Disability Housing Grants for Veterans
Changing a home might involve installing ramps or widening doorways. Find out if you’re eligible for a disability housing grant—and how to apply.
SAH Grant eligibility for your permanent home
Can I get a SAH (Specially Adapted Housing) grant?
If you qualify for an SAH grant, you can get up to $117,014 for FY 2024.
You may be able to get an SAH grant if you’re using the grant money to buy, build, or change your permanent home (a home you plan to live in for a long time) and you meet both of these requirements.
Both of these must be true:
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You own or will own the home, and
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You have a qualifying service-connected disability
Qualifying service-connected disabilities include:
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The loss or loss of use of more than one limb
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The loss or loss of use of a lower leg along with the residuals (lasting effects) of an organic (natural) disease or injury
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Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less)
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Certain severe burns
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The loss, or loss of use, of one lower extremity (foot or leg) after September 11, 2001, which makes it so you can’t balance or walk without the help of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair
Note: Only 120 Veterans and service members each fiscal year (FY) can qualify for a grant based on the loss of one extremity after September 11, 2001, as set by Congress.
A fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. If you qualify for a grant in the current fiscal year but you can’t receive it because of the 120-grant limit, you may be able to receive this benefit in future years.
SHA Grant eligibility for your permanent home
Can I get a SHA (Specially Home Adaptation) grant?
If you qualify for an SHA grant, you can get up to $23,444 for FY 2024.
You may be able to get an SHA grant if you’re using the grant money to buy, build, or change your permanent home (a home you plan to live in for a long time) and you meet both of these requirements. Both of these must be true:
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You or a family member own or will own the home, and
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You have a qualifying service-connected disability
Qualifying service-connected disabilities include:
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The loss or loss of use of both hands
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Certain severe burns
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Certain respiratory or breathing injuries
NOTE: Do I have to use the total grant amount this year?
No. If you’re eligible for an SAH or SHA grant, you can use money from your grant up to 6 different times over your lifetime.
Go to these videos to learn more about the SAH and SHA grant program:
Get more information
Learn more about the design options and other information in our housing design handbook.
Read the Guide for Specially Adapted Housing and Special Housing Adaptation Projects (PDF)
HISA (Home Improvements/Structural Alterations)
This benefit provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence for the following purposes:
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Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence
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Use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g. roll-in showers)
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Allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g. lowering counters/sinks)
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Improving entrance paths or driveways in immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through construction of permanent ramping
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Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to installation of home medical equipment
HISA will not pay for:
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Walkways to exterior buildings
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Spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi
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Exterior decking
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New Construction
HISA Benefit Amounts / Lifetime benefit for Veterans and Servicemembers.
$6,800 will be approved to:
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Address a service-connected disability
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Address a compensable disability treated “as if” is a service-connected disability and for which the Veteran entitled to medical services under 38 USC 1710(a)(2)(c) (e.g., disability acquired through treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA)
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Address a non-service- connected disability, if the beneficiary has a service-connected disability rated at least 50 percent disability (no combining or combination of disability percentages is allowed).
$2,000 will be approved to:
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Address a disability that is not covered above
Note: All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service connected disability and/or non-service connected disability. Please contact your local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to determine your available lifetime HISA benefits.
EXAMPLE:
BEFORE
AFTER
What does HISA exclude?
Some excluded HISA structural alterations are exterior decking; purchase or installation of spa/ hot tubs/ Jacuzzi type tubs; home security systems; removable equipment or appliances such as portable ramps; porch lifts, and stair glides; and routine repairs as part of regular home maintenance like replacements of roofs, furnaces, or air conditioners..
Additional Information
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Use the Facility Locator to contact the local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service near you for individual inquiries and eligibility information.
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Learn more about VBA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant.
When applying for the HISA benefit, (Package must include the following):
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1. A prescription written or approved by a VA physician which includes:
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The beneficiary’s name, address and telephone number;
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A description of the prescribed project, including the area of the home to be improved or structurally altered; type of modification and all alternatives to the modifications; and item requiring installation.
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The diagnosis and medical justification for the prescribed improvement or structural alteration.
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The medical justification should demonstrate the project’s clinical appropriateness, that is, the beneficiary’s clinical needs should support the type of home improvement or structural alterations being prescribed.
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2. A completed and signed VA Form 10-0103, VETERANS APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE In Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations
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If applying for an advanced payment, request on application
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3. FOR RENTERS: A signed and notarized statement from the owner authorizing the improvement or structural alteration
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4. A written itemized estimate of costs for labor, materials, permits, and inspections for the home improvement and structural alteration
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5. A color photograph of the unimproved area
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NOTE: An inspection of the site by VA may be warranted.
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