Independence is a crucial aspect of a happy life. Being able to go where you want, whenever you want, is a vital component of independence. For veterans with a disability, however, gaining this independence can be challenging. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has programs in place to help veterans overcome these challenges. In this post, we will delve into the VA’s automobile allowance and adaptive equipment programs, and explain how they help veterans overcome driving-related obstacles and regain their independence.
The VA’s Automobile Allowance program provides veterans who have service-related disabilities with a grant to purchase a car. The car must accommodate the veteran’s specific needs, and may also include the cost of modifications and equipment necessary to operate the car safely. This program helps veterans regain independence by allowing them to go where they want, when they want.
For veterans with mobility issues, Adaptive Equipment may be necessary. Adaptive Equipment is custom-made or modified car equipment needed to accommodate a veteran’s physical disabilities. Examples include wheelchair lifts, hand controls, and auto-dimming mirrors. These adaptations make a car safe and comfortable to operate, even with physical limitations. The VA provides grant assistance to veterans to help cover the cost of these modifications.
In addition to these physical adaptations, the VA also offers training for veterans who need extra help learning how to operate their modified vehicles safely. The VA Adaptive Driving Program offers driver rehabilitation evaluations, training and resources for veterans with physical or cognitive impairment. This program is essential in enabling veterans to learn how to drive safely.
The VA also offers a Service-Connected Temporary 100% Disability Rating. If an individual has a temporary or serious chronic service-related illness or injury that requires hospitalization, surgery, therapy, or rehabilitation treatments, they can be rated temporarily as 100% disabled. This rating allows them to receive a vehicle and adaptive equipment to help them regain independence, mobility, and self-reliance.
The VA understands how crucial independence is in enabling veterans to lead happy and satisfying lives. The VA’s Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment programs are designed to help veterans overcome driving-related challenges and regain their independence. Through these programs, the VA provides financial assistance, customization, modifications, and training to ensure that veterans can operate their cars safely and comfortably. If you are a veteran and need assistance in regaining your independence, it’s important to know that help is available. We hope this post has given you a better idea of the VA’s Automobile Allowance and Adaptive Equipment programs, and how they can help you overcome your driving-related obstacles.
If you’re in the market for a new car and are wondering what to do with your old one, consider donating it to veterans. While it may seem like a hassle, donating your car is actually a lot easier than you might think. Not only can it benefit someone in need, but it can also provide you with a tax deduction. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of donating your car to veterans step-by-step, from choosing the right charity to understanding the tax implications.
Step 1: Research Charities
Before you donate your car, it’s important to research charities to find one that aligns with your values, budget, and accessibility needs. There are many charity organizations that accept car donations, but not all of them are the same. To start, consider organizations like Cars for Veterans or Purple Heart Car Donation, which are tailored specifically to car donations for veterans. Check out the reviews of the organization you’re researching and make sure they’re a legitimate nonprofit with a good reputation.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car for Donation
Once you’ve chosen a charity, you’ll need to prepare your car for donation. This might involve removing all personal belongings from the car, repairing any major damage or maintenance issues, and ensuring that the car is clean both inside and out. Depending on the charity, you may also be required to provide additional paperwork like the vehicle title, registration, or insurance.
Step 3: Schedule a Pickup
After your car is ready for donation, you can schedule a pickup through the charity. Many organizations will send a tow truck and driver to your location to pick up the car free of charge. They’ll generally ask you to provide some information about the location of the car and any special instructions or considerations for the pickup.
Step 4: Get a Receipt
When the car is picked up, you should receive a receipt from the driver or charity organization. This receipt should include the name and address of the charity, the date of the donation, and a description of the car. It’s important to save this receipt, as it will be evidence of your donation for tax purposes.
Step 5: Claim Your Tax Deduction
Once you have the receipt, you can claim your tax deduction. You’ll need to itemize your deductions on your tax return and include the receipt as proof of your donation. It’s important to note that the amount you can deduct will depend on the value of the car and the charity you donated it to. If the value of the car is over $500, you’ll also need to fill out IRS Form 8283, which requires a written appraisal of the car’s value.
Conclusion:
Donating your car to veterans is a great way to give back to those who have served our country, but it’s important to do your research beforehand to ensure that your donation is being used in a way that aligns with your values. By following the steps we’ve outlined in this guide, you can rest assured that your car donation will provide both financial and emotional support to a veteran in need. Don’t forget to keep track of your receipt and claim your tax deduction to take full advantage of the benefits of car donation.
It’s all too easy to take the everyday mode of transportation for granted. Most of us don’t give a second thought to cars, trucks, or motorcycles, but for some veterans, access to a vehicle can mean the difference between struggling to get by and living a comfortable life. The benefits of vehicle donations to veterans are substantial, and in this post, we’ll be examining just how significant these donations can be for those who’ve served our country.
One of the most challenging times in a veterans life is the transition back to civilian life. This is a time of massive change and therefore a time when it’s critical for things to go smoothly.
Access to transportation can be one of the most significant obstacles facing veterans returning to civilian life. It’s not just about getting to work, although that’s important, but also about the ability to attend appointments, participate in leisure activities, and stay connected with friends and family. The sad reality is that many veterans who struggle with PTSD or physical disabilities don’t have access to reliable transportation, which can have a devastating impact on their quality of life.
Fortunately, there are many organizations that specialize in connecting donated vehicles with deserving veterans. One example is Vehicles for Veterans, an organization that accepts vehicle donations and uses the proceeds to fund programs and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of disabled veterans. Since its inception, Vehicles for Veterans has helped thousands of veterans find access to reliable transportation, allowing them to live fuller, more independent lives.
The statistics on the impact of vehicle donations on veterans’ lives are impressive. Studies have shown that veterans who receive a donated vehicle experience significant improvements in both their physical and mental health. For many, having a reliable means of transportation means they can attend crucial medical appointments, maintain social connections, and even pursue educational opportunities that they may not have had access to otherwise.
Of course, it’s not just the practical benefits of vehicle donations that make a difference. For veterans, receiving a car or truck can be a powerful gesture of gratitude and support from their community. Knowing that there are people willing to step up and help them during a challenging time can mean the world to individuals who may be struggling to adjust to civilian life.
Vehicle donations may seem like a small gesture, but the impact they can have on veterans’ lives is enormous. Whether it’s through organizations like Vehicles for Veterans or individual donations, giving a car or truck to a deserving veteran can mean the difference between struggling and thriving. So, if you’re looking for a way to give back to those who’ve served our country, consider donating a vehicle today. You just might change a life.
Okay, we know the core purpose of Veteran’s Day is to honor the brave men and women who put themselves between citizens and danger. At the Kicker we go out of our way to honor and thank our vets every year. So above all, it’s a great day to thank a veteran.
It also happens to be a three day weekend and a great excuse to go car shopping so lets look at why it’s a good time to buy a car, even if you aren’t a vet or don’t have great credit.
Veteran’s Day Sales Can Be A Great Time To Buy A New Car
Many car dealerships offer special sales around Veteran’s Day. It’s a great time to buy a new car because you can often get a good deal. The sales are usually for both new and used vehicles, so you have many options. And, since many people are busy with holidays and family commitments this time of year, there’s less competition for the best deals.
List of Major Incentives Offered by Automakers
As Veterans Day approaches, many automakers offer special deals and discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel. Here are some of the best deals currently available:
· Chevrolet
It offers a $500 discount on all new vehicles, including the popular Silverado pickup truck. Additionally, it’s waiving the $1,000 destination charge on all new cars.
· Ford
There is a $500 military appreciation bonus cash offer on all new vehicles, including the Ford Explorer SUV and the F-150 pickup truck. Additionally, you can expect a waiver of the $995 destination charge on all new cars.
· Jeep
The company offers a $500 rebate to all active-duty military personnel and veterans. The rebate applies to any new Jeep vehicle, including the Cherokee SUV and the Wrangler off-road vehicle. Jeep also waives the $1,195 destination charge on all new cars.
· Ram
You can expect a $500 rebate for all active-duty military personnel and veterans. The rebate encompasses any new Ram vehicle, including the 1500 pickup truck and the 2500 HD heavy-duty truck. In addition, you won’t pay the $1,295 destination charge on all new cars.
These are just a few of the many Veterans Day car deals that are currently available. So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle, check with your local dealership to see what deals they’re offering. And thanks for your service!
How Do I Qualify for a New Car With Bad Credit?
Bad credit can make it tough to get a new car, but there are some special deals for veterans. Veterans Day is a great time to buy a car, and many dealerships offer special financing for veterans with bad credit. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re looking for a new car with bad credit:
Look for dealerships that specialize in bad credit financing. These dealerships will be more likely to work with you and help you get the best possible deal.
Get pre-approved for financing before you start shopping. This will give you an idea of how much you can afford to spend on a car.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Many dealerships are willing to work with buyers with bad credit, so don’t hesitate to ask for a better interest rate or other concessions.
With these tips in mind, you should be able to find a great deal on a new car this Veterans Day. So don’t let bad credit hold you back – get out there and find your perfect car today!
One Final Note
One of our Sponsors is Tire Kickers, a veteran owned business that comes to you to inspect a vehicle you’re thinking of buying. No one at the Kicker Blog would ever buy a car without having it inspected, pre-purchase. This is a great time to support a veteran-owned business and save yourself money and heartache on your purchase.
We know every car dealership says, “we performed our SUPER-AMAZING inspection on this vehicle.” Of course they did. What they’re indicating is that they believe in pre-purchase inspection and do it themselves. So, you shouldn’t? What if the grocery store told you they washed their veggies before they put them out, would you think, “Oh good, I don’t have to now?”
Many things in America have become more about their celebration than their meaning. With Christmas, for example, we’ve heard folks complain about the crass commercialism of it for decades. Likewise many holidays have become simply a four-day weekend. Since Memorial Day is clearly about not forgetting something important, let’s take a shot at remembering what it means.
Originally celebrated May 30 regardless of the day of the week it fell on, Memorial Day is now pegged to the last Monday in May. It’s a day set aside by act of congress to honor Military service men and women who died in active duty.
Controversy
A few decades ago, historians and cultural anthropologist were almost annoyingly accepting of different cultures and different eras. They got very clinical when discussing cannibals or more violent times in the distant past of Easter and Western culture. Now days, we rush to judge those who do things in a manner other than our own. We deem it unenlightened.
This intolerance of other cultures and our own past has made many holidays “problematic.” Is there potential for controversy with Memorial Day? Sure is. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial day was born after Civil War (war between the states if you’re my grandma).
As early as 1860, people had begun to visit the graves of fallen soldiers in the spring to decorate them with flowers and say a pray over them. When the war ended in spring of 1865, it had claimed more American lives than any other conflict in US history, so it seems natural that the tradition took hold on both sides of the conflict. It was the Civil War that caused the first federal cemetery to be built.
Decoration Day
The practice of mourning solders in the spring seems to have sprung up spontaneously around the country in towns and cities of every size. Earliest recorded celebrations were in the south starting as soon as a month after the wars end. One in Charleston, South Carolina, was organized by a group of former slaves. In 1868 General John A. Logan called for a Decoration Day. There are records showing that Northern Cities embraced the practice by 1890.
Warrenton, Virginia, Savannah, Georgia, Jackson Mississippi, Columbus Georgia and Columbus Mississippi all began decorating graves in Spring around the same time in the America South. Of course Gettysburg lays some claim to the practice since Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most moving speeches of all time when he commemorated the graves there.
It was likely World War 1 and 2 that generalized the practice to include all armed services personal who died during war time and not just specific to the civil war.
In 1966, the fedral government declared Waterloo, New York the birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo had celebrated May 5th consistently since 1866, including the modern practice of closing business for the entire day.
Recent History of Memorial Day
It didn’t become a national Holiday until 1971. Many Americans observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries or memorials, gather as families, or participating in parades.
Side Note: It’s the unofficial beginning of summer.
The official remembrance part of memorial day is at 3 PM in each time zone, often marked with a moment of silence.
Memorial Day is for remembering those fallen in battle (or at least during active war.) There is also Veterans Day on November 11, which honors those who served–living or dead. Then there is the lesser known Armed Services Day which unofficially honors those currently serving in the military.
Most years there are Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery dating back to 1868. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is more often a location of ceremony on November 11th Veterans day. There are also ceremonies most years at the Vietnam War Memorial.
Memorial Day and Cars
This site exists to provide useful information to car enthusiasts and commuters, but we’ve been huge supporters of veterans since the beginning.
If we ignore the obvious Memorial Day connection to cars–the massive sales that go on that weekend–we are left with parades. You can ride a horse or march in a procession down a parade route but one of the most stylish, and easy on the feet, ways to participate in a parade is to ride in a convertible car with it’s top down.
Many parades involve floats which are motorized vehicles built onto a frame and motor. Some floats are decorated tractors, trucks or even golf carts. Most are purpose built. Most parade floats are self propelled although some are towed, usually by tractor or horse. Of course the goal of a float is to give the illusion that it’s floating on the surface street like a ship on the sea (hence the name). Therefore the vehicle is entirely covered by some kind of decoration.
Regardless of the base vehicle inside the float it must be heavily modified. For one thing, floats don’t need to go fast and do need to go very slow without stalling for long periods of time. So extra gears boxes are often required to make first gear smooth at 2.5 miles per hour. Extra radiators are added so the engine doesn’t overheat running low and slow for several hours. Finally the tires are filled with foam so they wont’ get a flat during the parade.
Many floats are large enough to require a second driver in a second cockpit to steer around blind corners. Also most floats are two level so a deck must be built by welding together steel tubing.
If there are animatronics, like arms or elevators, then hydraulics are employed to make the motion smoother. That means cylinders and pumps all driven off a second engine. You’ll also need a complex array of valves and a computer to control them. You’ll need gauges, manual controls, and of course monitors to see what the animatronics are doing.
Floats are considered moving sculptures and receive permits to use roadways that are event by event specific. Floats must gather in a location near the beginning and end of the route which takes a lot of logistics. Most parade organizers hire professionals to inspect floats prior to their use to avoid injuring an operator, passenger or observer along the route. Of course almost as bad as injury is a breakdown that causes a delay mid route.
As a rule, parade floats aren’t used more than once, although parts are salvaged and reused in future designs. Often floats are viewed before and after the parade in special display locations, before being towed back to the place they were built so they may be dismantled.
There is a National Memorial Day Parade that takes place along Constitution Ave.
With millions of veterans retuning home each year, there is always a need for reliable resources that create an ease in returning to civilian life. Veterans often encounter hardships in obtaining basic needs like housing, employment, or even owning a reliable car. Having access to a reliable car is a necessity in everyday life and there are military programs that aid veterans in affording a reliable car.
Veteran’s Affairs Automobile Allowance
The Veteran’s Association provides many useful resources for veterans, especially when they return home, injured and disabled. Through the Veteran’s Affairs Automobile Allowance, disabled veterans with service-connected injuries qualify for financial support to purchase a specially equipped vehicle. This allowance is specific to disabled veterans that are in need of financial support to purchase an equipped vehicle.
Progressive’s Keys to Progress Program
As one of the largest companies that provides insurance, Progressive has utilized their platform to give back and get involved through their Keys to Progress Program. Each year starting in May, veterans can request an application through a non-profit organization or through their VA Caseworker. After applications and need eligibilities are determined, recipients of this one-day giveaway event are selected in September and receive their vehicles by November. Since 2013, Progressive has honored many veterans and provided transportation support through this program.
Navy Federal Credit Union
Credit unions offer great opportunities to stay financially healthy. For veterans, the Navy Federal Credit Union provides good research, information on buying or financing, and all that is needed to protect a car. Having all the information for buying a vehicle in one place, this credit union provides ease and accessibility for veterans to afford a car. With low interest rates, affordable car insurance, and other great benefits for military life, the Navy Federal Credit Union helps veterans afford reliable cars.
United States Automobile Association
When purchasing a car, auto insurance rates can be intimidating. A way for veterans to get discounts and savings on auto insurance is through the United States Automobile Association.
The USAA caters to the military by providing vehicle storage, military installation discounts, and other benefits related to automobile needs. Their website also offers online financial assistance, and free car insurance quotes. When seeking the best options for military car insurance discounts, the USAA is a good place to look.
Private Lenders
Another option for veterans is to consider affording a reliable car through getting a loan with a low interest rate. Private lenders like Omni Financial , and Pioneer Military Credit offer auto and personal military loans with low-interest rates. When using private lenders, doing some research and comparison shopping is important. Having a car already in mind will help the process and determine which rates offer the most affordability in the long run for purchasing a car.
Extended Warranty
Lastly, car dealerships and manufacturers offer a wide variety of options when purchasing a car. For veterans, one of the benefits that these companies provide with purchasing a reliable car is an extended warranty. Car warranties often save a lot money for repairs and maintenance, but there is often fine print in the agreements. Car manufacturer companies like Toyota, Subaru, and Nissan offer military appreciation benefits and incentives with car purchases.
An easy way to find warranty agreements for cars, is through an internet search. Similar to the use of private lenders, extended warranties should also be reviewed and researched in order to determine the best offer for an affordable and reliable car.
Make Use of the Available Help
Although the stress of being in the military life can cause hardships, exploring military appreciation options will help a veteran get back into civilian life. Over the years, veterans’ benefits have become more resourceful, and have given veterans the opportunity to find a reliable and affordable car.
The Kicker planned a quick update last memorial day, just to give a nod to the courageous men and women who serve us in uniform. We spoke recently with Duane Moore of Tire Kickers. Duane spearheads Tire Kickers plans to hire 20,000 veterans. The Kicker has previously talked about the plan to hire 18,000 veterans in this post.
For the plan to work two things need to happen. First Tire Kickers would need to go nation-wide. Tire Kickers is in the process of expanding it’s operation in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, California and Virginia. The need for ride share vehicle inspections has spurred a ton of growth for Tire Kickers. Duane anticipates the rate of growth to increase.
The second thing that would allow the plan to execute quickly, is for state and federal government to mandate car inspection when used cars are sold. Right now many dealerships voluntarily inspect the vehicles they intend to sell, which helps them not be personally responsible for the sale of unsafe vehicles. Where it falls short is when failing cars are resold at auction where less reputable dealer does sell the car. The other issue with allowing dealers to perform there own inspections is the inherent conflict of interest for any inspection employed by a dealer. It simply is not the final responsibility of a seller to verify the condition of a vehicle. It’s the buyers right and responsibility.
If all fifty states were to enact laws that required buyers to have a vehicle independently inspected, then lenders would begin to absorb that cost in the vehicle financing, and unsafe cars would be screened out of the market. From a consumer standpoint, car buyers would enjoy the benefit of full disclosure. Problems with a vehicle would come out, pre-purchase and the cost and responsibility of repair could be negotiated during purchase.
The awesome side effect of these laws would be that companies like Tire Kickers could employ returning veterans at a living wage, by the thousands. It’s time for America to do all that can be done to improve things for returning veterans. Or, as President Obama wrote to Duane, “As a country, we have the best-led, best-trained, and best-equipped military in the world. We must devote just as much energy and passion to making sure we have the best-cared for, best-treated, and best-respected veterans in the world. We all benefit from their efforts to build a stronger America and a brighter future for our kids–our commitment to them must match their service and sacrifice.”
President Obama completed his email with, “There’s more to do, and we’re going to have to work even harder. As Commander in Chief, I will keep striving to ensure we serve our veterans and their families as well as they served us.”
At The Kicker, we’ll be holding you to that, Mr. President.
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