Grants & Funding Options

Navigating grants, funding, and finance options can feel overwhelming. However, the right financial support can make a big difference, reducing the costs of adaptations and helping you stay mobile and independent. By starting your research early, gathering the paperwork you’ll need, and contacting the specialist teams that manage these schemes, you’ll give yourself the best chance of success. 

 

This guide outlines the main sources of financial help available for vehicle adaptations, including national schemes, local council support, and charities that specialise in disability funding. Please note that we do take care to ensure this is up to date, but grants and funding rounds can change or close, so always check with the specific organisation.  

 

The Motability Scheme 

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to get mobile by exchanging their qualifying mobility allowance to lease a new car. You can check your eligibility on the Motability website. 

Subsequently, to ensure the car is accessible to your needs, there are a wide range of car adaptations available as part of the scheme. Some of these are free, while others are available with a contribution fee.

 

Motability Foundation Grants 

The Motability Foundation offers charitable, means-tested grants to help cover the cost of: 

• Cars and vehicle adaptations 

• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) 

• Independent driving solutions 

• Bespoke passenger solutions 

These grants are only available to people who already receive a qualifying mobility allowance and who are applying to the Motability Scheme. Applications must be made before ordering a vehicle. Funding is assessed on both the applicant’s mobility benefits and household income. 

Applications are reviewed by case managers, with decisions usually given within four weeks. To apply, contact the Motability Grants team on 0800 500 3186 (Monday–Friday, 8 am–6 pm) and have your National Insurance number or DLA/PIP reference ready. 

 

Driving Assessment Grant (DAG) 

The Driving Assessment Grant (DAG), supported by the Motability Foundation and Driving Mobility, helps people access professional driving assessments and adaptation support. Funding can cover: 

• Clinical driving assessments 

• The cost of recommended vehicle adaptations 

• Familiarisation lessons at accredited Driving Mobility centres 

This grant is open to both Motability and non-Motability members, provided the applicant has a disability and is on a low income or certain benefits. To apply, contact your regional Driving Mobility Centre, where staff will guide you through the assessment and application process. 

 

Access to Work Scheme 

The Access to Work scheme, run by Disability Employment Services, provides financial help towards vehicle adaptations where driving is essential for getting to and from work or for carrying out job duties. 

Eligibility depends on your disability, the type of work you do, and your current income and benefits. You can check the eligibility criteria on their website. Applications can be made online or by calling the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479. 

 

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) 

Although not directly for vehicle adaptations, Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) can help by funding essential home adaptations such as ramps or widened doors, making it easier to transfer safely between your home and vehicle. 

These grants are means-tested and capped (usually up to £30,000 in England). Applications are made through your local council and typically require an assessment by an occupational therapist. Payments are made either in instalments as work progresses or once the project is completed. 

 

Charitable Grants and Other Funding Sources 

In addition to the above schemes, many charities and organisations provide financial support for vehicle adaptations or related mobility needs. These include: 

• Family Fund Mobility Support – Helps low-income families with children under 3 who have significant mobility needs by providing a leasing package that includes insurance, servicing, and breakdown cover. 

• Mobility Trust – Offers grants for disability-related equipment and vehicle adaptations, based on an occupational therapy assessment to identify needs. 

• MS Society – Provides grants to people living with Multiple Sclerosis, covering mobility aids like powered wheelchairs and vehicle adaptations. 

• BLESMA – Supports serving and ex-service personnel with grants for mobility scooters and vehicle adaptations. 

• Hospital Saturday Fund – Provides financial assistance for specialised mobility equipment. 

• SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Air Force Association) – Offers funding for veterans and military families, including support for mobility equipment. 

• Turn2us – Operates a searchable database of grants and a benefits calculator, helping individuals find small amounts of funding towards adaptations or driving costs. 

We also recommend visiting Charity Choice UK to find additional charities relevant to your specific need or disability that may not be listed above and they will be able to advise you further of possible funding and grants for vehicle adaptations.  

 

Applying Successfully – A Step-by-Step Guide 

1. Check eligibility early – Confirm which benefits or circumstances qualify you before beginning an application. 
2. Apply before making purchases – Most schemes require pre-approval and will not reimburse costs for adaptations that have already been ordered or installed. 
3. Gather the right documents – You’ll usually need recent benefit letters, medical or occupational therapy reports, and financial information. 
4. Start with a phone call – Most organisations encourage you to contact them directly. Their staff can guide you through the process and are there to help you get the funding you need. 
5. Keep track of your application – If you don’t hear back in the expected timeframe, follow up to ensure your application is moving forward. 

 

Our Tips and Best Practices 

• Plan ahead: Apply as soon as possible to avoid delays and ensure funding is in place before you order your vehicle adaptations. 

• Combine different types of support: For example, you might use a DFG to improve access at home and a Motability grant to adapt your vehicle. 

• Explore condition-specific charities: Organisations such as the MS Society, MND Association, or others linked to particular disabilities often provide specific funding. 

• Check for VAT relief: If you are a registered disabled person, you may be able to claim VAT exemption on the cost of new vehicle adaptations. We guide you through this as standard with your vehicle adaptations purchase.