There are several factors which must be considered when determining a veteran’s eligibility for participation in the Vehicle Assistance Scheme (VAS). The first consideration is whether the veteran satisfies one of the categories of disability under subsection 105(5) of the VEA. The second is whether the veteran will derive benefit from assistance under the VAS.
Under section 39(1) of the DRCA, DVA accepts responsibility for the reasonable cost of any repairs or maintenance to an approved modification once the modification to a vehicle owned by a client has been made.
DVA will only pay once for a modification to a particular vehicle.
In practical terms, this means that if the client changes their vehicle in future:
The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC) has determined that where it is not feasible for the client’s existing motor vehicle to be modified, funding may be provided for the cost difference between a suitable vehicle (acquired by the client at their own cost) with the option fitted (for example, automatic transmission) and a vehicle of the same or similar model without the option (for example, manual transmission). This may occur where the vehicle is too old, technically unsuitable, not cost effective or not safe to modify.
Where a person’s impairment has not yet stabilised or is not assessed as being permanent, car modifications are not payable under section 39(1)(d) of the DRCA. In these circumstances, consideration may be given to pay compensation of a short term nature until the barriers(s) impacting on the person’s mobility and functioning are addressed, the person’s ongoing level of impairment is known and the potential eligibility for assistance under section 39 can be determined.
A motor vehicle, provided or modified by DVA to a person, can be loaned at any time at that person's discretion, as long as the person using the vehicle adheres to his or her obligations under the MVCS as outlined in this manual.
Also, they must be suitably licensed to operate the vehicle.
If there is a breach of any of the MVCS requirements, the delegate may notify the person in writing that:
The delegate should determine the amount of compensation that is payable, to an eligible person under the MVCS, according to what is reasonable.
In reaching this decision, the delegate will consider factors such as, but not limited to:
If the MRCC subsidises the purchase of a motor vehicle for a person, the person is taken to be the legal owner of the motor vehicle.
However, the Commonwealth has a chattel mortgage interest in the motor vehicle to the extent of the amount of the subsidy. The conditions attached to a chattel mortgage include the following:
The motor vehicle cannot be:
An eligible person under the MVCS is a person who has:
If an eligible client’s current vehicle is not capable of having necessary driving devices fitted, or modifications made to it, then DVA can only provide compensation for the cost of the OT recommended modification or driving device. Compensation coverage does not extend to the cost of the vehicle itself. A client may purchase a suitable vehicle at their own cost and be compensated under MVCS for the costs of the approved driving devices or modifications.
