Veterans with severe disabilities may be eligible for a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to help buy a specially adapted vehicle or adapt an existing vehicle to make it drivable for them. There are two different grants: the VA Automobile Grant and the VA Automobile Special Adaptive Equipment Grant.
VA Automobile Grant
The automobile grant is available for veterans who buy a new or used vehicle and have service-connected disabilities including:
- Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet
- Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands
- Permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to a certain degree
- Severe burn injury
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
VA pays the grant directly to the seller of the automobile for the total price up to $25,603.02 effective Oct. 1, 2023. If the vehicle costs more than that amount, you must make up the difference.
You can receive this grant only one time.
VA Automobile Special Adaptive Equipment Grant
If you qualify for the automobile grant and suffer from joint immobility of your knees or hips as a result of your military service, you may also qualify for the adaptive equipment grant.
Adaptive equipment includes, but is not limited to, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, and special equipment necessary to assist the eligible person into and out of the vehicle. Contact your local VA medical center's prosthetic department before purchasing any equipment.
The adaptive equipment grant may be paid more than once, and it may be paid to either the seller or the veteran.
How to Apply for the Automobile and/or Special Adaptive Equipment Grant
You can apply for the automobile and/or the special adaptive equipment grant by completing VA Form 21-4502, Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment and submitting it to the local VA regional office. The instructions on the VA Form 21-4502 contain a list of adaptive equipment that has been pre-approved for particular disabilities.
If you are entitled to adaptive equipment only, you should complete VA Form 10-1394, Application for Adaptive Equipment -- Motor Vehicle and submit it to your local VA medical center.
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