Medical Transportation for New Jersey Veterans
New Jersey is home to more than 350,000 veterans, many of whom rely on VA healthcare for their medical needs. Getting to VA medical centers and outpatient clinics — sometimes for complex, ongoing care — requires reliable transportation, and the distance or cost of travel can be a barrier. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers several transportation programs, and private NEMT providers like Delta Medical Transportation can fill the gaps that VA programs don't cover.
This guide explains every VA transportation benefit available to New Jersey veterans, who qualifies, how to access each program, and what options exist when VA transport isn't enough.
VA Beneficiary Travel Program
The VA Beneficiary Travel (BT) Program helps veterans get to and from VA-approved medical appointments by providing mileage reimbursement or, in some cases, arranging actual transportation. It is administered under 38 CFR Part 70.
Who Is Eligible for VA Beneficiary Travel?
You may qualify for VA Beneficiary Travel if you meet any of the following criteria:
- You have a service-connected disability rated at 30% or higher
- You are traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition (any rating)
- Your income is below the VA means test threshold (the same threshold used for determining VA healthcare copays)
- You are traveling for a VA-ordered compensation or pension exam
- You receive a VA pension
- You are traveling for care at a VA Community Care authorized provider
What Does VA Beneficiary Travel Cover?
The most common form is mileage reimbursement at the current VA-approved rate (check with your VA facility for the current rate per mile, as it is periodically updated). Reimbursement covers the most direct route from your home to the VA facility and back.
Special modes of transportation are also covered when medically necessary:
- Common carrier (bus, train) — reimbursed at actual cost up to the mileage reimbursement equivalent
- Wheelchair-accessible van — when a veteran cannot travel by standard vehicle due to disability
- Ambulance or ambulette — when medically required
How to File for VA Beneficiary Travel Reimbursement
You can file for reimbursement:
- Online at va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay/ using VA Form 10-3542
- At the VA facility on the day of your appointment at the Beneficiary Travel office (usually near the entrance or outpatient registration)
- By mail to your VA medical center's Beneficiary Travel office
Claim within 30 days of your appointment — late claims may be denied. Keep copies of all receipts if using common carrier transport.
NJ VA Medical Centers and Clinics
New Jersey veterans receive VA care at several facilities. Understanding where you'll be traveling helps plan your transportation:
- VA New Jersey Health Care System — East Orange Campus (East Orange) — the primary inpatient and specialty care facility for NJ veterans
- VA New Jersey Health Care System — Lyons Campus (Lyons, Somerset County) — specializes in mental health and substance use treatment
- Toms River VA Outpatient Clinic (Ocean County)
- Hackensack VA Outpatient Clinic (Bergen County)
- Tinton Falls VA Outpatient Clinic (Monmouth County)
- Paterson VA Outpatient Clinic (Passaic County)
- Newark VA Outpatient Clinic (Essex County)
Veterans in northern New Jersey may also access care at the Manhattan VA Medical Center (James J. Peters VAMC in the Bronx) or the VA Hudson Valley system, depending on their enrollment.
Veterans Transportation Program (VTS) and DAV Transport
The Veterans Transportation Program (VTP) — sometimes called the Veterans Transportation Service — provides scheduled van transportation from community pickup points to VA medical centers. This free service is available to veterans who meet VA eligibility criteria. Contact your nearest VA facility's Voluntary Services office to ask about VTP van schedules in your area.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization also operates free transportation services in New Jersey. DAV volunteer drivers use DAV vehicles to transport veterans from their homes or community pickup points to VA facilities. To access DAV transport, contact your local NJ DAV chapter or the transportation coordinator at your VA facility. Veterans who need this service should sign up in advance, as schedules fill quickly.
VA Community Care and Transportation
The VA MISSION Act expanded veterans' access to community (non-VA) healthcare providers. If you're authorized for community care — seeing a private-sector doctor, specialist, or therapist at VA expense — the Beneficiary Travel benefit may cover your transportation to community care appointments as well, subject to eligibility criteria. Always confirm with your VA travel pay office before assuming your community care trip is covered.
How Private NEMT Supplements VA Transportation
VA transportation programs have limitations: VTP vans run on fixed schedules, DAV volunteer availability varies, and Beneficiary Travel only reimburses after you've already made the trip. For veterans who:
- Need transport on a day when VA van service isn't available
- Require a wheelchair-accessible van and the VA's transport isn't accessible
- Are going to a community care appointment that VA transport doesn't cover
- Need same-day or urgent transport
- Want the reliability and comfort of a dedicated, private service
...private NEMT providers like Delta Medical Transportation are the right solution. Delta can provide wheelchair van and stretcher transport for NJ veterans, and we can issue detailed invoices for Beneficiary Travel reimbursement submission. Contact Delta to arrange veteran-friendly medical transportation.
Coordinating VA and Medicaid Transportation
Some NJ veterans are enrolled in both VA healthcare and NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid). For veterans who qualify for both, coordination of benefits rules generally make VA the primary payer for service-connected conditions and Medicaid the secondary or alternative payer for non-service-connected conditions. If you have both VA and Medicaid coverage, speak with both your VA social worker and your Medicaid MCO about coordinating transportation benefits to maximize coverage.
How much does VA Beneficiary Travel reimburse per mile?
The VA Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement rate has historically been around $0.41-$0.46 per mile, but it is subject to change. There is also a deductible per trip in some cases. Check the current rate at va.gov or contact your VA facility's travel pay office for the most up-to-date information.
Can I get VA Beneficiary Travel reimbursement if I use a private NEMT company?
Yes, in many cases. If you used a private NEMT company (like Delta) to reach a VA-authorized appointment and you meet VA Beneficiary Travel eligibility criteria, you can submit the invoice from the NEMT company as documentation for reimbursement. Ask your VA travel pay office what documentation is required.
How do I sign up for DAV transportation in New Jersey?
Contact your nearest VA facility's Voluntary Services office or the DAV New Jersey state headquarters. You can also ask your VA social worker to connect you with the DAV transportation coordinator at your facility. Rides are free but must be scheduled in advance.
Does the VA cover transportation to mental health appointments?
Yes. VA Beneficiary Travel covers trips to VA mental health clinics, psychiatric appointments, substance use treatment, and other behavioral health services — provided you meet eligibility criteria. The Lyons VA Campus, which specializes in mental health, is covered.
What if I need a wheelchair-accessible van to get to the VA?
If you require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, the VA can authorize special mode transportation when medically necessary. If VA transport cannot accommodate you, private NEMT from Delta Medical Transportation is available. We provide wheelchair-accessible van transport throughout New Jersey and can issue invoices for VA reimbursement purposes.
For more information about medical transportation coverage options in New Jersey, visit our insurance coverage page. Delta Medical Transportation is proud to serve New Jersey's veteran community. Contact us to arrange your next medical transport.