These Travelers Can Qualify For Free TSA PreCheck In US Airports
Learning how to get through airport security without being flagged by TSA is one of the most useful lessons any traveler can learn. Long lines at security can be a downer at the very beginning of a trip, at best setting a bad tone for your getaway, and at worst leaving you with little time to get to your gate and catch your flight. Signing up for TSA PreCheck is a helpful airport security secret you need to know and a huge help when it comes to making your airport experience smoother and more enjoyable.
The TSA PreCheck program allows certain passengers to undergo a background check in advance and receive a Known Traveler Number, which acts as pre-clearance, allowing them to use a separate line at security and avoid further checks. It does come with a cost, which can be a deterrent, especially for people who don't travel frequently. However, a federal law passed last year means thousands of disabled veterans may now be able to receive TSA PreCheck clearance for free, making it easier and more affordable for them to travel than ever before.
The Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act was signed into law in January 2025 and allows certain former service members to sign up for TSA PreCheck without paying the standard cost of $76.75. The law is designed to make it simpler for veterans to travel and also stipulates increased awareness-raising efforts to ensure that veterans fully understand security processes in airports and know what assistance is available to them.
What are the criteria and how do you apply for free TSA PreCheck?
Not all veterans are eligible for free TSA PreCheck clearance. In order to qualify, veterans must already be enrolled in VA healthcare and have a disability related to their military service. These disabilities include the loss or loss of use of a limb, full or partial paralysis, blindness, an artificial arm or leg, and the use of a wheelchair if issued by the Veterans Association.
As part of the increased outreach efforts, the VA will be writing to veterans who qualify for this program to provide them with details and invite them to enroll. Veterans will then need to provide a physical copy of this letter to the TSA and then complete the standard PreCheck program background check and adhere to the TSA's list of dos and don'ts. The letter should also be available online at VA.gov, in the Benefits and Healthcare section.
Veterans who don't qualify for free TSA PreCheck may still be eligible for additional assistance at airport security. While this might not speed up the journey to quite the same extent, it can be a huge benefit for travelers with disabilities and make flying a far more dignified and less complicated experience. Veterans who feel they might need extra help getting through the airport should get in touch with TSA Cares at least three days before they plan to fly.