TSA PreCheck LAX Terminal 7 (Photo: Edward Russell)
A new travel benefit is now available for certain Disabled Veterans, giving them a chance to enroll in TSA PreCheck without paying the standard application fee.
The change comes through the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, also called the VETS Safe Travel Act. The law allows eligible Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities to apply for TSA PreCheck at no cost. The program is meant to make airport security easier for Veterans whose disabilities can make travel more difficult, especially those who use wheelchairs or prosthetic limbs.
Travelers approved for TSA PreCheck are directed to a special screening area that can shorten the time spent going through airport security. In many cases, travelers do not have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, and they can keep laptops and approved liquids inside their carry-on bags. This can make the screening process less stressful and more manageable for Veterans with mobility challenges.
The benefit does not apply to every Veteran with a disability rating. To qualify, a Veteran must be enrolled in VA health care and have a service-connected disability including permanent blindness, loss of a limb, loss of use of a limb, full paralysis, or partial paralysis. They must also need a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb because of a service-connected disability.
Eligible Veterans will need a TSA PreCheck Application Fee Waiver Letter, downloadable on VA.gov. After signing in, Veterans can go to their benefits letters and documents section and select the TSA PreCheck Application Fee Waiver Letter.
Veterans still have to complete the TSA PreCheck application process. That includes providing the required personal information and going through TSA’s normal security review. Applicants may also need to provide fingerprints and have a photo taken during enrollment. A waiver letter does not automatically guarantee approval, because TSA still reviews citizenship, security, and background-check requirements.
The fee waiver also applies only through the approved process. According to TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA, eligible Veterans must email the VA eligibility letter with “VETS Safe” in the subject line. A code is then provided for free enrollment or renewal.
Veterans who do not qualify for the free TSA PreCheck benefit may still be able to get help at the airport through TSA Cares. That program helps travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances understand what to expect during screening. TSA recommends contacting TSA Cares at least 72 hours before traveling.
For many eligible Veterans, the new benefit is more than a convenience. It can remove a financial barrier, reduce time in security lines, and make air travel more accessible for those whose service-connected disabilities affect mobility.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
