Our Wheelchair Van Caught Fire. Can We Get Help Getting It Replaced?

Steve asked:

My niece is confined to a wheelchair. We had a van but it caught fire. Is there funding to purchase a van for her?

Hi Steve,

I'm so sorry to hear about the fire. Losing a wheelchair-accessible van is a tremendous setback, and I understand why you're looking for help.

There may be funding available to help your niece replace the van, but I want to set realistic expectations. Unfortunately, there isn't one national program that automatically provides replacement wheelchair vans. Many families are successful by combining several sources of assistance such as local grants, nonprofits, and GoFundMe support. I'll describe in greater detail in the longer answer below this section.

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What You Need to Know

Here are some good places to start:

Contact the insurance company first. If the van was insured, ask whether the policy covers both the vehicle and the wheelchair-accessible conversion, as well as any medical equipment that was inside.
Reach out to your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. If your niece works or hopes to work, VR may be able to help pay for an accessible vehicle or vehicle modifications.
Check Medicaid and other state disability programs. Depending on where you live and your niece’s eligibility, Medicaid waivers or other state programs may help with vehicle modifications or transportation-related needs.
Contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL). These organizations often know about local grants, charities, and other resources that can help people with disabilities obtain accessible transportation.
Look into nonprofit organizations. Groups such as Bridge to Mobility and other disability-focused charities sometimes offer grants or financial assistance for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Ask mobility dealers about funding opportunities. Companies like BraunAbility, United Access, and MobilityWorks maintain lists of grants and funding programs and may be able to help identify options.

While you’re working toward a permanent solution, it may also be worth asking about temporary transportation assistance. If your niece has Medicaid, she may qualify for rides to medical appointments. Local paratransit services, your area’s 211 helpline, and disability organizations may also be able to help.

If grants and assistance programs don’t cover the full cost, some families also turn to crowdfunding through sites like GoFundMe. Sharing the fundraiser through local churches, civic groups, disability organizations, and social media can sometimes help bridge the remaining funding gap.

You may also find these Low Income Relief resources helpful:

I hope this gives you a good place to start, and I wish you and your niece the very best as you work to replace the van.

This information is general and may vary by state and personal circumstances, so it’s always a good idea to confirm eligibility and program details directly with the organization providing assistance.