Funding
Programs and Financial Assistance
In Maine
the programs that may help pay for part or all the cost of vehicle modification
include: the MPower (formerly Kim Wallace) Adaptive
Equipment Loan Program, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
and Department of Veterans Affairs.
a.
MPower (formerly Kim Wallace) Adaptive
Equipment Loan Program
MPower
is a statewide loan program for adaptive equipment to qualified borrowers
to improve their independence. (This program also lends monies
for other types of modifications, including home modifications). You
may borrow from $250 up to $100,000. The interest rate and the
number of years to repay the loan depend upon your income.
Eligibility
There are no income
guidelines for this program, but you must show that you can re-pay the
loan. You must also demonstrate that at least one person with a
disability will benefit from the adaptive equipment being purchased. The
program is relatively flexible to allow the program to be utilized by the
greatest number of people.
You must apply for the loan through Alpha
One, then the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) administers the loan fund.
They will process the application and credit reports and recommend
applicants.
Contact
Information
b.
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for Employment-Related
Needs
You must be
interested in achieving an "employment outcome" to access services from
the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). To qualify for VR
services a person must:
The Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation has limited funds for vehicle modifications.
They do not support the purchase of a new vehicle. Vehicle
modifications are considered part of rehabilitation technology services
and the total expenditure limit for a modification is $12,000. The
average amount spent on an individual is generally $5,000 for all services
supplied by vocational rehabilitation.
A Vocational
Rehabilitation counselor will determine if the adaptive equipment is
required for employment. The counselor will first explore all other
options including public transportation and the Kim Wallace
Adaptive Equipment Loan program. From time to time there may be a waiting list
to receive such services from Vocational Rehabilitation. Also, before VR
will provide funds for vehicle modifications, they require that you complete Alpha One's driver evaluation to determine if vehicle
modifications will work for you.
Eligibility
An individual is
eligible for DVR services if the individual:
-
has
a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment
to employment and
-
requires vocational rehabilitation services
to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment.
After you apply for
this grant, the DVR will determine your eligibility for services within 60
days. The DVR will review all benefits that you may be receiving from
other state or federal sources, including schools and social security,
before deciding on your application for funding.
Contact
Information
Department
of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - Central Office
150
State House Station
Augusta 04333-0150
Telephone:
(207) 624-5950
TTY: (207)
624-5955 or (800) 698-4440
FAX: (207)
624-5980
-
Augusta
Office
2
Anthony Avenue
Augusta, ME 04333-0073
Telephone:
(207) 624-5120 or (800) 760-1573
TTY: (800) 633-0770
FAX: (207)
624-5133
-
Bangor
Office
45
Oak Street Suite 1
Bangor, ME 04401-6514
Telephone:
(207) 561-4900 or (888) 545-8811
TTY: (207)
561-4903 or (800) 498-6711
FAX: (207)
561-4927
-
Lewiston
Office
5
Mollison Way
Lewiston, ME 04240
Telephone:
(207) 753-9050 or (800) 741-2991
TTY: (207)
753-9067
FAX: (207)
793-9051
-
Portland
Office
185
Lancaster Street
Portland, ME 04101
Telephone:
(207) 822-0400 or (800) 315-1192
TTY: (207)
822-0412
FAX: (207) 879-7553
-
Presque
Isle Office
66
Spruce Street, Suite 3
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Telephone:
(207) 760-6300
or (800) 635-0357
TTY: (207)
760-6301
FAX: (207)
760-6343
-
Rockland
Office
279
Main Street Suite 1
Rockland, ME 04841-9914
Voice/TTY:
(207) 594-1834 or (800) 432-1680
FAX: (207)
594-1858
-
Houlton
Office
91½ Military Street
Houlton, ME 04730
Telephone:
(207) 532-5300 or (800) 691-0033
TTY: (207)
532-5301
FAX: (207) 532-5309
-
Machias
Office
7
Free Street
Machias, ME 04654
Telephone:
(207) 255-0130
or (800) 770-7774
FAX: (207)
255-3091
-
Saco
Office
110
Main Street Suite 1106
Saco, ME 04072
Telephone:
(207) 286-2600 or (800) 521-5871
TTY: (207)
286-2614 or (800) 492-0670
FAX: (207)
286-2608
-
Skowhegan
Office
140
North Avenue
P.O. Box 749
Skowhegan, ME 04976
Telephone:
(207) 474-4958
TTY: (207)
753-9067
FAX: (207) 474-4914
For
Further Information, visit:
http://www.maine.gov/rehab/dvr/dvr_vr.htm
This site
describes the general Vocational Rehabilitation Program in the state
of Maine. You can connect to the rules governing the DVR program
on this site or go directly to the rules:
http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/12/152/152c001.doc
c.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits
Administration
The
VA provides direct financial assistance to certain disabled servicepersons
and veterans with disabilities toward the purchase price of an automobile
and an additional amount for adaptive equipment that is necessary for
the eligible person to operate or use the vehicle.
Assistance toward
the purchase of an automobile is a one-time payment only. Funds can also be used to
furnish, repair, replace, or reinstall equipment in a vehicle. Funds can
be used toward the purchase of a vehicle with adaptive devices already
installed. Adaptive equipment can be provided for no more than two
vehicles during any 4-year period unless one of those two vehicles becomes
unavailable to the veteran.
There is no maximum
allowable amount for the purchase and installation of adaptive equipment. There is an $8,000 maximum for the purchase of an
automobile.
Of
note: If a veteran has a letter from the VA qualifying her/him for the
purchase of a modified vehicle, Maine state sales tax is waived.
But if the veteran is purchasing conversions or modifications to an
existing vehicle then the sales tax is NOT waived.
Eligibility
Veterans with honorable service discharge and servicepersons on duty
are eligible if they have a service-connected disability due to:
- loss or permanent loss of use of one
or both feet,
-
loss of use of one or both hands,
- or a permanent impairment of vision of
both eyes to a prescribed degree.
For adaptive equipment only, eligibility also exists if there is
service-connected disability of one or both knees or one or both hips.
Personnel on active duty also qualify under the same criteria as veterans.
An application (VA
Form 21-4502) may be obtained from any VA Office or Regional Office and
submitted to the Regional Office. Your military discharge certificate will be needed as
well.
Contact
Information
VA
Medical and Regional Office Center
1
VA Center
Togus, ME 04330-6795
Phone: (207) 623-8411
Local website
address:
http://www.vba.va.gov/ro/east/togus/index.htm
National website
address:
http://www.va.gov
Awards are authorized
at the Regional Office. In the event of a denial, you can appeal the
decision at the time of notification.
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