Many Handicap Van financing and loan companies allow you to apply online or over the phone. Affordable Handicap Van Loans & personal loans there are great Handicap Van loan options for your ideal handicapped van, low interest rate Handicap Van loans and bike loans, Online loan application and insurance quotes.

Persons with disabilities who find themselves in need of a handicapped accessible van may think that the costs are high and purchase or lease is not feasible. Due to the modifications that have to be made handicapped wheelchair vans can cost substantially more than other vehicles. There are many methods of financing your handicap van that will make purchase much easier.

Handicap Van Loans

Many lenders have special programs for financing the purchase of handicap accessible vans. These loans carry special interest rates that are lower than other rates. Additionally lenders will normally waive early pay off penalties. Due to the high initial costs many financing options for these vans include long terms of seven to ten years.

Grant Funding For Handicap Vans

Organizations and government agencies that assist disabled persons have grant sources available to assist in the purchase of handicap vans. These grants are subsidized by organizations or Federal agencies and are given to the purchasers with no strings attached. No repayment is required or expected. In many instances the grant will be paid directly to the retail seller of the van and delivery is made to the handicapped person who requires special transportation.

Government Grants

Government agencies such as the Office of Veterans Affairs or Health and Human Services have grants available to assist purchasers of handicapped accessible vehicles. These grants give free money to purchasers to subsidize the purchase. Finding resources can be time consuming as many programs are not widely advertised. When seeking such a grant it is important to be patient and check with any government agency that you are dealing with for assistance.

Non-Government Grants

Other non-governmental organizations offer grants to disabled veterans to assist in the purchase of a handicap van. Usually these are specifically aimed to help veterans and veterans’ families who are in need of handicap accessible transportation. The VFW, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans all have service officers available who can assist in tracking down grants for disabled veterans.

Grants for Children with Special Needs

One of the greatest challenges faced by a parent with a special needs or disabled child is finding transportation. Handicap vans with special features for children in wheelchairs are available. The cost, as with most specially equipped vehicles, is normally more than a non-equipped vehicle. Many non-governmental organizations that work with handicapped and special needs children can assist in finding funding sources and grants to subsidize the purchase of a wheelchair van. Organizations such as Easter Seals and local civic organizations such as Rotary or Lions clubs may have grants available or can assist in finding grants through national organizations.

Any person who is handicapped and receiving benefits and assistance from a Federal Agency such as Medicare may be eligible for a grant from the Medicare Fund. These grants are administered through the government and are limited to special needs situations. Medicare can also assist in financing options for handicap vans and may guarantee a financing option to limit fears lenders may have. These options need to be researched through Medicare case workers and local officers. Persons seeking assistance through Medicare should speak to a case worker. Mentioning programs such as the NTAF Emergency Grant Program will assist in getting the application in progress.

Local Fundraisers

Many local organizations and churches will gladly assist in finding funding sources for handicap accessible vans. Religious organizations are nonprofits whose goal is to assist persons in need. This assistance can come in the form of a grant or a loan. Local churches may also be able to organize fund raising event to generate funds that will be used to assist in purchasing a wheelchair van. These fundraisers are normally geared to a specific case or person and the church or social organization is held to a high level of accountability by law to insure the funds are properly used.

Persons who are in need of handicapped accessible transportation will do well to research all types of financing and grants. This article has only touched on the basics. Those who have certain types of specific disabilities or injuries may be able to secure a grant or funding from a nonprofit that is specific to that injury. Employers may have funding available or can assist in the purchase of a specialized vehicle to accommodate an employee. With research and diligence the proper funding will be found.

Vocational Therapy

When attempting to return to work, but needing reliable transportation, vocational rehabilitation agencies which are operated by the government may grant funding for obtaining a van and adaptive gear. An office of vocational rehabilitation will review the person’s financial documents and may take a number of months to reach a decision. They will review letters from doctors and medical records and consider the person’s ability to work when they evaluate their application.

Medicaid Insurance

Medicaid is a state insurance plan for people who have low income. It sometimes offers assistance for purchasing a vehicle or supplies the adaptive equipment required to make transportation an option. A lot of states have applications online or people can go to their local offices of health and human services to submit an application. These applications will require information about financial status, expenditures and additional information in order to consider applicants for Medicaid.

U. S. Veteran’s Administration

The United States Department of Veterans affair grants the United States military with the needed financial assistance so they can be prepared with a vehicle that includes adaptive equipment. Being eligible for this assistance consists of being an American veteran, having the loss of one or both feet or hands due to serving in the military, or a permanent vision change in one or both eyes, or unable to move due to problems with either or both knees or hips. The VA makes available a one-time payment of a maximum of $11,000 for purchasing a new vehicle or will pay for the repair, equipment or the installing of new equipment.

The Knights of Columbus

This group formed to give financial assistance to the Knights of Columbus members and the members’ families and to offer help to other people in the community. Assistance is often made available for those who are sick, disabled and in need. The KOC frequently subsidizes events to raise money for people who need wheelchair accessible vans. When seeking assistance, people may contact their local KOC group by searching online.

Government Provided Refund

The U.S. government, plus the auto-manufacturers offer rebates to assist with making the purchase or the conversion of a van more easily affordable. These refunds are given out after the work has been completed, so it is significant to look into the rebate arrangement before paying for wheelchair accessible vans or having them converted over. Some conversions include wheelchair ramps with 30 inch widths and 60 inch lengths.

Insurance Companies

People who are planning to upgrade a current van or convert a van to be accessible to their specific circumstances should be sure to contact their insurance company to find out if it covers the expense of upgrading or conversion.

Health Insurance does not usually cover a driver rehabilitation evaluation or training but you may be able to go through an organization that will bill your health insurance for a clinical assessment or occupational therapy. This will not apply in all cases. For those who need wheelchair van equipment funding or training and evaluation, it may be covered by automobile insurance and worker compensation if there has been an automobile accident or injury at work.

Some vocational agencies of the state may cover people who need services in regard to unemployment, a return to unemployment and long term unemployment. Homemakers may also get cover from the vocational rehabilitation agency if the state has this system. Veterans may be able to claim from the Veterans administration. For people without insurance there may be programs that give grants or have self-pay discounts that will pay for driver rehabilitation services.

Adaptive Equipment Funding

For those who need adaptive equipment for a vehicle there are funding resources available. Unfortunately similar to training and evaluation, health insurance generally does not cover the cost of vehicle adaptation. Any auto accident or injury at work may be covered by worker compensation or auto insurance but a check will be necessary to see if any wheelchair vans or vehicle adaptations are covered.

Car manufacturers in the United States have a rebate scheme for adaptive driving aids which goes up to $1000 for any lease or new vehicle purchased. Foreign manufactures often have this scheme as well.  If you are buying from a manufacturer who does not have a mobility rebate plan it is worth asking if they will equal an offer from a company that do have the rebate program.

Disabled Veterans

If you need to get to and from work the state’s vocation rehabilitation agency might cover all or at least some of the costs of adapting a vehicle. If an injury was acquired during service the VA may cover the cost but you may have to cover the costs of vehicle lifts yourself regardless of whether the injury was service related. Another good resource is the Paralyzed Veterans Association. These associations can be contacted locally and may have donated vehicles or resources for used vehicles.  You can check this out on the website just by clicking on “membership” to find your local branch.

MS and Disability Programs

People with MS often have hand controls that have been donated by the MS Society.  Check out the disability advocate agencies and see if they have a program of this nature. Michigan has a Michigan Technology Loan Fund which for qualifying individuals offers a loan guarantee and interest rate subsidy. This is good for making sure the vehicle can be financed for all its useful life rather than just its usual 12, 48 or 60 month period.