VA launches pilot program to speed Veterans’ access to services, care, benefits

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs today launched a new pilot program at six VA facilities to help Veterans establish VA.gov accounts faster than ever before, which means speedier access to VA services, care and benefits.

VA has worked with technology and security company CLEAR to deploy CLEAR pods at six VA hospitals across the country. Veterans who want to create a new account on VA.gov can use these pods to sign up in a matter of minutes with the assistance of VA staff.

Starting today, this faster option for setting up a VA.gov account is available at VA medical centers in Atlanta; Brooklyn, New York; Orlando, Florida; Palo Alto, California; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Washington, D.C. VA will consider expanding this system to other facilities pending the results of this pilot program.

CLEAR uses the same scanning technology used at airports and other secure locations to create an easier way to establish a VA.gov account for Veterans who may have mobility, connectivity or other challenges when they try to sign up at home. Here’s how it works:

• Veterans can visit any participating medical center with a valid, non-expired government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport, along with a phone number and personal email address.
• VA staff will help Veterans quickly enter their information and have Veterans take a photo at the CLEAR pod, which sets up the account in a matter of minutes.
• Veterans can set up face ID or other recognition tools so they can use CLEAR to access their VA accounts at home in a matter of seconds.

This process for creating and signing into VA.gov accounts will make it easier for Veterans to take full advantage of their VA benefits online, including:

• Scheduling healthcare appointments both in VA and in the community and finding nearby facilities for community care.
• Reviewing after-visit summaries of their healthcare appointments.
• Sending and receiving secure messages with their healthcare providers.
• Refilling prescriptions.
• Applying for disability compensation.
• Submitting for routine benefits, like healthcare-related travel reimbursements.
• Checking the status of benefits applications, including disability compensation and burial/memorial benefits.

“Veterans want better customer service and convenience, and under President Trump, VA is delivering,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “This technology is another way we’re changing VA to put Veterans first and make it easier for those who have worn the uniform to get the care and benefits they’ve earned.”

Using CLEAR to gain secure access to VA.gov is free and optional. Veterans can continue using existing options if they prefer. Choosing not to log in to VA.gov with CLEAR will not affect Veterans’ ability to access VA benefits or services. Veterans’ personal health information stays with the VA. CLEAR does not receive or access it and does not sell biometric or sensitive personal data.

This new pilot program is one of several ways the Trump Administration is making VA work better for Veterans. since Jan. 20, 2025, VA has:

• Enrolled more than 290,000 new Veterans in VA healthcare in 2026.
• Opened 43 new VA healthcare facilities, expanding healthcare access for Veterans around the country.
• Completed a record high 82,083,918 direct care appointments in fiscal year 2025, up 4.1% from FY 2024.
• Completed a record high 59,989,662 community care appointments in FY 2025, up 12% from FY 2024.
• Offered Veterans more than 3.2 million appointments outside of normal operating hours, giving Veterans more timely and convenient options for care.