V.A. Home Modification Grants
What V.A. home modification programs are available?
The V.A. has three main programs to provide home-modification grants to veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants. An SAH grant is intended to help modify a home to make it wheelchair accessible or otherwise "barrier free" for certain veterans whose service-connected disabilities make it impossible for them to live independently without such modifications. An SAH grant can be as much as $63,780.
An SAH grant is available to veterans who receive V.A. service-connected disability compensation for permanent and total disability due to:
Loss or loss of use of both legs to the extent that the veteran cannot walk or otherwise get around independently without braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
Loss or loss of use of one leg together with another disability that affects balance or the ability to walk or otherwise get around without braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
Blindness in both eyes, plus loss or loss of use of one leg.
Loss or loss of use of both arms.
Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grants. An SHA grant helps pay to modify a home to meet the needs of a veteran with a certain type and level of disability and who needs assistance with safe mobility around the house. An SHA grant for such modifications can be as high as $12,756.
Note: This SHA grant may be available to a veteran who is or will be temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member, for modifications to that home.
An SHA grant may be available to a veteran with disability compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability, including:
Blindness in both eyes (5/200 visual acuity or less).
Loss or loss of use of both hands or of arms below the elbow.
Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) grants. A HISA grant provides funds for home improvements necessary for a disabled veteran to have access around the house and to essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. A HISA grant is available to a veteran who has received a medical determination by the V.A. that alterations to the home are necessary or appropriate for the effective treatment of the disability or for access. A veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either an SHA or SAH grant. The rules for HISA grants -- what they cover and what they don't -- are complicated and require participation by the person or company that will be doing the home alterations.
Note: A HISA grant is available to a disabled veteran even if the disability isn't service-connected.
HISA grants are for up to $4,100 for a veteran whose disability is service-connected, and up to $1,200 for a veteran whose disability isn't service-connected.
How can I apply for a V.A. Home Modification grant?
You apply for an SAH or SHA grant by filling out V.A. Form 26-4555 and submitting it to a V.A. regional office.
You apply for a HISA grant by filling out an Application for Assistance and submitting it to a local V.A. medical center.
Where can I get help applying for a V.A. Home Modification grant?
The V.A. provides specialized information and assistance about housing modification through its Specially Adapted Housing Agents, available in each state.
For general assistance with any V.A.-related question or problem by phone or in person, contact a V.A. Vet Center or V.A. Veterans Benefits Administration office. The V.A. also has a toll-free telephone help line at 800-827-1000.
