Have you been wondering “what is TSA cares?” If you aren’t from the United States this question may have crossed your mind.
TSA Cares is a support service run by the US Transportation Security Administration for travellers who may need extra help or information when going through airport security screening.
It is designed for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances. This can include autistic travellers, people with mobility aids, travellers with medical devices, families with children and anyone who may need additional support understanding or completing the screening process.
TSA Cares support does not replace airline special assistance. It is specifically for help related to the TSA security checkpoint.
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If you are planning a wider trip, our United States with autistic children guide also covers practical travel planning for families.
What Does TSA Cares Do?
TSA Cares provides information about airport security screening and can help coordinate support for eligible travellers at the checkpoint.
The service can explain what to expect during screening, what procedures may apply to medical equipment or mobility aids, and what support may be available if a disability or medical condition makes the process more difficult.
In some cases, TSA Cares can arrange for a Passenger Support Specialist to assist you during screening.
Who Can Use TSA Cares?
TSA says the service is for travellers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances. For a more complete and up-to-date list please refer to the TSA Cares information page.
This can include people who are autistic, have reduced mobility, use a wheelchair or other mobility aid, have a medical device, travel with medication, have a hidden disability or need additional support during security screening.
You do not need to assume that your support need is too minor to ask about. If a disability, medical condition or other circumstance may affect how you go through security, TSA Cares can explain the relevant screening process.
Is TSA Cares for Autistic Children?
Yes. TSA specifically provides guidance for screening travellers on the autism spectrum.
TSA Cares can be particularly useful if security screening may be difficult because of communication needs, sensory sensitivities, anxiety, difficulty with unexpected touch, difficulty waiting in busy queues or uncertainty about the screening process.
When making a request, describe what would help rather than relying only on a diagnosis. For example, you could explain that the traveller may not respond quickly to verbal instructions, may become distressed by unexpected physical contact or may need instructions given slowly and one step at a time.
How to Request TSA Cares Assistance
TSA recommends contacting TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel if you have questions about screening or want to request assistance.
You can request help through the official TSA Cares online assistance form or call the TSA Cares helpline on 855-787-2227.
The helpline is currently available on weekdays from 8 am to 11 pm Eastern Time and on weekends and US federal holidays from 9 am to 8 pm Eastern Time.
If you are calling from outside the United States, remember that these opening hours are in US Eastern Time. To the left is EST time.
What Is a Passenger Support Specialist?
A Passenger Support Specialist, often shortened to PSS, is a TSA officer who has received additional training to support travellers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances during security screening.
A Passenger Support Specialist can help explain the screening process, communicate with other TSA officers and provide support as you move through the checkpoint.
Requesting TSA Cares support does not mean that every screening step will be removed. Security requirements still apply, and TSA decides what screening is necessary.
Does TSA Cares Let You Skip the Security Queue?
No. TSA Cares is an assistance service, not a fast-track or priority-security programme.
Its purpose is to support you through screening and provide information about the procedures that apply to your circumstances. It should not be thought of as a way to bypass normal security requirements.
What Happens at the Airport?
If support has been arranged, follow the instructions given by TSA Cares about where and when to meet the Passenger Support Specialist.
It is sensible to arrive with enough time for screening and any additional assistance. Security checkpoints can be busy, and support may take longer than standard screening.
Even when TSA Cares support has been requested, keep any relevant medication, medical devices, mobility aids or other required items accessible so you can explain or present them during screening if needed. You might find it helpful to store backup copies of medication information, mobility aid instructions and other important travel paperwork in a Google Drive do you can access them if you lost physical copies.
Can a Parent or Carer Request TSA Cares?
Yes. A parent, carer or family member can contact TSA Cares about the screening needs of the person they are travelling with.
For an autistic child or adult who finds unfamiliar procedures stressful, contacting TSA in advance can help the family understand what is likely to happen and what support can be requested.
You may also find our guide to travelling with autistic children helpful when it comes to planning a trip with an autistic child.
What Information Should You Give TSA Cares?
When requesting assistance, explain the practical support need as clearly as possible.
Useful information can include whether the traveller uses a wheelchair or other mobility device, has difficulty standing, has a medical device, becomes distressed by touch, finds verbal instructions difficult to process or needs extra time during screening.
You do not need to turn the request into a long medical history. Focus on what TSA officers need to know to make the screening process more manageable.
Travelling With Medication and Medical Equipment
TSA Cares can provide information if you are travelling with medication, medical equipment or assistive devices that may affect security screening.
The exact screening process can depend on what you are carrying, so check the current TSA guidance before departure.
Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids
TSA provides separate guidance for travellers using wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids.
TSA Cares can explain how the screening process may work with your mobility device and what alternatives may be available if you cannot stand or walk through standard screening equipment.
Remember that airport or airline wheelchair assistance and TSA Cares assistance are different services. Your airline normally arranges help moving through the airport, while TSA Cares relates to the security checkpoint. You can learn more about airport assistance in our guide to getting help at the airport if you have a disability.
Can You Use a TSA Disability Notification Card?
TSA provides a Disability Notification Card that passengers can use to discreetly communicate a disability, medical condition or other circumstance to TSA officers.
The card can be useful if explaining your needs verbally is difficult. It does not exempt you from screening and is not a substitute for contacting TSA Cares if you need more substantial support.
You can download the TSA Disability Notification Card and write the information you need to communicate discreetly on it.
TSA Cares Support and Hidden Disabilities
You do not need to use a wheelchair or have a visible disability to contact TSA Cares.
Autism, anxiety, learning disabilities, sensory processing differences and some medical conditions may not be obvious to security staff. Explaining the practical effect of the disability before travel can make it easier for TSA to understand what assistance may be useful.
Head to our dedicated guide for more general advice about airport assistance with a hidden disability and don’t forget to look into using a Sunflower Lanyard to discreetly show that you may need extra support or time when in the airport.
A TSA Cares Checklist
| TSA Cares preparation checklist | Done |
|---|---|
| Contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel where possible. | ☐ |
| Explain the practical support you need at security. | ☐ |
| Ask whether a Passenger Support Specialist can assist you. | ☐ |
| Check current TSA guidance for medication, mobility aids or medical devices. | ☐ |
| Arrange airline or airport special assistance separately if you need help outside the security checkpoint. | ☐ |
| Allow enough time at the airport for additional screening or support. | ☐ |
| Keep any relevant documents, medication or medical equipment accessible. | ☐ |
What Is TSA Cares? FAQs
What is TSA Cares?
TSA Cares is a support service run by the Transportation Security Administration for travellers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances who need information or assistance during airport security screening.
How far in advance should I contact TSA Cares?
TSA recommends contacting TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel if you have questions about screening or want to request assistance.
Can we use TSA cares for autism?
Yes. TSA provides specific support information for travellers on the autism spectrum. Families can contact TSA Cares before travel to explain support needs and ask what assistance may be available during security screening.
Is TSA Cares free?
TSA Cares is a TSA passenger-support service and there is no separate TSA Cares assistance fee.
Does TSA Cares let you skip security?
No. TSA Cares provides support during screening but does not remove security requirements or function as a fast-track security service.
What is a TSA Passenger Support Specialist?
A Passenger Support Specialist is a TSA officer with additional training to assist travellers with disabilities, medical conditions and other special circumstances during security screening.
TSA procedures can change. Before travel, check the current official TSA Cares guidance and submit assistance requests through the official TSA website.
Continue Planning Your Trip to the United States
- Start with our North America with autistic children guide to explore more destinations and practical family travel advice across the region
- Find out what to expect when visiting the United States with kids
- Learn more about what Preclearance for the US is and where you can do it
- Use our guide to the US ESTA for those eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme for entering the US
- Travelling with a hidden disability? Learn more about using the Sunflower Lanyard when you travel
For a full list of guides that can help you plan a trip to the United States with autistic children check out our United States archives.
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With Our Guides
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