What to Bring and Do at Airport Security When You Have a Disability

What TSA Cares does and what you need to bring

TSA Cares is a notification program that alerts TSA officers at your airport that you are arriving with a disability, medical condition, or mobility device. It does not bypass security screening — you still go through the same metal detectors, body scanners, and bag checks as other travelers. What it does is give officers advance notice so they can have the right staff ready, explain procedures in advance, and allow extra time without rushing you.

To use TSA Cares, you contact the program at least 72 hours before your flight. You provide your flight number, airport, and a brief description of your disability or medical need. TSA then notifies the screening officers at your departure airport. On the day you travel, you tell the officer at the checkpoint that you used TSA Cares, and they will have your information.

You still need to bring the same documents every traveler brings: a valid ID and your boarding pass. If you have a service animal, bring documentation that shows it is trained to perform a task related to your disability — not just a pet. If you use medical equipment, bring any paperwork that came with it, though TSA does not always require it.

Key Takeaways

• Contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before your flight by calling 855-787-2227, using the online form, or texting your flight details to the program.
• TSA Cares notifies officers at your airport in advance, but you still go through standard security screening — it does not create a separate line or skip procedures.
• Bring your ID, boarding pass, and any documentation for service animals or medical equipment you are traveling with.
• Tell the officer at the checkpoint that you used TSA Cares so they know to reference your advance notification.
• You can request a private screening room, a companion to accompany you through security, or extra time to remove shoes or other items if you need it.

How to contact TSA Cares before your trip

You have three ways to notify TSA Cares: by phone, online form, or text message. The phone number is 855-787-2227, and the line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time. You will need your flight number, departure airport, and a brief description of your disability or medical need. The staff member will confirm your information and tell you that notification has been sent to your airport.

If you prefer not to call, you can fill out the online form on the TSA website. You provide the same information: flight number, airport, and disability description. The form takes a few minutes. You can also text your flight details to TSA Cares if you have the text number, though calling or using the online form is more reliable because you get immediate confirmation.

Contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before your flight. If your flight is sooner than that, call anyway — TSA will still try to notify your airport, though there is no may provide the message will reach officers in time. If you are traveling round-trip, you need to notify TSA for both your outbound and return flights separately.

What happens at security when you arrive

When you reach the security checkpoint, tell the TSA officer that you used TSA Cares. They will look up your advance notification and know what to expect. The officer may ask you to describe your disability or medical need again — this is normal and helps them understand how to help you. Be direct: if you cannot remove your shoes quickly, say so. If you need a companion to come through security with you, ask for it now.

You will still go through the standard screening process. This means your bags go through the X-ray machine, and you go through either a metal detector or a body scanner. If you have a prosthetic limb, joint replacement, or other metal implant, tell the officer before screening begins. They can do a pat-down instead of sending you through the scanner, or they can clear you after the scanner alerts.

If you use a cane, walker, crutches, or wheelchair, you can bring it through security with you. The officer may swab it for explosives residue, but you do not have to leave it behind. If you use a service animal, it goes through security with you as well. The animal does not go through the scanner or metal detector — the officer will visually inspect it and may pat it down.

Medical equipment and devices you can bring through security

Most medical devices are allowed through security without being removed or screened separately. Insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, pacemakers, and similar devices do not need to come off. You do not need to remove them, and they will not set off the metal detector in a way that stops you — TSA officers are trained to recognize them.

If you carry medication in liquid or gel form — such as insulin, saline solution, or ointment — you can bring it in quantities larger than the standard 3.4-ounce limit. You do need to tell the officer that you have medication and where it is. Keep it in a clear bag or easily accessible so you can show it. The officer may swab it or open it to verify what it is, but you will not have to throw it away.

Mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and canes go through security with you. If you use a wheelchair, you can stay in it through the metal detector if it is non-metal, or you can transfer to a chair the airport provides. The officer will explain your options. If your wheelchair is electric, TSA may ask to inspect the battery, but you can still take it on the plane if it meets airline rules.

Requesting a private screening or companion assistance

You have the right to request a private screening room if you feel uncomfortable being screened in public. This might apply if you have a condition that requires you to remove clothing, if you have trauma-related anxiety, or if you simply prefer privacy. Tell the officer at the checkpoint that you want a private screening. They will direct you to a separate room where one or two officers will conduct your screening out of public view.

You can also request that a companion — a family member, friend, or caregiver — accompany you through the entire security process. This person does not need to go through security themselves if they are not flying; they can go with you to the checkpoint, through screening, and to the gate. Tell the officer you need a companion, and they will allow it. This is especially useful if you need help removing items, managing medical equipment, or communicating with officers.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can request a sign language interpreter or written communication. If you are blind or have low vision, you can ask an officer to describe the screening process and guide you through it. These accommodations are your right under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and TSA officers are trained to provide them.

What to expect if you travel frequently

If you travel more than once or twice a year, you may want to look into TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, though these are separate paid programs and not part of TSA Cares. TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets you go through a faster security line where you can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on. CLEAR costs $179 to $189 per year and lets you skip the ID check line entirely by using biometric scanning. Some people with disabilities find these programs reduce stress and wait time, though they are not required.

If you use TSA Cares regularly, keep a record of the confirmation numbers or dates you contacted the program. This helps if there is ever a question about whether notification was sent. You do not need to do anything special to renew TSA Cares — you simply contact the program before each trip.

If you have a disability that changes or worsens, you can update your TSA Cares notification. Just call or use the online form again and provide new information. There is no limit to how many times you can use the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell TSA what my specific disability is?

No. You can describe your disability in general terms — for example, "mobility impairment," "anxiety disorder," or "chronic pain" — without going into medical detail. TSA only needs enough information to know what kind of accommodation might help. If you prefer, you can simply say you have a disability and need extra time or a private screening.

What if I forget to contact TSA Cares before my flight?

Tell the officer at the checkpoint that you have a disability and need accommodation. They can still provide extra time, a private screening, or a companion, even without advance notification. TSA Cares just makes the process smoother because officers are already prepared, but you have rights to accommodation regardless.

Can I bring a service dog through security?

Yes. Service animals trained to perform a task related to your disability go through security with you. The dog does not go through the metal detector or scanner. The officer will visually inspect it and may pat it down. Emotional support animals or pets are not treated the same way and may not be allowed through security without a ticket.

Will TSA Cares slow me down or make me stand out?

TSA Cares is designed to speed up your screening by having officers ready and informed. You will not be singled out or treated differently — officers simply know in advance what you need. If anything, it reduces the back-and-forth questions and explanations that can make screening take longer.

Can I bring my caregiver or family member through security with me?

Yes. You can request a companion to accompany you through the entire security checkpoint. They do not need a boarding pass or ticket. Tell the officer at the checkpoint that you need a companion, and they will be allowed through with you.