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SAH, SHA and HISA Grants: Making Home Modifications for Elderly and Disabled Veterans
Veterans' Assistance Grants for Home Modifications
The Veterans’ Administration provides 3 types of grants for veterans to enable them to make home modifications to accommodate for their disabilities. Of these 3 grants, the HISA Grant is the most appropriate for the elderly because the grant is not limited to those individuals with service-connected disabilities.
1. Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) Grant
2. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
3. Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
1. Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) Grant
2. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
3. Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant
There is also assistance for veterans in the form of Veterans-Directed Home and Community Based Services and the Aid and Attendance Program.
HISA Grant Description
HISA Grants offer financial resources to disabled veterans to make modifications to their homes to improve access, mobility and in particular to facilitate use of the lavatory facilities. The veteran’s disability does not have to be related to their military service. However, those whose disability is service-connected are eligible for a higher grant amount.
HISA Grant Eligibility
Veterans must have a doctor’s prescription that states the diagnosis and the medical reason for needing the home modification. The veteran does not necessarily need to own the home in which the modification is being made provided they have the permission of the homeowner.
HISA Grant Benefits
The maximum 2011 HISA benefit limit for veterans whose disability is not related to their military service is $2,000. For veterans with service-connected disabilities that limit is $6,800.
How to Apply for a HISA Grant
An application for HISA grant is available here. Veterans must have a medical prescription stating the need as well as bids from 3 contractors for the cost of the work. More information is available from the Veterans Administration here.
HISA Grants offer financial resources to disabled veterans to make modifications to their homes to improve access, mobility and in particular to facilitate use of the lavatory facilities. The veteran’s disability does not have to be related to their military service. However, those whose disability is service-connected are eligible for a higher grant amount.
HISA Grant Eligibility
Veterans must have a doctor’s prescription that states the diagnosis and the medical reason for needing the home modification. The veteran does not necessarily need to own the home in which the modification is being made provided they have the permission of the homeowner.
HISA Grant Benefits
The maximum 2011 HISA benefit limit for veterans whose disability is not related to their military service is $2,000. For veterans with service-connected disabilities that limit is $6,800.
How to Apply for a HISA Grant
An application for HISA grant is available here. Veterans must have a medical prescription stating the need as well as bids from 3 contractors for the cost of the work. More information is available from the Veterans Administration here.
SAH Grant Description
SAH Grants, also referred to as 2101(a) Grants, provide financial resources to veterans for home modifications to make their place of residence wheelchair accessible. However, unlike the HISA Grant, this assistance is available only to veterans with service connected disabilities that include the loss or loss of function in at least one of their legs.
As this grant is for service related disabilities only, most elderly veterans are not eligible. However, there is no time limit therefore some individuals may be eligible if they have a disability related to their military service that has become progressively worse with age and eventually required them to use a wheelchair.
SAH Grant Eligibility
Veterans must have a service related disability that results in the loss of function in at least one leg. More detailed disability requirements are available from the VA here.
SAH Grant Benefits
The maximum allowable limit for the SAH grant is $63,780.
How to Apply for a SAH Grant
Veteran should complete VA Form 26-4555 and submit it to their local VA Regional Loan Center.
SAH Grants, also referred to as 2101(a) Grants, provide financial resources to veterans for home modifications to make their place of residence wheelchair accessible. However, unlike the HISA Grant, this assistance is available only to veterans with service connected disabilities that include the loss or loss of function in at least one of their legs.
As this grant is for service related disabilities only, most elderly veterans are not eligible. However, there is no time limit therefore some individuals may be eligible if they have a disability related to their military service that has become progressively worse with age and eventually required them to use a wheelchair.
SAH Grant Eligibility
Veterans must have a service related disability that results in the loss of function in at least one leg. More detailed disability requirements are available from the VA here.
SAH Grant Benefits
The maximum allowable limit for the SAH grant is $63,780.
How to Apply for a SAH Grant
Veteran should complete VA Form 26-4555 and submit it to their local VA Regional Loan Center.
SHA Grants, also known as 2101(b) Grants, are provided to disabled veterans to make home modifications necessary to allow them to continue to live independently despite blindness or the loss of use of their hands resulting from an injury sustained during their military service. The maximum SHA grant benefit amount is $12,756. Veterans can apply at any VA office. More information can be found in this VA pamphlet.
Use our Eldercare Financial Resource Locator Tool to find other public and private programs that can help pay for or reduce the costs of long term care for the elderly.
