Automobile allowance and adaptive equipment

What it is

Two separate VA benefits for Veterans and service members with certain service-connected disabilities: an automobile allowance toward a vehicle that fits your needs, and adaptive-equipment grants to change a vehicle, such as power steering, brakes, seats, windows or lift equipment.

"Vehicle" is broad. VA says the automobile allowance covers cars, vans, motor homes, commercial trucks and farm machines like tractors. For the automobile allowance, VA pays the seller directly. The seller sends VA the claim form and an itemized invoice.

How much

Automobile allowance: up to $27,908.90, effective 1 October 2026 (VA special benefit allowance rates page). VA updates it each October, so check the page for the current figure. That page does not list a separate dollar amount for adaptive equipment; VA's claim page says to review the current rates for special allowances.

Who qualifies

You must have a service-connected disability and at least one of these (VA page):

• Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet.
• Loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both hands.
• Permanent decreased vision (20/200 or worse in the better eye with glasses, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less).
• Severe burn injury.
• ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
• Ankylosis (a permanently stiff joint) in one or both knees or hips: adaptive equipment only, not the automobile allowance.

How to apply, step by step

1. Before you shop, file: for the automobile allowance, fill out VA Form 21-4502 (online, or mail it to the address printed on the form).
2. For adaptive equipment, fill out VA Form 10-1394 and bring it to the prosthetic representative at your local VA medical center.
3. Wait for VA's approval.
4. Only then buy the vehicle or equipment.

Traps

• Do not buy the vehicle or equipment before VA approves.
• The automobile allowance is not always once in a lifetime: VA's page lists a second allowance if you bought your vehicle with the allowance 30 years ago or more, or if a natural disaster destroyed it.
• The knee and hip ankylosis category gets equipment only.

Where to call and where to go

Phone

• VA benefits hotline: 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711). Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET. Number source: VA accrued benefits fact sheet; hours source: Helpful VA phone numbers.
• Veterans Crisis Line, 24/7: 988, then select 1. Source: Helpful VA phone numbers

Official pages

• VA: automobile allowance and adaptive equipment (apply online here)
• VA Form 21-4502
• VA Form 10-1394
• VA: current special benefit allowance rates
• Find your local VA medical center (prosthetic representative)

Free accredited help

• Find an accredited representative (attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization representative). VA says a VSO representative's help on VA claims is always free.