VA housing grants for disabled veterans

If you bought your current home before your service-related injury, you may find it difficult to live independently. Without certain accessibility features, it’s easy to find yourself confined to a small portion of your home, with everyday daily tasks becoming a physical and mental burden. And installing disability features, like stair lifts, cabinet and sink modifications, and roll-in showers, can cost thousands of dollars.

That’s why the Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability housing grants for veterans. These grants provide the funds to buy, build, or modify your current home to accommodate your disability. Learning more about the requirements and application process will help you find the best fit for your situation. 

What are VA housing grants?

VA housing grants are funds available to veterans with a service-related disability for home-related expenses. You can use the money to buy or change your current home to meet your needs. These changes could involve things like widening hallways or installing stair ramps. 

Unlike VA home loans for disabled veterans, grants don’t have to be repaid, making them a good option for veterans living on a limited income. However, grants are also more competitive to qualify for, since the VA only accepts a limited number of veterans and service members each fiscal year. 

Types of VA housing grants for disabled veterans

If you’re just starting to explore your financial assistance options, here are four different grants you can consider.

Specially adapted housing (SAH) grant

The SAH grant is available to disabled veterans who want to buy or build a new home or modify their primary residence. This program is often used for new construction or major modifications. For example, if you’re updating your current home, you might use the funds to make major modifications to your primary bedroom or bathroom.  

Eligibility requirements

To qualify, you must be a current or prospective homeowner and plan to live in the property on a permanent basis. You also must meet the following service-connected disability criteria:

• You lost or lost the use of more than one limb.
• You lost or lost the use of a lower leg, along with the lasting effects of a disease or injury.
• You have blindness in both eyes.
• You have certain severe burns.
• You lost or lost the use of your foot or leg after September 11, 2001, so you can’t walk or balance without the use of crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.

Funding amount

If you qualify for the SAH grant, you can receive up to $121,812 for fiscal year 2025. Amounts are awarded based on the severity of your disability and the cost of construction or home modifications. However, you don’t have to spend the full amount you’re awarded at once — you can use it six different times over multiple years.  

Special home adaptation (SHA) grant

The SHA grant is for buying, building, or modifying a permanent home, but it’s often used for lower-cost improvements than the SAH grant would allow. Minor renovations might include installing a ramp or widening the doorways. 

Eligibility requirements

One of the benefits of the SAH grant is that it has more flexible requirements. The applicant still must have a qualifying service-connected disability, but either the applicant or a family member can be the owner or prospective buyer. Qualifying service-related disabilities include:

• You lost or lost the use of both hands.
• You have certain severe burns.
• You have certain respiratory or breathing injuries.

Funding amount

The current maximum grant limit is $24,405 for fiscal year 2025, depending on the severity of your disability and the necessary modifications. Like the SAH grant, you can use the funds up to six times over multiple years. 

Temporary residence adaptation (TRA) grant

This home improvement grant is designed for veterans who are temporarily residing in a family member’s home and need to make adaptations for accessibility due to their physical disability. Eligible adaptations include wider doorways, ramps, and bathroom modifications. 

Eligibility requirements

This requires meeting either the SAH or SHA grant requirements for a service-connected disability. However, you don’t have to own the modified property. 

Funding amount

The maximum amount you qualify for depends on whether you meet the SAH or SHA criteria. Here are the maximum amounts for both:

• SAH: $49,062 for FY 2025
• SHA: $8,760 for FY 2025

This grant can be used once, and it counts as one of your six available uses for either SAH or SHA grants.

Home improvement and structural alterations (HISA) grant

The HISA grant is for medically necessary home improvements and alterations to a disabled veteran’s primary residence. However, it’s not for building a new home. You could use it to allow entrance or exit from the home, modify your bathroom, or lower the counters or sinks. 

Eligibility requirements

You may be eligible for an HISA grant if your home improvements are medically necessary to address one of the following:

• A service-connected disability: Veterans whose disability resulted directly from military service may qualify for an HISA grant to make structural changes that improve accessibility.
• A compensable disability: Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability may also qualify for funding to support medically required alterations.
• A non-service-connected disability: Veterans with a non-service-connected disability can also receive an HISA grant if they have a service-connected disability rated at 50% or higher or if the modifications are necessary to improve mobility, safety, or overall quality of life.

Funding amount

The current lifetime benefit amounts depend on the applicant’s disability status:

• $6,800 in fiscal year 2025 for a service-connected disability, compensable disability meeting the VA criteria, or non-service-connected disability.
• $2,000 in fiscal year 2025 for other eligible disabled veterans.

How to apply for VA housing grants

The VA also lets people apply by mail or in person, but the following steps outline the online application process. Here’s how you can apply for a VA housing grant.

Step 1: Get ready to apply

Before applying, it’s a good idea to review the requirements for each grant to determine which you might qualify for. From there, you can gather any necessary documentation, like your Social Security number, VA file or claim number, medical documents, and estimates of cost.

Step 2: Review your application options

Different grant programs have different application options available. For example, you can apply online, in person, and by mail for SAH, SHA, and TRA grants. In comparison, the HISA grant may require contacting a local facility. You’ll also need to fill out VA Form 26-4555, which you can download on the VA’s website.

Step 3: Complete the grant application

The next step is to complete the VA grant application, which includes the following information:

• Your personal and service information, like your name, address, and VA claim number.
• Details about your disability and whether it’s service-connected or non-service-connected.
• A description of the planned home improvements or modifications, including estimates or plans from licensed contractors.
• A prescription or statement from a doctor explaining why the improvements are medically necessary.
• Proof of property ownership or landlord consent, if you’re renting.

If you need assistance, you can reach out to a VA staff member for help. 

Step 4: Await the VA’s decision

After submitting your application, the VA will review your request to ensure all required information is included and that the proposed improvements meet eligibility guidelines. You can track your application status online through your VA.gov account or by contacting your local VA regional office directly.

Once a decision has been made, the VA will notify you by mail or through your VA.gov account. If your application is approved, you’ll receive information about the grant amount, payment process, and next steps for completing the home modifications.

If your application is denied or you disagree with the decision, you have the right to appeal. You can file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) through the VA’s appeals process, which allows you to submit additional evidence or request a review of your case.

VA mortgage help for disabled veterans

In addition to grant programs, the VA offers mortgage help for disabled veterans. If you’re considering buying, building, or refinancing a home, these programs can work together to make homeownership more affordable and accessible. 

For example, you could use a VA home loan to purchase a property and then apply for one of the adaptation grants to modify the home to meet accessibility needs. This combination ensures your housing solution is affordable and functional for your specific disability-related needs.

VA funding fee exemption

When you take out a VA loan, most borrowers pay a one-time VA funding fee, which covers the cost of the loan program and reduces the burden for taxpayers. The fee ranges from 0.5% to 2.15% of the loan amount, depending on the type of loan and whether it’s the borrower’s first-time using VA benefits.

However, veterans receiving VA disability compensation are usually exempt from paying the funding fee. If you qualify, the exemption is typically applied automatically when your lender verifies your disability status through the VA’s system. 

Consideration of disability income

If you receive VA disability compensation, these payments can be considered a source of income when applying for a VA loan. And when you apply for loan preapproval, lenders can count this income toward your total qualifying income, which helps determine how much you can borrow. This can be especially helpful for veterans who rely primarily on disability payments or have limited other income sources.

However, borrowers still need to be able to meet the lender’s standard credit and DTI ratio requirements. Lenders will also review your assets and financial obligations to ensure you can afford the loan long-term.

The bottom line: VA housing grants can help you adapt your home

VA housing grants can provide the funds to modify, build, or purchase a home that meets your accessibility needs. Programs like the SAH, SHA, TRA, and HISA grants each offer unique benefits depending on your situation, and many veterans can combine these with VA home loan advantages, like funding fee exemptions and disability income consideration.

Before applying, take time to review the eligibility requirements and gather the necessary documentation to ensure a smooth process. And if you’re ready to apply for a VA loan, Rocket Mortgage® can help you explore your options and guide you through the next steps toward homeownership.

Rocket Mortgage is a VA-approved lender, not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or tax advice. You should consult a qualified financial or tax professional before making decisions regarding your retirement funds or mortgage.

Refinancing may increase finance charges over the life of the loan.