When does the VA pay out travel pay?

SGT(P) June Sebree — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:08:03 -0400

I went to a VR&E appointment/Interview March 13th, in Sacromento, CA. They had me fill-out the Travel Pay form. I was told I did not qualify for VocRehab but was told I would get travel pay. That was two weeks ago. I had to drive three hours to this appointment. I usually don't care about this sort of thing, but it cost me to go all the way down. I called the number provided and got no where. I got a person that transferred me to Mather Benefits, which was an automated voice and answering machine.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2019 4:49 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 16:49:56 -0400

I've had direct deposit set up for years. It normally takes 2-3 weeks for mine to show, but that's filed electronically.
I'd give it 4 weeks before following up.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Mar 26 at 2019 6:47 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:47:34 -0400

Just about given up on one here recently, came after 6 weeks.

Response by PV2 Robert H. made Mar 28 at 2019 1:37 PM

PV2 Robert H. — Thu, 28 Mar 2019 13:37:06 -0400

It can take a while. Did you enroll? And claim the miles traveled? I know for my appointment I had to claim the miles while at the office on a kiosk

Response by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs made Apr 23 at 2019 11:40 AM

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 11:40:35 -0400

The Beneficiary Travel program provides eligible Veterans and other beneficiaries mileage reimbursement, common carrier (plane, train, bus, taxi, light rail etc.), or when medically indicated, "special mode" (ambulance, wheelchair van) transport for travel to and from VA health care, or VA authorized non-VA health care for which the Veteran is eligible. More information on eligibility at: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vtp/beneficiary_travel.asp

Basically, what this means is that VA will pay for your transportation costs to a VA facility if you are eligible. Check the link above to learn more, but most Veterans who are eligible have a service connected rating of 30% or higher or are being treated for a service connected injury.

If you have applied for travel reimbursement and are waiting to receive payments after the claim has been processed, please contact your local Beneficiary Travel Program Office or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) for assistance. The funds are typically direct deposited into the individual’s account within 7 to 10 business days.

beneficiary_travel.asp

Response by SrA Larry Potts made Apr 24 at 2019 8:45 PM

SrA Larry Potts — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 20:45:56 -0400

Call your congressman. The Augusta Ga VA is great the travel office is off the rails.

Response by SGT Leonard Berry made Apr 24 at 2019 8:51 PM

SGT Leonard Berry — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 20:51:14 -0400

It simply takes 30 to 45 days for travel paid to go through

Response by Maj Neal Armour made Apr 25 at 2019 2:43 AM

Maj Neal Armour — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 02:43:42 -0400

Since VA changed to electronic request for travel pay last year I have not received any pay for over 20 appointments. I have been to travel office three times no help at all and no interest in fixing problem.

Response by SFC Jose A Hernandez made Apr 25 at 2019 3:39 AM

SFC Jose A Hernandez — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:39:08 -0400

Hello, my name is Hernandez, SFC, USA Retired. "We" no longer need to fill out any forms or paper work to be reimbursed for travel pay; that went out a few years ago. First you should have some sort of documentation that you had an appointment and that you attended, name and title who told you that you didn't qualify and the reasons why, that same person, his alternate or the one in charge should've logged into the system and put you in for travel pay after verifying your personal info. such as your name, address, ss#, and tel # and have you sign.

Now, it took me 42 YEARS!!!!! for the VA to find me 100% disabled, I was drafted went to Nam, volunteered to serve in Iraq and retired after 39 years and the injuries that I sustained in Nam and Iraq the VA claimed they were "birth defects." DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!!! Keep pushing until you get your benefits and disability.

Response by Sgt Robert Beverly made Apr 25 at 2019 6:01 AM

Sgt Robert Beverly — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:01:35 -0400

The VA used to pay for travel overseas. In Thailand we received payment for transportation and hotel. Why was that stopped. It's not like we can just go to the local VA hospital, the nearest is in the Philippines.

Response by AN David Stopher made Apr 25 at 2019 10:41 AM

AN David Stopher — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 10:41:21 -0400

Audie Murphy VA Hospital processes Travel Pay for many Veterans in Texas. They are always understaffed and the pay takes more than 6 weeks to be processed. Also there is no way an ordinary Veteran can get this improved. Patient Advocates do not return calls. Operators will not connect you to Hospital Administrators. The travel dept does answer the phone and says, "We only have 2 people to process 700 pay requests received per day."

Response by PO3 Jose Heinert made Apr 25 at 2019 4:18 PM

PO3 Jose Heinert — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 16:18:15 -0400

If you filled out a form it may take 4 weeks or longer since the VA reimbursement system has been backed up for months. However, I recently went to a VA Hospital for an appointment and found that the "kiosk" sign-in system using my VA ID processed the request for travel reimbursement and I had the $ in my bank account within a week. If you did not use your VA ID card at the kiosk it may be delayed.

Response by SSgt Mac Makinster made Apr 25 at 2019 4:59 PM

SSgt Mac Makinster — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 16:59:25 -0400

As you filled out the Travel Pay form on the day of your appointment on the 13th of March, you will not receive travel pay for that day, but you will receive travel pay for any future appointments. As in most cases, unless you have a service connection disability of I think 35% or above, you will have to resubmit a new form after a year, so it is best to fill out a new form before it expires.

Response by SSgt Mark Friedman made Apr 25 at 2019 7:15 PM

SSgt Mark Friedman — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:15:02 -0400

You need to contact the patient representative at your hospital. These people are there to help you with any problems you have at the hospital. They should be able to help you. Good luck.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Apr 26 at 2019 1:16 AM

SGT Chris Padgett — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:16:37 -0400

If you get it within a month, you're lucky. It generally takes 6 to 8 weeks to process.
I have appointments that span over a week some times. I submit travel after each appointment. Within 6-7 weeks I'll get all of the travel checks the same day.

Response by PV2 Vincent Calloway made May 8 at 2019 9:59 PM

PV2 Vincent Calloway — Wed, 08 May 2019 21:59:40 -0400

IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE DALLAS VA YOU MIGHT GET LUCKY AND GET ONE MAYBE ONCE A WEEK. THEY ARE SO FAR BEHIND, THAT THEY SAY ITS AT MY BANK, BUT THAT'S A LIE BECAUSE MY BANK POST JUST AS SOON AS THEY GET IT, THEY JUST GIVE YOU THE RUNAROUND, AND EVERY TIME YOU TALK TO THEM THEY COME UP WITH SOME EXCUSE LIKE US VETERANS ARE DUMMIES AND WILL BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY. JUST TELLING THE TRUTH, CAUSE IT IS HARD TO SPEAK TO THE DIRECTOR.

Response by SP5 Joel Waxman made May 8 at 2019 10:30 PM

SP5 Joel Waxman — Wed, 08 May 2019 22:30:53 -0400

Anytime you go to a clinical appointment you apply when you check in. You need to use the terminal and I think it is the last option.

Response by PO2 Bruce Smith made May 9 at 2019 3:27 AM

PO2 Bruce Smith — Thu, 09 May 2019 03:27:35 -0400

I get travel and it can take a month. Given that it's your first may take longer to set up the account.

Response by 1stLt Jim Meier made May 9 at 2019 6:18 AM

1stLt Jim Meier — Thu, 09 May 2019 06:18:13 -0400

You qualify for TRAVEL PAY- If they sent you for a VR&E apt you probably also qualify for Voc Rehab- fight them on both counts- I used to work for the VA - Talk to one of service organizations (DAV ect) or get a lawyer !!

Response by PO3 Otto Borden made May 9 at 2019 9:11 AM

PO3 Otto Borden — Thu, 09 May 2019 09:11:38 -0400

Get used to it I been dealing with VA since 1983 try to conduct all your business online for example you could have requested a video interview and stayed home

Response by PFC Nathaniel Cobbler made May 9 at 2019 10:11 AM

PFC Nathaniel Cobbler — Thu, 09 May 2019 10:11:35 -0400

have no Travel prog 4 va beneficiaries mileage reimbursement (eligible mileage reimbursement )

Response by 1SG Robert Daniels made May 10 at 2019 10:34 AM

1SG Robert Daniels — Fri, 10 May 2019 10:34:44 -0400

Bay pines VA located in St Petersburg, FL is Four(4) months behind in travel pay reimbursement.

Response by PFC Glenda Richardson made May 10 at 2019 11:12 AM

PFC Glenda Richardson — Fri, 10 May 2019 11:12:09 -0400

The writing period for travel reinbursement keeps me from being able to keep appts I am on a. Fixed income.