Request travel reimbursement
Eligible travel to VA or VA-approved care may qualify for reimbursement of supported expenses.
Who this program may help
Veteran and caregiver eligibility rules differ; approved care and the expense type matter.
Read official eligibility instructions1. Check the appointment and travel-pay rules
Not every trip to a listed facility qualifies.
Read the Veteran or caregiver eligibility section for the actual appointment.
Why this matters
Proximity alone does not establish reimbursement.
Official action:
Read travel-pay eligibility and filing methodsThe beneficiary-travel office evaluates eligibility.
Official references
2. Get advance approval when required
Some transport, meals and lodging need preapproval.
Ask the beneficiary-travel office before using expenses requiring approval or traveling beyond the closest facility.
Why this matters
Mileage and parking rules differ from special-mode and lodging rules.
Documents for this step
- VA approval for applicable travel expenses
Specified transport, meals, lodging or travel beyond the nearest appropriate facility
conditional
Obtain required approval before non-emergency travel.
VA identifies the covered expenses in its approval.
Official references
3. Keep travel proof and arrange travel-pay deposit
Travel pay uses its own direct-deposit setup.
Keep receipts, track mileage and obtain community-care attendance proof when applicable.
Why this matters
Benefit-payment banking does not automatically set up travel-pay banking.
Documents for this step
- Receipts and mileage details preparation
- Proof of attendance
Community care appointment
conditional
Before your first claim and at each appointment.
VA uses this information to process reimbursement.
Official references
4. File a claim for the appointment
VA supports online claims and a paper form submitted to the care facility.
Use the official online instructions or send signed 10-3542 with receipts to the VA facility where care was received.
Why this matters
A Janesville benefit-claim address is not the travel-pay destination.
Documents for this step
- VA Form 10-3542 — Request reimbursement of travel expenses
Paper travel reimbursement claim
alternative
Official action:
Continue to VA’s travel-pay filing optionsPlan to file within 30 days; late claims can still be filed but are usually denied.
Keep the official claim confirmation or mailed copy.
VA reviews the trip and expenses.
Official references
5. Review the claim result
A submitted travel claim is not a payment award.
Follow any missing-information request and contact the facility’s travel office about the result.
Why this matters
Each appointment has its own claim.
VA processes the claim and any payment by electronic transfer.