Travel Reimbursement Increases Announced for Eligible Veterans

WASHINGTON Eligible veterans will see an increase in the mileage reimbursement they receive for travel to VA facilities for medical care. The mileage reimbursement has been raised from the 28.5 cents per mile to 41.5 cents per mile for all eligible veterans. Congress, which mandates such increases, recently provided funding to VA to increase the reimbursement rate, which goes into effect on November 17, 2008. Service connected veterans, veterans receiving VA pensions, and veterans with low incomes are eligible for the reimbursement. While increasing the payment, the current deductible amounts applied to certain mileage reimbursements will remain frozen at $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, and capped at a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. On January 9, 2009, these deductibles will decrease to $3 for a one way trip, $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $16 per calendar month. Deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.