Effective October 1, 2011, the Department of Veterans Affairs has increased the amount of money granted to service-connected veterans under the one-time VA Auto Grant Program from $11,000 to $18,900.
If a veteran is approved for an auto grant and enters into negotiations with a mobility dealer, and then orders a vehicle and/or places a deposit on a vehicle, he or she would be eligible for up to $18,900 as long as the date of sale and submission to the VA for reimbursement is after October 1, 2011.
The original intent of the VA Auto Grant Program, which was established in 1946, was to cover the full cost of a vehicle, then about $1,600. With the new increase, the grant meets about 66% of an average vehicle’s cost. The auto allowance has also been indexed, which means that the amount of the grant will adjust for inflation each year.
For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Auto Grant Program.