What is Automobile Fuel Subsidy? | Conditions, Application Process, and Amount for Gasoline Assistance for People with Disabilities

For individuals with disabilities who rely on cars, the monthly expense of gasoline can be a significant burden on the household budget.
Especially recently, with the instability of global affairs and the depreciation of the yen, fuel costs continue to rise.

To assist individuals with disabilities who use cars, there is a system called "Automobile Fuel Subsidy."
The Automobile Fuel Subsidy is a system where local governments subsidize a portion of gasoline costs for those with severe disabilities.

The subsidy amount varies by municipality, but it is generally around 3,000 to 5,000 yen per month. In some areas, it is distributed as gasoline vouchers, while in others, it is provided as a cash transfer to a bank account.

However,this system is not a national standard, and the eligibility criteria, distribution methods, and application offices vary significantly by city or town. Cases such as "It is available in the neighboring city, but not in my city" or "I applied but was ineligible due to income restrictions" can occur, so it is essential to first check the system details of your local government.

This article explains the following for individuals with disabilities who regularly use cars and their families: ① Eligibility criteria and conditions, ② Examples of distribution methods and amounts by municipality, ③ Required documents and application procedures, ④ Compatibility with other mobility support systems.

1. What is the "Automobile Fuel Subsidy" that provides gasoline assistance with a disability certificate?

The Automobile Fuel Subsidy is a system designed to promote social activities for individuals with disabilities by subsidizing part of the automobile fuel costs incurred for outings.

It primarily targets those who possess a disability certificate or a rehabilitation certificate, helping to alleviate the economic burden of gasoline costs.

The subsidy is provided by offering a discount on gasoline costs when presenting a "Gasoline Voucher (Automobile Fuel Voucher)" issued by the local government at the time of refueling.

Additionally, some municipalities provide cash transfers to bank accounts, and the subsidy methods vary.

The Automobile Fuel Subsidy serves as a support system for transportation for individuals with disabilities who use cars.

2. Eligibility for the Automobile Fuel Subsidy

2-1. Primarily for individuals with relatively severe disabilities

The eligibility for the Automobile Fuel Subsidy varies by municipal standards, but it generally targets individuals with relatively severe disabilities.

For example, in Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture, the eligible individuals for the Automobile Fuel Subsidy are as follows:

• Individuals holding a Grade 1 or 2 Physical Disability Certificate
• Individuals holding a Grade A or A Rehabilitation Certificate
• Individuals holding a Grade 1 Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate
and
• When the disabled person or a person living on the same premises is the "user" and driver on the vehicle inspection certificate

Source: Disability Automobile Fuel Subsidy｜Fujimino City

In Fujimino City, individuals with a Grade 1 or 2 Physical Disability Certificate, a Grade A Rehabilitation Certificate, or a Grade 1 Mental Disability Certificate are eligible, indicating a focus on relatively severe disabilities.

Next, let's look at the eligibility requirements for Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. In Urayasu City, privately owned vehicles belonging to individuals (or households including such individuals) residing in the city and meeting the following criteria are eligible.

• 身体障害者手帳1級・2級・3級（視覚障がいに限る）をお持ちの方
• じん臓機能障害で手帳があり人工透析を受けている方
• 療育手帳マルA・マルAの1・マルAの2・Aの1・Aの2をお持ちの方
• 児童相談所または知的障害者更生相談所において最重度または重度の知的障がいと判定を受けた方
• 精神障害者保健福祉手帳1級・2級・3級をお持ちの方

引用元：自動車燃料費助成｜浦安市

In Urayasu City, individuals with a Grade 1 or 2 Physical Disability Certificate, as well as those with a Grade 3 certificate limited to visual impairments, are eligible. The Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate covers Grades 1 to 3, making it more inclusive than Fujimino City. In Urayasu City, the subsidy amount is 2,000 yen per month (limited to one vehicle per household), and months with fuel costs below 2,000 yen are not eligible. Additionally, if a welfare taxi ticket is used in a month, the Automobile Fuel Subsidy cannot be received.

参照：自動車燃料費助成｜浦安市

2-2. Family members who support or live with the person with a disability can also use it

The Automobile Fuel Subsidy is available not only to the person with a disability but also to family members who support or live with them.

Many individuals with severe disabilities cannot drive themselves, so many municipalities include family members who live with or support the person with a disability and drive for them as eligible. However, it is only applicable when refueling for the transportation of the person with a disability. As seen in Fujimino City, some municipalities have conditions for the driver, such as "the person with a disability or someone living on the same premises must be the user and driver on the vehicle inspection certificate." Therefore, if using a vehicle under a family member's name or driven by a family member, be sure to check the requirements.

2-3. Conditions for receiving assistance and income restrictions

The Automobile Fuel Subsidy has conditions for use and income restrictions.

The conditions for use include meeting the grade of the disability certificate or rehabilitation certificate set by the municipality and being "residential."

Therefore, even if the person with a disability meets the criteria, they cannot apply if they are in a facility or hospitalized, so be cautious.

The income restriction amount is set by each municipality. As a reference, the standards for Kita City, Tokyo, are as follows:

参照：ガソリン券（自動車燃料費の助成）｜東京都北区

The income restriction is generally determined by the income of the person with a disability, but for those under 20, it is determined by the income of the guardian (supporting obligation). If the standard amount is exceeded, the subsidy will not be available. However, this standard amount varies by municipality. For example, in Meguro City, Tokyo, the standard is 3,661,000 yen for no dependents, with an additional 380,000 yen for each dependent. Also, the above income amount is the amount after various deductions from the annual income. Depending on the household situation, the following deductions may apply.

• Casualty loss deduction for the income earner
• Medical expense deduction
• Social insurance premium deduction
• Small business mutual aid premium deduction
• Widow's deduction
• Working student deduction
• Deduction for spouse
• Disability deduction for dependent relatives
• Special disability deduction
• Special spouse deduction

Reference: Automobile Fuel Subsidy｜Meguro City

If you qualify for the above deductions, you can reduce your income amount, so before giving up on applying due to income restrictions, it is recommended to consult with your local government office.

3. Differences in gasoline distribution methods and amounts by municipality

The Automobile Fuel Subsidy varies by municipality in terms of gasoline distribution methods and amounts.

The distribution method for gasoline is generally through vouchers called gasoline vouchers (automobile fuel vouchers) or welfare fuel vouchers, as explained earlier.

However, some municipalities provide cash payments to designated bank accounts.

Additionally, municipalities like Mitaka City, Tokyo, provide subsidies based on the amount of gasoline used (refueling volume).

Subsidies are provided at 50 yen per liter, with a monthly limit of 50 liters. The subsidy amount is calculated based on the monthly usage.

Source: Mitaka City Physical and Mental Disability Automobile Fuel Subsidy｜Mitaka City

The subsidy amounts also vary significantly by municipality, as shown below.

• Niigata City: Annual amount of 10,000 yen (5,000 yen if eligibility is obtained from October to March of the following year)
• Koriyama City: Annual amount of 15,000 yen (varies in the first year depending on the application month)
• Sumida Ward: Annual maximum of 30,000 yen (reduced by 5,000 yen per application month)