Many of our readers have asked how to get a free wheelchair van! Fortunately, we’ve found several ways to get help with an adapted vehicle or with vehicle modification grants.
Modified vehicles are expensive.
A wheelchair van can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000, according to Consumer Affairs. That’s a lot of money, especially for people who are living with a disability and may be barely getting by on fixed disability benefits.
Fortunately, there are many resources that can help.
Can I get a free wheelchair van from Medicare or Medicaid?
Unfortunately, these programs typically do not provide wheelchair vans or conversions. They both follow Medicare rules and Medicare typically only covers medically necessary durable medical equipment (or DME) that your doctor prescribes for use in your home.
Can I get a free wheelchair van from Free Charity Cars or Ways to Work?
Although I love these organizations and they do provide free cars, I don’t honestly believe these are your best bet for getting a free wheelchair van. You can always try… but I wouldn’t personally expect it to work. You may have better luck with a GoFundMe.
There are some nationwide organizations that help with wheelchair vans.
These organizations help people across the United States obtain adapted vehicles.
Special Kids Fund
The Special Kids Fund helps adults and children all over the USA with handicap-adapted vehicles. In order to qualify, you must be able to show that you cannot afford a vehicle on your own. Application instructions can be found on their website.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans may be able to get help from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA program provides a one-time cash payment to help you purchase a specially adapted vehicle. The payment is $22,355.72 as of October 1, 2021.
Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation
The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation can provide up to $10,000 toward a van purchase or conversion. However, you must have all other payments in place in order to receive funding. On their website, the organization explains it this way: “If requesting $7,000 toward a $30,000 van, you must have already obtained $23,000 to complete the transaction.”
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation offers an Assistive Technology Program that may be able to assist you with vehicle modifications if you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Details can be found on their website.
Some manufacturers offer rebates as well.
If you don’t qualify for any of these programs, you may be interested to know about the manufacturer rebates for wheelchair vans. The rebates from Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota are typically worth about $1,000.
There are many local organizations that may help with wheelchair vans.
There are several agencies that exist to help people with disabilities. Many of those agencies can assist with the cost of modified vehicles, and we’ve included a list of these agencies below.
However, it’s important to note that these agencies and programs vary widely across America so we cannot guarantee that these agencies will offer free wheelchair vans or vehicle modification grants. You’ll need to contact your local organizations for details.
Centers for Independent Living
There are Centers for Independent Living all over the United States. These organizations are designed to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible. Even if they can’t give you a free wheelchair van themselves, they’ll likely know about any organizations in your area that can assist with this.
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
In some states, you may be able to receive a grant for a wheelchair van or conversion if it is necessary for you to find and maintain employment. For example, “transportation evaluations” and “vehicle modifications” are listed in Washington State’s Department of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Assistive Technology Services list.
Department of Rehabilitation Services
Most states have a Department of Rehabilitation Services that can help you find referrals and connect with state disability resources. If you need help with a wheelchair van, then this is a great place to start.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Most states have Aging and Disability Resource Centers. These organizations usually receive federal funding to help seniors and disabled people in their communities, but not all organizations offer the same services. If you’re looking for help with a wheelchair van, this organization may be able to help you or provide a referral.
Americans with Disabilities Act Center
Many states have an Americans with Disabilities Act Center. Since this organization works closely with the disabled community, they may have additional resources and referrals that can help.
Assisted Technology Exchanges
Many states have Assisted Technology Exchanges that assist with Durable Medical Equipment. These exchanges may be able to help you locate free or low-cost wheelchair vans in your area.
i am looking for any help that i can get cause my husband is paralyzed on his left side cause he had a stroke and he had to have brain surgery if they is any programs in kentucky please i need help my husband has to have 24/7 care
Hi Diana. If the resources listed are not available in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything local.
You can also try reaching out to your local Area Agency on Aging.
i am looking for any help that i can get cause my husband is paralyzed on his left side cause he had a stroke and he had to have brain surgery if they is any in kentucky please i need help
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see what resources are available in your area.
I posted earlier. This is Darlene Hutchens again. I am 68 years old. I have had my left leg crushed. Both hips are in bad shape. I have lower back problems, I have problems with both legs from diabetes. I am on oxygen I really have no quality of life. I really want my quality of life back and more. Being in the house all day or not being able to go anywhere really sucks. If someone wants to see if I want to go anywhere, I usually am in the bath or can’t go.
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else. – Cat
I am disabled. I have some days that is impossible to go to town. I have to get someone to drive me because I have nothing suitable to drive myself and my wheelchair. I do need an automatic lift that will lift me and my wheelchair up into a van. I want to feel useful again and be able to do and go like I use to. I want to be the one who picks her flowers out, to plant, buy groceries, so please help if you can. I don’t like feeling like a burden ony family. Thank you for listening. Darlene
Hi Darlene. We don’t have the vans. We just offer information on the programs that do. If the resources above are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else. – Cat
I’m in need for a wheelchair van I’m disable in wheelchair and have a son with autism help me please
Hi. If the resources above aren’t helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
Hi Tanya. If you contact the Centers for Independent Living, they should know of any resources that may be available.
I have a 99 year old church member. And is in strong need of a free wheelchair van. She still travel around with the church. But in a small car with her wheel chair. Hardly have any room in the small car for all her personal belongings. She will be 100 years old November 25, 2023. I was praying that someone can help me help her with a wheelchair van. Thank you and God Bless????????❤
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful where you are, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
I was hit by a van at a school crosswalk I was the crossing guy when I got hit for the last five years I’ve been in electric wheelchair I can’t walk anymore or stand and we are real in bad deth I have no credit at all
Hi. It might be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any programs in your area.
Hi. If the information above isn’t helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they know of.
You can also try using an appointment transportation service so you can all go together:
https://lowincomerelief.com/assistance-with-transportation/
Need help my daughter has a c4 spinal cord injury we can’t afford a wheelchair van anyone can help me to the right place to help my daughter see the outside she only 18 years old
Hi Erica. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there are any additional options that your daughter may be eligible for. – Cat
She is cp handicap we need minivan new or used .
Hi Nancy. If you’ve already looked into the resources listed above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
Hi Tavia.
Hopefully, some of the resources above can help.
Here are a few more that may be a short-term solution:
https://lowincomerelief.com/assistance-with-transportation/
Thank you for your commitment in sharing updated resources!
My Father is diagnosed with guilion Burry syndrome and can not take care of himself and has to be taken care of 24 7 and has no way of getting him to his Dr visits so I’m looking for any help I can get get him a van to get him to wherever he needs to go. Any help is greatly appreciated. God bless you.
Hi James. If you’ve already looked into the options above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
I’m in need of wheelchair van.
I’m 66 years old have a left leg amputation above the knee also don’t walk in 2 years 6 months 2019 I suffered a spinel cord infection I lost using my legs.
Looking for information on government federal or State of Alabama I don’t have any vehicle for handicap assembly for Dr appointment have to depend on someone taking me anywhere I’m not a veteran please help me out
Hi Jerry. The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation mentioned above may be able to assist partially.
The Centers for Independent Living in your area may also be a valuable information resource.
Here are some other possible options for transportation as well: https://lowincomerelief.com/assistance-with-transportation/
I have a grandson that has cerebral palsy . He is getting to big to carry to put in a car…so I’m looking for help to get a handicap van to transport him around. so if there is any programs out there that can help me it would be very appreciated. thank you
Hi Lenora. It might be worth starting with the Special Kids Fund. You can find information about them on this page.