va travel pay contact number

Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS)

Get reimbursed for travel expenses quicker with btsss.

* This email is for informational purposes only, please do not reply.

VA Travel Pay – Reimbursement, Eligibility, How to File, and More

If you’re like the millions of other Vets in the nation, you’re probably traveling a lot for healthcare. No matter what you’re seeking help for or how long your commute is, VA travel pay can usually help you get reimbursed for the difference. Sound good? Learn more about it below!

Read next: Your Guide to Using My HealtheVet for Veteran Healthcare Needs

What Is VA Travel Pay?

VA travel reimbursement is money that the VA gives you to cover the cost of travel relating to approved healthcare visits for patients and caregivers. You can receive reimbursement for transportation, approved meals, and approved lodging expenses.

In this day and age, gas prices are skyrocketing, bus costs are expensive, plane tickets are astronomical, and every other form of transportation isn’t getting any cheaper. Luckily, this form of VA reimbursement is here to make sure you don’t go broke just for trying to stay healthy.

Do I Qualify For VA Travel Pay?

VA travel pay eligibility is for Veterans and their caregivers who are “traveling for care at a VA health facility or for VA-approved care at a non-VA health facility in your community.”

Additionally, to receive VA travel pay, at least one of the following statements must be true:

• Your VA disability is at 30% or higher.
• You’re traveling for a service-connected health issue (even if your rating is under 30%).
• You receive a VA pension.
• Your income is less than the maximum annual VA pension rate.
• You cannot afford your travel expenses.
• You’re traveling to get a service dog, for VA-approved transplant care, or for a scheduled VA claim exam.

For caregivers, at least one of the following statements must be true if they’re providing care for a Veteran or non-Veteran:

• “The person is your family caregiver under the National Caregiver Program traveling to receive caregiver training or to support your care.
• That individual is your medically required attendant traveling with you to support your care.
• The person is your transplant care donor or support person.”

VA Travel Pay Deductible

If you’re looking for payment for travel related to healthcare, keep in mind that, like your health insurance, you’ll be required to pay a deductible before being paid for any travel expenses.

Currently, the deductible for a one-way trip for an appointment is $3, whereas a round-trip appointment will cost you $6. The payment won’t go above $18 power month.

But why charge a deductible at all? According to the VA, this is a requirement, as they must withhold a certain amount of money from travel reimbursement payments. This money goes toward assisting with travel and medical care for other Veterans.

For many Veterans with low incomes, they may not have to make this payment. Reach out to your local beneficiary office to see if they may be willing to waive the deductible.

How To Get VA Travel Pay

Before you earn your travel pay, you have to set a few things up. First, you’ll need to create a VA travel pay login via Veteran Travel Claim Entry (the VA travel pay portal). You can start the process here .

Then, you’ll want to use one of the following existing login platforms or create an all-new login for one of the platforms to get started:

• VA PIV Card
• My HealtheVet

However, there are more options you can choose from, which can be seen on their category page .

Setting Up a Direct Deposit

After logging in or creating an account, you need to set up direct deposit for easy pay. You can do this by filling out VA Form 10091 , for which you’ll need your bank’s name, address, and routing number in addition to your own account number (and whether it’s checking or savings), address, and social security number.

Then, you can fax your completed form to 512-460-5221 or bring it in person to your local beneficiary travel office.

After submitting your form, log in to your travel claim profile and double-check that the information for your direct deposit is correct. If it’s not, you can click “Request Profile Updates” to make any necessary changes.

If you’re using BTSSS VA travel pay for reimbursement, check out this video from the VA to get started with direct deposit and payments:

Keep Track of Receipts

When you’re traveling for healthcare expenses, make sure you get a copy of all your receipts and keep them in a safe location. Additionally, track your car’s mileage by writing down the mileage before and after your trip and calculating the difference.

Additionally, the mileage reimbursement rate is 41.5 cents per mile.

Other eligible costs you should keep receipts for include:

• Road tolls.
• Taxi fares.
• Plane tickets.
• Bus, subway, or train tickets.
• Meals and lodging, in specific cases.

Filing a Claim With the VA Travel Pay Form

Once you’ve completed the steps above, it’s time to file your claim.

To file your VA travel pay claim, you’ll need to log in to your Veteran Travel Claim Entry account as before. From there, you’ll submit your receipts and mileage.

Keep in mind that you must submit a claim within 30 days of the expense to be eligible for reimbursement. Furthermore, if you try to file a claim outside of that window, you will not be paid for your travel expenses.

How To Check on VA Travel Pay

You might also want to know how to check on VA travel pay after you’ve filed your claim. You can visit your account for VA travel pay online to check on the status of your payment or call your local beneficiary office .

Once your VA travel pay reimbursement has been approved, it will be automatically deposited through your bank account via an electronic funds transfer (EFT), and there will be no need for further action from you.

VA Travel Pay Problems

Unfortunately, there are issues users may run into from time to time. This includes reports of Veterans not being notified of the submission deadline and policy changes during the pandemic era.

To avoid common problems, be sure to file your claim within 30 days of incurring the expenses. Otherwise, the VA is likely to deny reimbursement as the extensions during COVID-19 expired on June 9, 2023.

Additionally, there have been multiple reports of issues using the VA’s online travel reimbursement system accepting claims due to the inability to properly fill out the form. For example, a healthcare professional or facility not being listed online.

Despite the BTSSS aiming to handle 90% of the claims from Veterans effectively, government oversight reports show that these goals have not been met.

Developed by Liberty IT Solutions, which is now a subsidiary of Booz Allen Hamilton, Veterans, and staff alike continue to experience VA travel pay problems using BTSSS.

Measures to improve these issues are already underway, including the use of kiosks using a different app, VetLink, that is being tested at various VA sites throughout the country, including Charleston, South Carolina.

If you are experiencing issues, call the toll-free VA travel pay problems phone number Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET at 1 (855) 574-7292 (TTY: 711) for assistance.

While VA travel pay reimbursement options are less than perfect, they do exist. Therefore, be sure to document your expenses, be prepared for filing over the phone should you experience issues online, file within 30 days, and reach out for help as soon as possible to avoid being denied.

Suggested read: Hazardous and Toxic Materials PACT Act Expansion Starts March 5, 2024

• VA travel pay reimbursement, VA. Accessed March 2024. https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay/
• Goals Not Met for Implementation of the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System, CIGIE. Accessed March 2024. 

*Updated by Buddy Blouin 3/1/2024

About Kassidy Barber

Kassidy Barber is the Assistant Editor for VeteranLife.com and MyBaseGuide.com. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She's been working as a writer, editor, QA specialist, and SEO professional for more than four years.

SUGGESTED ARTICLES

These Long Distance Sniper Kills Shattered Records & Made History

September 4, 2024

President Bongbong Marcos Is an Outside Force Affecting US Military Policy

The Digital GI Bill: VA’s New Online System Costs Nearly $500M

Navy Shipbuilder Austal USA Faces $24 Million Fine for Fraud

September 3, 2024

The VA Owes Vietnam Veterans $844 Million or More Retroactively

Making Sense of Ron DeSantis’ Military Service – SEAL, Vet, and Career

• Military Discounts
• Military & Veteran Discount List
• Gym and Health Club Discounts
• Apple Military Discount
• Amazon Prime Discounts
• Amex for Military Members
• Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts

• 10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About
• Five Top Military Spouse Benefits
• Medal of Honor: Benefits, History and Facts
• Purple Heart Benefits
• Do You Qualify for Veterans Benefits
• Tricare Plans
• Military Life Insurance

• Best VA Lenders
• VA Loan Calculator
• VA Loan Limits by County
• VA Home Loan Guide
• 2024 BAH Rates
• 2024 BAH Calculator
• 2024 BAS Rates
• Monthly Housing Allowance Calculator

Money & Finance

• Military Pay Calculator
• Military Pay Dates
• 2024 Military Pay Charts
• 2024 Military Pay Raise
• VA Disability Rates
• VA Disability Calculator

• Veteran Friendly Employers
• Military Spouse Employment Preference
• Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS)
• Security Clearance Jobs After the Military
• Military Transition Programs
• Transition Assistance Program
• Veteran Readiness and Employment
• Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX)

• Veteran Friendly Colleges
• Online Colleges with Military Discounts
• Veteran Friendly Colleges Guide
• Military Spouse Career Advancement (MyCAA) Scholarship Program
• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for the GI Bill
• Forever GI Bill
• Free Tuition for Spouses and Dependents
• GI Bill Payment Dates

• How to Get a Veterans ID Card
• Veterans ID Cards by State
• Military ID Cards
• Military Calendar
• State Veteran’s Benefits
• How To Read DD Form 214
• DEFCON Levels
• Military Rank and Insignia Charts

• VA Disability

Navigating VA Travel Reimbursement: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by Jeff Ousley

The VA pays eligible veterans and caregivers for mileage and other travel expenses to and from approved healthcare appointments. Here is what you need to know about eligibility, amounts, how to file a claim, and more.

» MORE: Find Out What You Qualify For: Free Medical Evidence Evaluation for VA Disability

Before Filing Your First Claim

Take these steps before you file your first claim:

Set up direct deposit . The VA can then deposit your reimbursement into your bank account.

Keep your receipts for all transportation and approved meals or lodging. It’s also important to track your mileage to and from appointments. Go here to see what expenses the VA covers.

File your claim on time. You must file within 30 days of your appointment or when you become eligible for reimbursement. You must file a new claim for each appointment.

» MORE: Get the VA Disability Rating You're Entitled To: Start with a Free Evaluation Today

Eligibility Requirements

If you’re a veteran, you may be eligible for reimbursement if you’re traveling for care at a VA health facility or for VA-approved care at a non-VA health facility in your community.

In addition, at least one of these must also be true:

• You have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher
• You’re traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, even if your VA disability rating is less than 30%
• You receive a VA pension
• You have an income that’s below the maximum annual VA pension rate
• You can’t afford to pay for your travel, as defined by VA guidelines
• You’re traveling for one of these reasons: a scheduled VA claim exam (also called a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam), to get a service dog, or for VA-approved transplant care 

If you’re a caregiver, you may be compensated for transportation, lodging, and meals if you meet these requirements:

• The person is your family caregiver under the National Caregiver Program traveling to receive caregiver training or to support your care
• The person is your medically required attendant traveling with you to support your care
• The person is your transplant care donor or support person
• Caregivers who are a part of the National Caregiver Support Program

The VA may pay for the following:

• Mileage to and from your appointment
• Bridge, road, and tunnel tolls
• Taxi and plane fares
• Ticket costs for public transportation, including train, subway, bus, ferry, or light rail
• Transportation by a specially equipped vehicle, like an ambulance or wheelchair van, when needed and approved
• Meals and lodging when needed in some cases – you may be reimbursed for the actual cost, up to 50% of the local government employee rate

The VA may also pay for care for an allied beneficiary when the appropriate foreign government agency has authorized their care or for the beneficiary of another federal agency when that agency has approved their care.

If your VA healthcare provider decides you need to travel to another VA facility for care, you’ll be reimbursed the cost of travel to that facility. For a non-VA health facility, you’ll only be reimbursed for travel if approved in advance, except in specific emergencies.

» MORE: Unlock Your VA Disability Benefits: Improve Your Rating

Mileage Reimbursement Rate

As of 2024, the VA pays 41.5 cents per mile for approved, health-related travel. The VA uses Bing Maps to calculate mileage based on the fastest and shortest route from your home to the closest VA or authorized non-VA health facility that can provide the care you need.

This distance is often called “door to door.” They pay round-trip mileage for your scheduled appointments but may only pay return mileage for unscheduled visits.

» MORE: Maximize Your Veteran Benefits: Get Accurate VA Disability Ratings

Monthly Deductible

Before you are reimbursed for expenses, you must pay a small deductible.

The current deductible is $3 one-way or $6 round-trip for each appointment, up to $18 monthly. After you pay $18 within one month, the VA will pay the total cost of your approved travel for the rest of that month.

The deductible helps to pay for travel or medical care for other veterans. The VA is required by law to charge the deductible.

The agency must withhold specific amounts from travel reimbursement payments. However, in some cases, the VA may waive this deductible.

» MORE: Get Accurate VA Disability Ratings: Start Today

How to File a Claim

General healthcare travel reimbursement covers regular transportation expenses (such as by car, plane, train, bus, taxi, or light rail) and approved meals and lodging expenses for eligible veterans and caregivers.

You can file a claim online through the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS). You’ll access this system through the AccessVA travel portal to file a claim.

There are several different accounts you can use to log in, including:

• My HealtheVet

If you don’t have an account, use Login.gov or ID.me to create one and sign in.

You can view YouTube VA videos on how to use BTSSS here .

You should receive your payment within 3 to 5 business days. If you need time to gather receipts or other information, you can save your claim and come back later to edit it.

But you’ll still need to submit it within 30 days of your appointment.

The VA will deposit your reimbursement through electronic funds transfer (EFT) unless other payment arrangements have been made with you. 

VA Reimbursement FAQs

Can i file a claim by mail, email, or in person.

You can also file your claim by mail, fax, email, or in person at the VA facility where you received care . To do this, you must fill out a Veteran/Beneficiary Claim for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses VA Form 10-3542 .

When you submit a claim, read the statements and certifications carefully before signing, dating, and submitting your form. If you mail your claim, the VA considers the postmark date the submission date.

Can I get reimbursed for traveling to get treatment at a special disability rehabilitation center?

You may be eligible for reimbursement if you need in-patient care or get temporary lodging approved by VA. Special disability rehabilitation centers include clinics that provide care for spinal cord injuries, vision loss or blindness, or prosthetics rehabilitation.

Am I still eligible for reimbursement if I travel with another veteran or use a free transportation service?

Traveling with another veteran makes you eligible for reimbursement if you meet at least one of these requirements:

• You’re the owner of the vehicle used for travel
• You share a vehicle, like a taxi, with other veterans and pay your own fare
• You pay another veteran to take you to an appointment

You’ll need to provide a receipt for your expenses, and if you’re eligible, the VA will pay the mileage rate or actual expense, whichever is less.

If you use a free transportation service, you’re only eligible for reimbursement for any travel you may have had to get to and from your home to where you were picked up or dropped off by the service. Free transportation services may include the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) system, VA Veterans Transportation Service (VTS), or other no-cost city or state transportation.

What if I need transport by ambulance, wheelchair van, or another special type of vehicle?

These types of transport are covered under special mode transportation reimbursement. You may be eligible for reimbursement if you’re a veteran traveling for care at a VA health facility or for VA-approved care at a facility in your community.

In addition, all of these must also be true:

• You’re eligible for general healthcare travel reimbursement
• A VA healthcare provider determines your medical condition requires an ambulance or a specially equipped van for travel
• The VA approved your travel in advance unless the travel is for an emergency situation where a delay would threaten your life or health. If you need emergency transportation, notify the VA within 72 hours after transport.

What if my current mailing address is a PO box, or I change my home address while receiving care?

You must establish an official place of residence so the VA can determine your reimbursement amount. You may be asked to provide documentation to confirm your address.

You’ll be reimbursed for your return trip home if you change your address while receiving care. The VA will base your reimbursement on the distance between your new home and the VA health facility closest to your new home that could have provided the needed care.

How Can I Get Help With My Claim?

Call your VA health facility’s Beneficiary Travel contact .

Visit the AskVA website to search Frequently Asked Questions or ask questions online.

You can also call the BTSSS toll-free call center at 855-574-7292 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

 The VA has a comprehensive guide if you need further instructions. 

Most Popular VA Disability Articles

2024 VA Disability Rates

• 2024 VA Disability Calculator

2024 VA Disability Pay Dates

How to apply for VA Disability Pay

2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

2024 VA Pension Rates

2024 DIC Benefits and Rates

VA Disability Back Pay

Can I Work With a 100% Military Disability Rating?

Jeff Ousley is a mortgage credit specialist and Air Force veteran. He’s passionate about providing the best possible advice and finding smart solutions to help people achieve their dream of homeownership.

VA Disability Topics

Popular Articles

Post-9/11 GI Bill Guide: Benefits, Eligibility, and Payment Rates

2025 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Rates

2025 Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) Rates

2025 Military Pay Charts

What military pay in 2025 could look like.

• VA Loan Guide
• BAH and VA Loans
• VA Loans and Disability Rating
• VA Loan Limits

Calculators

• 2024 Military Pay Calculator
• Military Time Converter

Dates to Know

• 2024 Military Pay Dates
• 2024 Military Reserve Pay Dates
• 2024 USAA Military Pay Deposit Dates
• 2024 Retired Military and Annuitant Pay Dates
• Federal & Training Holidays
• Banks That Deposit Military Pay Early
• How to Get a Veteran ID Card
• Veteran ID Cards by State
• Veteran’s Benefits by State
• How to Get Your DD-214
• 2024 Reserve and National Guard Drill Pay

Veterans: Get the VA Disability Rating You Deserve

Sponsored by Trajector

Copyright © 2024 Three Creeks Media, LLC

Veteran.com is a property of Three Creeks Media. Neither Veteran.com nor Three Creeks Media are associated with or endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs. The content on Veteran.com is produced by Three Creeks Media, its partners, affiliates and contractors, any opinions or statements on Veteran.com should not be attributed to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs , the Dept. of Defense or any governmental entity. If you have questions about Veteran programs offered through or by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, please visit their website at va.gov. The content offered on Veteran.com is for general informational purposes only and may not be relevant to any consumer’s specific situation, this content should not be construed as legal or financial advice. If you have questions of a specific nature consider consulting a financial professional, accountant or attorney to discuss. References to third-party products, rates and offers may change without notice.

Advertising Notice: Veteran.com and Three Creeks Media, its parent and affiliate companies, may receive compensation through advertising placements on Veteran.com. For any rankings or lists on this site, Veteran.com may receive compensation from the companies being ranked; however, this compensation does not affect how, where, and in what order products and companies appear in the rankings and lists. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a “partner” the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of Veteran.com. No tables, rankings, or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products.

Editorial Disclosure: Editorial content on Veteran.com may include opinions. Any opinions are those of the author alone, and not those of an advertiser to the site nor of Veteran.com.

Information from your device can be used to personalize your ad experience.

• Help Center (current)

Help Center

Welcome to the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS) help center. This section provides details on the claim process and explains some scenarios that fall outside the normal process.

General Information

• Learn about the reimbursement Process using BTSSS
• Understand claim statuses

Special Situations

• Submitting a claim more than 30 days after an appointment
• Applying for a deductible waiver