Car Help for People with Disabilities

Where to start

• Vocational Rehabilitation: your state VR agency can fund modifications needed for work. In Massachusetts, the Rehabilitation Commission refers clients to Good News Garage for donated cars.
• Accessible vehicle grants: see wheelchair van funding.
• Free and low-cost cars: 1-800-Charity Cars serves the medically needy.
• Medicaid rides: free non-emergency medical transportation.

Protecting SSI and Medicaid

For SSI, one vehicle used for transportation is generally excluded from countable resources. Still, ask a benefits counselor before accepting a car or fundraising money.

Programs that serve people with disabilities

From our state research, these programs specifically mention serving people with disabilities:

• Good News Garage (Ascentria Care Alliance) — Statewide, Massachusetts. Wheels to Work donated cars by Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission referral, plus JumpStart low-cost cars you can apply for directly. 877-448-3288.

Driving with a disability

A certified driver rehabilitation specialist can evaluate whether you can drive with adaptive equipment such as hand controls, left-foot accelerators or spinner knobs, and recommend the right vehicle and modifications. Many state vocational rehabilitation programs pay for this evaluation when driving is needed for work.

Caregiver and family vehicles

If a family member drives you, look at wheelchair-accessible minivans, transfer seats and lifts. Funding can be combined from VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation, grants and fundraising — see wheelchair van grants.

Protecting your benefits

Read free cars for people on SSI and disability to learn how a vehicle can affect SSI, SSDI and Medicaid, and how ABLE accounts can help you save.

Frequently asked questions