Air travel can be stressful for anyone — but for veterans living with a service-connected disability, navigating a crowded airport security line while managing a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other mobility aid can be genuinely exhausting. That is exactly why Congress passed the VETS Safe Travel Act, signed into law on January 4, 2025 (Public Law 118-238), giving qualifying disabled veterans access to TSA PreCheck at no cost.
If you or a veteran you care for uses a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb because of a service-connected disability, read this guide carefully — you may never have to pay the $85 enrollment fee for TSA PreCheck again.
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program run by the Transportation Security Administration that gives approved passengers access to dedicated expedited security screening lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports across 85+ participating airlines.
When you have PreCheck status, you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Your laptop stays in your bag. Your 3-1-1 liquids stay packed. You move through a shorter, faster dedicated lane — and about 99% of PreCheck travelers wait less than 10 minutes.
For wheelchair users and veterans with mobility aids, PreCheck offers an additional critical benefit: you can remain seated in your wheelchair or mobility scooter throughout screening. Instead of a full pat-down, a TSA officer swabs your hands for explosive trace detection and conducts a brief physical inspection of your chair — a significantly less intrusive process than standard screening.
The VETS Safe Travel Act: Free PreCheck for Disabled Veterans
Normally, TSA PreCheck enrollment costs $85 for a five-year membership. Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, that fee is completely waived for veterans who meet specific eligibility requirements — and the membership can be renewed for free as long as you remain eligible.
Who Qualifies?
To receive free TSA PreCheck under the VETS Safe Travel Act, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- You are enrolled in VA health care
- You have a service-connected disability that the VA has determined results in one of the following: permanent blindness, loss of (or loss of use of) one or more limbs, or full or partial paralysis
- You require the use of a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb because of that service-connected disability
You must also meet TSA’s standard citizenship and background check requirements. Receiving a VA eligibility letter does not automatically guarantee PreCheck enrollment — TSA makes the final determination based on its own security screening criteria.
Important: CLEAR and Telos ID are currently unable to offer the fee waiver. At this time, eligible veterans must enroll through IDEMIA — TSA’s authorized enrollment partner — to have the fee waived.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Free TSA PreCheck as a Disabled Veteran
Step 1 — Get Your VA Eligibility Letter
The VA identifies eligible veterans and uploads your eligibility letter directly to your VA.gov account. You do not need to request it — if you qualify, the VA will make it available automatically.
To access your letter: Sign in to your account at VA.gov. Under Benefits and Healthcare, select Records. Click Download your VA benefits letters, then click Get your VA benefit letters and download the eligibility letter.
Step 2 — Email Your Letter to IDEMIA
Before scheduling your in-person enrollment appointment, email your VA fee waiver eligibility letter to IDEMIA’s customer support. Put “VETS Safe” in the email subject line. IDEMIA will review your letter and provide you with an offer code that waives the enrollment fee.
Step 3 — Schedule and Attend Your In-Person Appointment
TSA PreCheck enrollment always requires an in-person visit. At your appointment you will complete the online application forms, have your fingerprints taken and a photo captured, present your required identification documents, and provide your IDEMIA offer code to have the fee waived.
Fingerprint accommodation: TSA has procedures specifically for applicants who are partial or full amputees or are otherwise unable to provide ten-finger fingerprints. Notify the enrollment officer at your appointment.
Step 4 — Receive Your Known Traveler Number (KTN)
Once approved, you will receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) within 3–5 business days. Add this number to your airline reservations when booking — it signals to TSA that you are PreCheck-eligible and routes you to the expedited lane.
What the TSA PreCheck Experience Looks Like for Wheelchair Users
For veterans who use a wheelchair or scooter, TSA PreCheck meaningfully changes the security experience:
- You remain seated in your mobility device throughout the screening process
- A TSA officer conducts explosive trace detection (ETD) swabs of your hands
- Your wheelchair or scooter, including seat cushions and attached pouches, receives a brief physical inspection
- No full pat-down is required for PreCheck passengers
- Shoes, belt, and light jacket stay on
- Laptops and liquids stay in your carry-on bag
This is a dramatically different experience from standard screening, where mobility aid users often face lengthy pat-downs, device inspections, and the stress of separating from their equipment.
Additional TSA Travel Resources for Veterans with Disabilities
TSA Cares
The TSA Cares program provides dedicated assistance to travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other special circumstances. If you need a passenger support specialist to meet you at the checkpoint, call TSA Cares at least 72 hours before your flight.
TSA Cares Helpline: (855) 787-2227
Weekdays: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET
Weekends & Holidays: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET
Touchless ID at 65+ Airports
TSA is rolling out Touchless ID technology to 65+ airports nationwide in 2026. This feature lets PreCheck travelers verify their identity with a quick photo at the checkpoint — no physical ID or boarding pass required — using facial recognition matched to your passport on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all disabled veterans automatically get free TSA PreCheck?
No. The fee waiver is specifically for veterans enrolled in VA health care who require a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb due to a service-connected disability involving limb loss, paralysis, or permanent blindness. Veterans with other service-connected disabilities do not qualify for the fee waiver, though they may still enroll and pay the standard $85 fee.
Does active duty military also get TSA PreCheck for free?
Yes — active duty U.S. military members, National Guard, and Reserve personnel can participate in TSA PreCheck at no cost through their Department of Defense identification. This is a separate program from the VETS Safe Travel Act.
How long does TSA PreCheck membership last?
TSA PreCheck membership is valid for five years. Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, eligible veterans can renew at no cost through IDEMIA as long as they remain eligible under the program’s criteria.
Can I use TSA PreCheck with my power wheelchair or scooter?
Yes. TSA PreCheck passengers who cannot stand or walk may remain seated in their mobility device during screening. The officer will swab your hands and inspect the device. You will not need to transfer out of your wheelchair or scooter.
What if I am not yet enrolled in VA health care?
You must be enrolled in VA health care to qualify for this benefit. If you are not yet enrolled, visit VA.gov/health-care/apply or call 1-877-222-8387 to begin the application process.
How Access 2 Mobility Can Help
At Access 2 Mobility in Tyler, TX, we are a VA-approved mobility equipment dealer and NMEDA-certified dealership. We help East Texas veterans with disabilities find the right wheelchair van, power wheelchair, scooter, or adaptive equipment for their needs — and we help them understand what VA benefits are available to help cover the cost.
Whether you are a veteran navigating VA automobile allowance benefits, exploring accessible vehicle options, or just looking for a reliable local partner who understands mobility needs — we are here.
Call us at (903) 592-6760 or visit our showroom at 12406 State Highway 155 South, Tyler, TX 75703.
Sources: TSA.gov — VETS Safe PreCheck Program | VA.gov — Free TSA PreCheck for Veterans with a Disability | VA News — Veterans May Be Eligible for TSA PreCheck at No Cost
