A Veteran's Guide to Obtaining Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and Mobility Equipment
June 7, 2022
As a Veteran, you have paid the price of our freedom with your blood and sweat and we thank you. As a result of your service, there are many programs available to assist you in obtaining adaptive mobility equipment or even wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Quite a few grants and benefits are awarded by the Veterans Administration (VA) to help disabled veterans to improve their quality of life. The programs are awarded based on your health condition and whether you incurred the disability in line of active duty.
Veterans generally fall into the following two categories-
- Service-connected disability: You fall into this category if you have incurred any disability during your active duty. When it comes to financial assistance from the VA, you might be eligible for a one-time grant to purchase an accessible vehicle if you fall in this category.
- Non-service-connected disability: If your disability occurred outside your time in active duty, you fall into this category. A few examples might include veterans injured in an accident after their service has ended or veterans suffering from other forms of illness like stroke, ALS, or MS. There are a lot of financial programs available for veterans in this category as well. You can get more information about such programs by visiting your local VA office or the official VA website.
Let’s look into what grants and funding opportunities are available for you through the VA.
Service-connected programs
The two key programs that offer financial assistance to veterans incurring disability in line of active duty include-
- The auto allowance grant
- Automobile Adaptive Equipment Program
If you are eligible to reveive the benefits of any of these funding opportunities, you must be in the VA system. If you seek medical assistance through the VA hospitals, you are already in the system, and you don’t have to do anything else. If you are not, you might have to apply for health care through the VA before applying for these grants. You can read more about these service-connected programs by clicking here.
The auto allowance grant
You can use this grant to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, and it awards a sum of up to $22,355.72. The condition to receive this grant is that you must have acquired the disability or illness during active military service. Another thing to keep in mind with this grant is that it can be availed only once, and the amount is paid directly to the dealer when you purchase your vehicle.
Automobile adaptive equipment program
The program provides equipment and training to disabled veterans to safely enter, exit, and operate their vehicles.
According to the VA website, “VA’s program provides reimbursements for standard equipment including, but not limited to, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, and other special equipment necessary for the safe operation of an approved vehicle.”
You can obtain financial aid through this program more than once, and the amount is paid directly to the vendor.
Here at Harmar, we can help you choose the right adaptive equipment for your vehicle. We have a network of authorized dealers throughout the country, and you can find a dealer closest to you by clicking here.
Non-service-connected programs
The main non-service-connected program is the Van Modification Ingress/Egress program. The program offers financial assistance to the veterans for modification of their existing vehicles with access equipment allowing safe entry and exit. If you have health conditions including MS, ALS, Paraplegia, or loss of use of both lower extremities, you might be eligible for this grant.
The grant can be used for non-operational equipment, including wheelchair lifts, tie-downs, and passenger transfer seats.
Get help with finding the right equipment for you.
Take all the help you need to find the right equipment to make your vehicle fit your needs. It is also not a bad idea to check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to learn more about regulations regarding legal modifications for accessibility devices in your vehicle. Finally, if you need assistance deciding which accessibility equipment will be the best to suit your needs, you can contact your local Harmar dealer for a free consultation.
Help for veterans
There is a lot of help for veterans looking to obtain wheelchair-accessible vehicles or other mobility equipment. Even if the VA cannot provide you with the entire cost of the equipment, there are several other financial avenues, including payment programs.
Harmar is committed to serving the nation’s heroes in their time of need. We offer a wide range of vehicle lifts designed to transport mobility devices, including manual and powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. In addition, we have a nationwide network of authorized dealers who will be more than happy to assist you in finding the right vehicle lift for your car, truck, or van.
Visit our website today to find the best vehicle lift for you.
