There are many helpful programs for disabled veterans.
Often the road to recovery for disabled servicemen and women is complicated by financial difficulties. However, there are programs in place to relieve the worry and stress of service-disabled soldiers. Both the U.S. government and private foundations have set aside funds to help those who have given so much in the service of their country.
Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment Grant
Offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this grant is used to provide veterans who have qualifying injuries with either adaptive equipment or a new vehicle with adaptive equipment installed. To qualify a veteran must have lost, or lost the use of, one or both feet or one or both hands. Some veterans with a certain degree of vision impairment in both eyes may also qualify. The limit of the grant is $11,000 as of 2010, and it can only be claimed once in a lifetime.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
(800) 827-1000
vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-4502-ARE.pdf
Clothing Allowance Grant
Disabled veterans who must use a prosthetic device are entitled to a yearly clothing grant of $677 (as of 2010) to cover the cost of replacing clothing due to the wear and tear of prosthetics. The grant is also available to veterans who have a service-connected skin ailment that requires use of prescription medication that ruins clothing. Veterans must apply or re-apply for the grant every year, but there are no limitations on the amount of times it can be obtained.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
(800) 827-1000
va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/10-8678-fill.pdf
Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Inc.
This private organization offers disabled veterans support through education, counseling and individual need-based grants. The Disabled Veterans National Foundation provides grant money on a case-by-case basis; there are no specific qualifications. Veterans seeking grants should contact the foundation through the email listed on the organization's website.
Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 96648
Washington, DC 20009-6648
(888) 782-2148
dvnf.org/contact-us/
Specially Adapted Housing Grant
This grant is for the construction of a new home or the modification of an existing home for a disabled veteran's specific physical needs. The goal of the Specially Adapted Housing Grant is to provide independent living to service-disabled veterans. The grant can be obtained three times with a lifetime monetary cap of $60,000, as of 2010.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
(800) 827-1000
homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
This private foundation was founded to provide financial help to the disabled veterans of the War on Terror. The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes has provided funding for everything from a new computer to mortgage payments to money for groceries. They review each request for help individually.
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes
2 Church St., Suite 101
Ossining, NY 10562
(914) 432-5400
saluteheroes.org/programs.html
Tags: Department Veterans, Department Veterans Affairs, Veterans Affairs, 20420 827-1000, Affairs Vermont
