Veterans Affairs (VA) travel pay & appointment rides

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Beneficiary Travel program reimburses eligible travel to VA or VA-approved care. The published mileage rate is 41.5 cents per mile. Approved costs can include tolls, parking, public-transportation tickets and preapproved plane or taxi fares. Deductibles are $3 one way or $6 round trip per appointment, capped at $18 per month; a waiver may apply. The $18 amount is a deductible cap, not a reimbursement cap. Veterans Transportation Service and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a charity with volunteer vans, offer separate free appointment rides subject to local availability; contact the facility transportation representative or hospital service coordinator.

Travel must be for approved care, and at least one eligibility basis must apply: a VA disability rating of 30% or more; treatment for a service-connected condition; VA pension; income below the maximum annual pension rate; inability to afford travel under VA guidelines; or a scheduled compensation-and-pension exam or approved transplant care. Other attendant, caregiver and donor rules are on the official source. This is not automatic for every veteran.

File a travel-pay claim within 30 days through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) on the official page: https://www.va.gov/health-care/file-travel-pay-reimbursement/. For rides, contact your facility or follow https://www.va.gov/resources/how-to-request-rides-to-va-health-appointments/.

• An identity-verified ID.me, Login.gov or CLEAR account to file in the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS): https://dvagov-btsss.dynamics365portals.us/ — or, by mail or in person, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Form 10-3542 with your receipts: https://www.va.gov/forms/10-3542
• A separate direct deposit set up for VA travel pay
• For community care appointments: proof of attendance from the community provider
• A claim filed within 30 days of each appointment — claims after 30 days are usually denied