Automobile allowance and adaptive equipment
If you have a disability related to your service that prevents you from driving, you may be able to get money to help you buy or change a vehicle so you can drive. Types of vehicles covered by VA automobile allowance include cars, vans, motor homes, commercial trucks, and farm machines like tractors. Keep reading to find out if you may be eligible.
Am I eligible for these benefits from VA?
Eligibility requirements
You may be eligible for VA automobile allowance or adaptive-equipment benefits if you have a disability that’s related to your service (called a service-connected disability) and that includes at least one of these conditions.
At least one of these must be true for you:
- You have loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet, or
- You have loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands, or
- You have permanent decreased vision in both eyes: 20/200 vision or less in your better eye with glasses, or greater than 20/200 vision but with a visual field defect that has reduced your peripheral vision to 20 degrees or less in your better eye, or
- You have a severe burn injury, or
- You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or
- You have ankylosis in one or both knees or hips (this qualifies you only for an adaptive-equipment grant)
You’ll need to show that your disability is service connected or treated as if service connected under 38 U.S.C. 1151. Learn more about 38 U.S.C. 1151
Eligibility for a second automobile allowance
You may be eligible for a second automobile allowance if either of these is true:
- You bought a vehicle with VA automobile allowance 30 years ago or more, or
- A natural disaster destroyed a vehicle you bought with VA automobile allowance
If a natural disaster destroyed a vehicle you bought with VA automobile allowance, both of these must be true:
- It’s not your fault your vehicle was destroyed, and
- Your property insurance didn’t already compensate you for the loss of your vehicle
If you meet these requirements, you can submit another Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment (VA Form 21-4502).
What kind of benefits can I get?
- A payment to help you buy a specially equipped vehicle (called automobile allowance), or
- In some situations, one or more adaptive-equipment grants to change a vehicle so it has features like power steering, brakes, seats, windows, or lift equipment to help you get into and out of the vehicle
Can I buy a vehicle or adaptive equipment first, then file my claim?
No. You’ll need to file your claim and get our approval before you buy a vehicle or adaptive equipment.
Also, before you buy a vehicle or adaptive equipment, make sure that the seller agrees to send us the completed claim form and an itemized invoice. We need these documents to process your claim.
How do I get these benefits?
You’ll need to submit one of the forms listed here. You can apply for—and use—either grant before or after military discharge.
For automobile allowance to help you buy a specially equipped vehicle
You’ll need to fill out an Application for Automobile or Other Conveyance and Adaptive Equipment (VA Form 21-4502). Mail it to the address listed on the form.
Get VA Form 21-4502 to download
We’ll pay the vehicle’s seller directly.
Note: You must have a service-connected condition to get a specially equipped vehicle. If you haven’t filed a claim for disability compensation yet, you’ll need to do that first.
Find out how to file a claim for disability compensation
For the adaptive-equipment grant
You’ll need to fill out an Application for Adaptive Equipment—Motor Vehicle (VA Form 10-1394).
Get VA Form 10-1394 to download
Bring it to the prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center.
Find a VA medical center near you
We may pay you, or we may pay the equipment seller directly.
Note: You must have a service-connected disability to get an adaptive-equipment grant. If you haven’t filed a claim for disability compensation yet, you’ll need to do that first.
What happens after I submit the form?
If you’re eligible, we’ll complete the authorization section of the form you submitted. This shows our approval of the benefit.
We’ll send the form back to you.
You’ll buy the vehicle or adaptive equipment.
When you go to receive your vehicle from the seller, you’ll bring the original form (not a copy) with you. You’ll need to sign and date the form to acknowledge that you received the vehicle. Then, give the signed form to the seller.
The seller will send us the form and an itemized invoice.
We’ll send the payment to the seller.
What if I have questions about these benefits?
You can call us at 800-827-1000. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.