Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment

What it is

A serious service-connected disability can make it hard to drive or even get into a vehicle. VA offers two kinds of help:

• Automobile allowance: A one-time payment of up to $27,908.90 (effective Oct. 1, 2026) to help buy a car, truck or van. VA usually pays the seller directly.
• Adaptive equipment grant: Money for features that help you drive or ride, like power steering, power brakes, power seats and windows, hand controls, wheelchair lifts, or a raised roof or door. You may get this more than once over time.

Who qualifies

You need a service-connected disability (or one treated as service connected because of VA care) that includes at least one of these:

• Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet
• Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands
• Permanent vision loss in both eyes, at 20/200 or worse in the better eye with glasses, or a field of vision of 20 degrees or less
• A severe burn injury
• ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)

If you have ankylosis (a stiff, frozen joint) in one or both knees or hips, you can get the adaptive equipment grant but not the car allowance.

How the money works

VA normally pays the car allowance directly to the seller, not to you. The amount can go toward a new or used vehicle, but it won't be more than the vehicle's price. You pay the rest, plus taxes, registration and insurance. The adaptive equipment grant is separate. It can pay for installing approved equipment, and in some cases for repairs or replacement of that equipment later. VA updates the allowance amount each October.

Can I get it more than once?

The car allowance is usually once in a lifetime. You may get a second one if you bought your last vehicle with a VA allowance 30 or more years ago, or if a natural disaster destroyed it, it wasn't your fault, and insurance didn't already pay you.

How to apply, step by step

1. Don't buy anything yet. You must apply and get approved first.
2. For the car allowance, apply online or with VA Form 21-4502.
3. For adaptive equipment, fill out VA Form 10-1394 and give it to the prosthetics representative at your VA medical center.
4. Get a driver evaluation if needed. VA may refer you to a driver rehabilitation specialist to see what equipment you need and train you to use it.
5. Pick your vehicle and seller. The seller must agree to send VA the completed form and an itemized invoice.
6. VA pays you or the seller once approved. Keep all paperwork.

Mistakes to avoid

• Buying first. VA may not pay for anything you buy before approval.
• Missing the adaptive grant. Even if you've used the allowance, you may qualify for equipment again on a later vehicle.
• Skipping the driver evaluation. The right equipment makes a big difference in safety.
• Assuming you need 100%. It's based on the specific disability, not your combined rating.

Related benefits

See our guides on Special Monthly Compensation, Specially Adapted Housing grants, HISA grants, hearing aids and prosthetics, and the clothing allowance.