To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the automobile assistance program for disabled veterans.

January 8, 2003

Mrs. KELLY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the automobile assistance program for disabled veterans.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AUTOMOBILE ADAPTIVE ASSISTANCE BENEFIT DIRECTLY TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.

(a) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PAYMENT TO LENDER RATHER THAN SELLER- Section 3902(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, a payment under this subsection may be made to the lender of a loan made for the purpose of financing the purchase of the automobile or other conveyance, rather than to the seller.'.

(b) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE PAYMENT AFTER PURCHASE- Section 3902 of such title is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(e) In the case of an eligible person who makes a purchase for which assistance could be provided under subsection (a) but who, as determined by the Secretary, does not apply for such assistance in a timely manner due to lack of knowledge of the availability of such assistance, the Secretary may provide such assistance after the purchase by payment directly to that person upon application made within 90 days after the date of the purchase.'.

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