BVA reported two years ago on an enhanced transportation benefit for disabled veterans. Based on a handful of recent inquiries, many new Association members, and more readers of BVA Happenings than ever before, the topic deserves to be revisited and reemphasized. Prior to early 2023, VA offered a one-time, single-use automobile grant to those who needed to buy a specially adapted vehicle outright, but this all changed with the passage of the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities for Veterans (AUTO) Act of 2023.

Prior to 2023, multiple grants were available to add special adaptive equipment but, when it came to buying an already-adapted vehicle, the offer was limited to a single grant. The most important changes that occurred with the AUTO Act of 2023 concern those who have used the grant before and the timing of the grant. Specifically, the changes are these:

• Disabled veterans who have received an automobile grant in the past can receive it a second or even a third time.
• Disabled veterans may apply for an automobile grant once every ten years, but there is a phase-in period for this enhanced benefit.
• Disabled veterans who have used a vehicle grant before but have not done so in the past 30 years are eligible for anther grant.
• The wait period for receiving the second grant expires in 2032. For example, if you used the grant in 2017, you would be eligible after 15 years rather than 30.

Qualifying for the grant as a veteran with sight loss comes with decreased vision in both eyes and “20/200 vision or less in the better eye with glasses, or greater than 20/200 vision but with a visual field defect that has reduced peripheral vision to 20 degrees or less in the better eye.”

Additional information about eligibility for a vehicle grant and how to apply, including access to the appropriate forms, is available at VA.gov using the link below.