DISABILITY COMPENSATION

AUTOMOBILE AND SPECIAL ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT GRANTS

CAN A VETERAN RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM VA TO 

PURCHASE AN AUTOMOBILE? 

Yes. Financial assistance, in the form of a grant, is available to purchase a new or used automobile (or 

other conveyance) to accommodate a Veteran or Servicemember with certain disabilities that resulted 

from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated during active military service. The grant may also be 

paid if disabilities are a result of medical treatment, examination, vocational rehabilitation, or 

compensated work therapy provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The grant is paid directly to the seller of the automobile for the total price (up to $20,114.34) of 

the automobile. The Veteran or Servicemember may only receive the automobile grant once in his/

her lifetime. 

WHAT DISABILITES MUST YOU HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR THE AUTOMOBILE GRANT?

A Veteran or Servicemember must have one of the following disabilities to qualify for the automobile 

grant:

• 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)

DOES VA PAY TO ADAPT A VEHICLE?

Yes. Those qualified for the automobile grant, and Veterans or Servicemembers with ankylosis 

(immobility of the joint) of one or both knees or hips resulting from an injury or disease incurred or 

aggravated by active military service may also qualify for the adaptive equipment grant. 

Disabilities determined by VA to be related to your military service can lead to monthly non-taxable compensation, enrollment in the 

VA health care system, a 10-point hiring preference for federal employment and other important benefits. Ask your VA 

representative or Veterans Service Organization representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Caregiver 

Program, Career Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance and/or Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits.
Adaptive equipment includes, but not limited to, power steering, power windows, power seats, and 

special equipment necessary to assist the eligible person into and out of the vehicle. 

Contact should be made with your local VA medical center’s Prosthetic Department prior to 

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 CAN I APPLY FOR AN 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 your local VA regional office. The instructions on the VA Form 21-4502 contain a list 

of adaptive equipment that has been preapproved for particular disabilities.

Note: After you complete and submit Section I of the application, VA will complete Section II and 

return the original to you. You are responsible for obtaining the invoice from the seller, updating 

Section III, and submitting the form to your local VA regional office for payment.

If you are entitled to adaptive equipment only (i.e., service connected for ankylosis of knees or hips) 

you should complete VA Form 10-1394, Application for Adaptive Equipment – Motor Vehicle, and 

submit it to equipment not specified on the VA Form 21-4502.

Compensation Service– February 2015