Grants for Handicapped Vans

Having a vehicle readily available to drive and use is a luxury, not a right, and some people may take it for granted. Individuals with physical disabilities, or the organizations that serve them, may not be able to afford a commodity like a handicap-accessible van. Grants and other forms of financial assistance can reduce the high cost of handicapped vehicles at the state and federal level.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov supplies information on available federal grants. 26 agencies use Grants.gov to supply public and private sectors with information regarding current grants available to be applied for. The Department of Health and Human Services--a likely source for grants to be applied to the purchase of handicapped accessible vans--lists all of their grants on Grants.gov. Note that the process for these grants can be very competitive; you should ask a professional or someone with experience in writing grants to assist you or your organization in applying.

Veterans Assistance

Veterans injured while serving our country have grants available to them through the US Department of Veteran Affairs. If the applicant meets certain physical qualifications, the VA office will assist him in purchasing vehicles specific to his needs. The grant is up to $8000 with additional costs covered for repairs and adjustments needed to provide comfort and accessibility for the veteran. Your local Veteran Affairs office can direct you to a local contact who will help guide you through the application process.

Disabled Children's Assistance Fund - Ohio

Churches and community organizations often provide grants to help the handicapped. The Church in Society Committee in Ohio provides one such grant, available to disabled children. It acts to help better the life of the child and assist with monetary need. This is a one-time grant; the same recipient cannot apply on multiple occasions after receiving it. The organization also offers a Pastor's Discretionary Fund, which offers $300 to a one-time recipient. Churches and organizations in your local community may have similar programs.