(a) VA shall deduct from amounts payable to persons under § 17.100(b), an amount equal to $3 for each one-way trip to a VA facility, up to a maximum of $18 in any calendar month. Persons required to make more than six one-way visits per calendar month will receive full travel reimbursement after the $18 cap is met.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this section may be waived when imposition of the deductible would cause severe financial hardship. Loss of employment, or sudden illness or disability causing the beneficiary's income in the year of application to fall below the maximum level of VA pension, shall be deemed to constitute severe financial hardship.

(c) Transportation will not be authorized for the cost of travel by taxi or a hired car for visually impaired veterans (as a special mode), or by privately owned vehicle in any amount in excess of the cost of such travel by other forms of public transportation unless public transportation is not reasonably accessible or would be medically inadvisable.

(d) Transportation will not be authorized for the cost of travel in excess of the actual expense incurred by any person as certified by that person in writing.