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Today I want to talk about some special benefits, special being that you must be considered a severely disabled veteran to be awarded these benefits.

A. The Automobile Grant: 

Any veteran who as a result of an injury or disease incurred or aggravated by active service has suffered:

1. the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet;

2. the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands;

3. the permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain prescribed degree: or

4. any member of the armed forces serving on active duty who is suffering from any disability described above, if such disability is the result of an injury incurred or a disease contracted in or aggravated by active military service; is entitled to assistance toward the purchase price of an automobile or other conveyance in an amount not to exceed $11000.00.

Application for this benefit is made on VA Form 21-4502, and should be referred to the Department of Veterans Affairs (your local regional office) for approval prior to any contractual agreement between the veteran and seller. As this is a one time payment only, there is no additional payment for those who may have received a prior grant.

Keep in mind you must be service connected for one of the conditions listed above,  If you request the automobile grant with out first being awarded service connection the automobile grant will be denied automatically.  You may request service connection for one of the conditions listed above at the same time you request the automobile adapted grant.

Once the approval has been made the VA Form 21-4502 will be signed by a VA representative and returned to you. Once you have received the grant you take the 21-4502 to any automobile dealer who will honor it as a cash down payment on any vehicle new or used.

Keep in mind some dealers will work with you better than others.  As an example a local dealer in San Antonio Texas will work with you to insure that you do not have to pay the Texas State sales tax at the time of purchase, while others will charge the tax, and you will have to request a refund from the state.  Some dealers will insure you know that they offer a $1000.00 rebate if you must adapt your vehicle with a wheelchair lift for example. You get this rebate regardless of who actually pays for the wheelchair lift, you or a VA program or some other grant.  Other dealers will allow you to use the adaptive equipment reimbursement program (if you are eligible) as part of your down payment if you are also granted adapted equipment.  (I will cover adaptive equipment for automobiles next.)  If you are a member of the Disabled American Veterans you will receive a special discount from Ford.  Considering all that I have mentioned a Veteran who needs a ramp equipped full size Van that has a raised roof can expect to pay about $40000.00 for such a van. Now with the right dealer and considering all the programs available as mentioned above a veteran needing such a van can expect as much as $25000.00 toward the purchased of the vehicle.  In my example the veterans own cost of the vehicle is $15000.00 which can be financed for up to 7 years (depending on the dealer).  For those veterans that need an adapted vehicle this is a wonderful program.

B. Adaptive Equipment: 

In addition to the automobile allowance of $11000, an eligible veteran or service member is also entitled to the adaptive equipment authorized by the VA as is necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle.

 The eligibility requirements for veterans to receive the adaptive equipment are based on;

1. the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet;

2. the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands;

3. the permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain prescribed degree: or

4. any member of the armed forces serving on active duty who is suffering from any disability described above, if such disability is the result of an injury incurred or a disease contracted in or aggravated by active military service.

Automobile adaptive equipment eligibility may also be extended to veterans who receive disability compensation for ankylosis of one or both knees or hips. NOTE:  Veterans who have this level of disability are only eligible for the adaptive equipment and not the automobile adapted grant.

Automobile adaptive equipment may also be furnished to a Chapter 31 beneficiary when VR&E determines that adaptive equipment is necessary to overcome an employment handicap to which a service connected disability materially contributes and to achieve the goals of the program of rehabilitation.

Adapted equipment which is a part of, or added to a vehicle and which is specified for the claimant’s disability by directive of the Chief Medical Director, qualifies as adaptive equipment.

There is an exception to the above rules of eligibility.  Blind applicants nor any other case where the veteran or service member must have a driver because of physical disability or lack of a valid state drivers license or learners permit will be granted adapted equipment.

In some instances a veteran will be referred to a VA drivers training program specialist. The specialist will determine what adaptive equipment the veteran needs and will write a prescription to conform to the needs of the veteran. Unlike the automobile adaptive grant which is administered by the regional offices, the adaptive equipment program is administered at the local VA Medical Center within the Prosthesis Department.  If you are authorized adapted equipment you can only have two vehicles in the program.

For more on the automobile adaptive equipment download VA Handbook 1173.4

For more information concerning the VA Drivers Rehabilitation Program download VA Handbook 1173.16,

For application of the automobile adaptive grant and adaptive equipment download VA Form 21-4502

For adaptive equipment reinbursement rates down load VHA Directive 2006- 034

http://www.vvic.org/pdfs/Forms/VA%20Form%2021-4502.pdf

http://www.vvic.org/pdfs/Forms/VA%20Form%2021-4502.pdf

 http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=435 

http://www1.va.gov/vhapublications/ViewPublication.asp?pub_ID=1430

Look for my next installment concerning special benefits coming soon! 

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