using regular transportation, you may qualify for Special Mode Transportation such as:

• Wheelchair van

• Gurney van

• Ambulance (ALS or BLS)

• Stretcher service

To arrange SMT, talk to your VA primary care provider. Documentation of medical necessity is required and the service must be pre-approved.

How to File a VA Travel Claim

The Fastest Way: Online Filing

The VA strongly encourages Veterans to file claims electronically. Using the online system combined with direct deposit is the fastest way to get paid.

Two online options:

1. VA Health and Benefits App: File claims directly from your smartphone

2. VA.gov: Sign in and access claims through the My HealtheVet tab under past appointments

Using the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS)

BTSSS is VA’s preferred method for travel reimbursement claims. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Benefits of BTSSS:

Getting Started with BTSSS

Follow these steps to set up your BTSSS account:

1. Sign up or update your direct deposit information with VA

2. Create a secure account: Use ID.me, Login.gov, My HealtheVet, or a Level 2 DS Logon account

3. Log in to BTSSS: Visit access.va.gov and select “Veteran Travel Claim Entry”

4. Create your profile: Add your direct deposit account information

Paper Filing Option

If you can’t file online, you can still submit VA Form 10-3542.

Important: Paper claims take significantly longer because Beneficiary Travel teams must manually enter them into the system. This creates backlogs and delays payments for everyone.

Text-to-Check-In Option

You can start the claim process by texting “Check In” to 53079 when you arrive for your appointment. This can help streamline your claim submission.

Transportation Services for Veterans Who Need a Ride

If you can’t provide your own transportation, VA offers direct ride services through the Veterans Transportation Program (VTP).

Veterans Transportation Service (VTS)

The VTS network assists Veterans who are visually impaired, elderly, immobilized due to disability, or living in remote or rural areas.

Eligibility: Veterans eligible for VA health care benefits with a VA-authorized appointment are automatically eligible for VTS, subject to local facility availability.

How to schedule a ride: Contact your local VA medical center’s transportation office. Many locations now offer a self-service portal called VetRide where you can schedule rides online and track your driver’s location.

VA Shuttle Services

Many VA medical centers provide free shuttle transportation between clinics and VA facilities. For example, the San Francisco VA Health Care System provides shuttle service between Eureka, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, Oakland, and their main campus.

Important: Shuttle reservations typically must be made at least 72 hours in advance and require a scheduled appointment.

Highly Rural Transportation Grants (HRTG)

For Veterans in highly rural areas (counties with fewer than 7 people per square mile), VA provides grants to Veterans Service Organizations and State Veterans Agencies to offer free transportation to VA appointments.

These grants help Veterans in the most remote parts of the country access the care they need at no cost.

Rideshare Programs

Some VA facilities participate in rideshare programs like VHA-Uber Health Connect, which facilitates transportation through rideshare services. Veterans are not required to download the rideshare apps to participate. Check with your local VA facility to see if this service is available.

What If You Are in Crisis or Need Emergency Transportation?

In community emergency situations, VA may retroactively reimburse the cost of ground and air ambulance services, with payments made directly to the service provider.

If you need emergency transportation, seek immediate care. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1) for crisis support.

Contact Information and Help Resources

VA Beneficiary Travel Help Line

• Toll-Free: 855-574-7292

• Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

Local VA Facility Contact

• Each VA medical center has a Beneficiary Travel Department

• Check your local VA facility website for specific contact information and office hours

Common Questions

1. What is the VA travel reimbursement rate?

The current mileage reimbursement rate is $0.415 per mile. This rate may change periodically. Check the VA Beneficiary Travel website for the most current rate.

2. How long do I have to file a travel reimbursement claim?

You must submit your claim within 30 days of your VA-authorized appointment. Claims filed after the deadline may be denied.

3. What is the deductible for VA travel reimbursement?

There is a $6 deductible per round-trip, up to a maximum of $18 per month. For example, if your mileage reimbursement would be $20, you would receive $14 after the deductible.

4. Can I get reimbursed for meals and lodging?

Yes, with prior approval from the Medical Facility’s Veterans Transportation Program, you may receive reimbursement for meals and lodging at 50% of the General Services Administration employee rate.

5. What is the fastest way to get VA travel pay?

Using the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) online with direct deposit is the fastest way to get paid—typically within 3-5 business days. Paper claims can take weeks or longer.

6. Are caregivers eligible for VA travel reimbursement?

Yes. Caregivers are eligible for travel benefits when traveling with a Veteran who qualifies for the Beneficiary Travel Program.

7. How do I access BTSSS?

Visit access.va.gov and select “Veteran Travel Claim Entry.” You can log in using ID.me, Login.gov, My HealtheVet, or a Level 2 DS Logon account.

8. Can I file a travel claim on my phone?

Yes. You can use the VA Health and Benefits App to file claims, or you can use BTSSS from your mobile device’s web browser. You can also text “Check In” to 53079 when you arrive for your appointment.

9. What if I can’t drive myself to my appointment?

If you can’t provide your own transportation, contact your local VA medical center’s Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) office. They can help arrange rides through shuttles, volunteer drivers, or rideshare programs.

10. Does VA provide transportation for Veterans in rural areas?

Yes. The Highly Rural Transportation Grants program provides funding to Veterans Service Organizations and State Veterans Agencies to offer free transportation to Veterans in counties with fewer than 7 people per square mile.

11. Can I be reimbursed for a taxi or rideshare?

Yes. Common carrier transportation such as bus, taxi, rideshare, train, or airline may be reimbursed if pre-authorized by the Veterans Transportation Program. Contact your local VA facility for approval before your trip.

12. What happens if I need an ambulance to get to my appointment?

Special Mode Transportation, including ambulance services, can be authorized with documentation of medical necessity from a VA provider. Contact your VA primary care provider to arrange this service.

13. What information do I need to file a travel claim?

You’ll need your VA appointment confirmation, the appointment date, and the address of the appointment location. For mileage claims, the system may calculate the distance based on your home address.

14. Can I still file a claim on paper?

Yes. You can use VA Form 10-3542. However, paper claims take significantly longer to process and are strongly discouraged. Electronic filing is the fastest and most reliable method.

Key Takeaways

• VA travel reimbursement covers eligible Veterans and caregivers for mileage ($0.415/mile) and other travel expenses to and from approved health care appointments.

• You must file your claim within 30 days of your appointment to receive reimbursement.

• The fastest way to get paid is to use the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) online with direct deposit—typically within 3-5 days.

• If you need a ride rather than reimbursement, the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) provides free transportation to VA appointments for eligible Veterans.

• Special Mode Transportation, such as wheelchair vans and ambulances, is available for Veterans who cannot use regular transportation—but it must be pre-approved by a VA provider.

• The Highly Rural Transportation Grants help Veterans in remote areas access care at no cost.

• Paper claims (VA Form 10-3542) are still accepted but can take weeks to process and create backlogs that delay payments for everyone.

Official Resources

• File and Manage Travel Reimbursement Claims: va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay

• AccessVA (BTSSS Login): access.va.gov

• Veterans Transportation Program: va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/vtp

• VetRide Self-Service Portal: ssp.vetride.va.gov/app

• VA Find Locations: va.gov/find-locations

• VA Beneficiary Travel Help Line: 855-574-7292 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET)