Did you know that you can use Disable Veteran Grants for Home Remodel and Home Improvements.
VA has three main grant programs to assist disabled veterans and service members with necessary home modifications.
This article sets out 3 viable options for you to take advantage of. We set out detailed pros and cons of each option below.
Home Modification Programs
What Is a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant?
The SAH Grant is designed to help provide a barrier-free living environment that affords the individual a level of independent living they may not otherwise enjoy, such as creating a wheelchair accessible home. Veterans and servicemembers with specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to a grant for the purpose of constructing or modifying a home to meet their adaptive needs. This grant for 2017 was currently limited to $81,080.
The SAH grant is available to veterans who are and servicemembers who will be entitled to disability compensation for permanent and total disability due to:
- Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair, or
- Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity, or
- Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (1) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (2) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair or,
- Loss or loss of use of both upper extremities such as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbow, or
- A severe burn injury (as so determined)
What Is a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant?
The SHA grant is for modifying an existing home to meet adaptive needs, such as assistance with mobility throughout the home. Veterans and servicemembers with specific service-connected disabilities may be entitled to this type of grant. The grant for 2017 was limited to $15,462. A temporary grant may be available to veterans and servicemembers who are/will be temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member.
The SHA grant is available to veterans who are and servicemembers who will be entitled to disability compensation for permanent and total disability due to:
- Blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less or,
- The anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands or extremities below the elbow, or
- A severe burn injury (as so determined).
What Is a Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant?
Under the HISA program, veterans may receive assistance for any home improvement necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. A HISA grant is available to veterans who have received a medical determination indicating that improvements and structural alterations are necessary or appropriate for the effective and economical treatment of their disability. A veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either a SHA or SAH grant.
The HISA program is available for both service-connected veterans and non service-connected veterans.
- Home improvement benefits up to $6,800 may be provided to service-connected veterans.
- Home improvement benefits up to $2,000 be provided to nonservice-connected veterans.
Benefits
The SAH and SHA benefit amount is set by law, but may be adjusted upward annually based on a cost-of-construction index. The maximum dollar amount allowable for SAH grants in fiscal year 2019 is $85,645. The maximum dollar amount allowable for SHA grant in fiscal year 2019 is $17,130. No individual may use the grant benefit more than three times up to the maximum dollar amount allowable.
A temporary grant may be available to SAH/SHA eligible Veterans and Servicemembers who are or will be temporarily residing in a home owned by a family member. The maximum amount available to adapt a family member’s home for the SAH grant is $37,597 and for the SHA grant is $6,713.
How Can You Apply?
You can apply for the SAH and SHA grants by completing VA Form 26-4555, Veterans Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant, and submitting it to your local VA regional office.
You can apply for a HISA grant by completed VA Form 10-0103, Veterans Application for Assistance in Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations, and submitting it to your local VA medical center.
To apply for a grant, fill out and submit VA Form 26-4555, Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant. You can access this form by:
- Applying online via www.ebenefits.va.gov
- Downloading VA Form 26-4555, Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant and mailing it to your nearest Regional Loan Center
- Calling VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you
- Visiting the nearest VA regional office. Find the office nearest you by visiting VA Regional Office Locations or calling VA toll-free at 1-800-827-1000
You can always call us to find out more 614-600-4003
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