VA Housing Grants for Disabled Veterans

The VA offers several grants to help veterans with service-connected disabilities modify their homes for accessibility. Below is a breakdown of three key grants: HISA, SHA, and SAH, including eligibility, application steps, and the available grant amounts.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

Purpose:
Helps veterans make medically necessary improvements or structural changes to their home.

Who Is Eligible?

• Veterans with both service-connected and non-service-connected conditions.
• Must have a medical need for modifications (e.g., ramps, grab bars, etc.).

How Much Can You Receive?

• Up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected conditions.
• Up to $2,000 for veterans with non-service-connected conditions.

What Can It Cover?

• Structural changes like ramps, handrails, and improvements to access doorways and bathrooms.

How to Apply: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/psas/hisa2.asp

1. Contact your VA medical center.
2. Get a prescription from a VA physician detailing the necessary improvements.
3. Submit VA Form 10-0103 (HISA Grant Application) along with the prescription.

Website:
Visit the VA HISA Program page for details.

Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant

Purpose:
Assists veterans with specific service-connected disabilities to adapt or purchase a home.

Who Is Eligible?

• Veterans with certain disabilities (e.g., blindness in both eyes, severe burns, or the loss of use of both hands or certain lower extremities).

How Much Can You Receive?

• Up to $23,000 (2024 amount, adjusted annually) to buy, build, or adapt a home.

What Can It Cover?

• Home modifications like ramps, wider doorways, and other accessibility-related renovations.

How to Apply: 

1. Obtain medical documentation confirming eligibility.
2. Fill out VA Form 26-4555 (Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant).
3. Submit the form online via ebenefits, by mail, or at your local VA office.

Website:
Visit the SHA Grant page for more information.

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant

Purpose:
Helps severely disabled veterans build or adapt a home to live independently.

Who Is Eligible?

• Veterans with service-connected disabilities such as:
• Loss of use of both legs.
• Blindness in both eyes.
• Certain severe burns or respiratory injuries.

How Much Can You Receive?

• Up to $109,986 (2024 amount, adjusted annually).

What Can It Cover?

• Adaptations to make homes wheelchair-accessible, including ramps, widening doors, and installing grab bars.

How to Apply:

1. Complete VA Form 26-4555 (Application for Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing).
2. Submit the form via ebenefits, by mail, or in person at your nearest VA office.

Website:
For more details, visit the SAH Grant page.

Summary Table: VA Housing Grants

For more details on each grant, visit the official VA website at www.va.gov or contact your local VA office. These grants are designed to ensure veterans can live with dignity, safety, and independence in their own homes.

What is Service Connection?

Service connection refers to the VA's acknowledgment that a veteran's disability or medical condition is directly linked to their military service. Establishing service connection is crucial for veterans seeking benefits, as it determines eligibility for various compensation programs and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

→ To qualify for service connection, veterans must provide evidence that their condition was either caused or aggravated by their time in service. 

→ This can include documentation of injuries sustained during deployment, medical records, and testimony regarding the onset of symptoms. 

→ Once a service connection is established, veterans can access benefits such as disability compensation, health care services, and housing assistance to help them navigate life after military service.