HOME LOAN GUARANTY

SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING PROGRAM

Disabilities determined by VA to be related toyour military service can lead to monthly non-taxable compensation, enrollment in 

the VA health care system, a10-point hiring preference for federal employment and other important benefits.Ask your VA 

representative or Veterans Service Organization representative about Disability Compensation,Pension,HealthCare,Caregiver 

Program,Career Services,Educational Assistance,Home Loan Guaranty,Insurance and/or Dependents andSurvivors’ Benefits.

OVERVIEW

The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program offers grants to certain Servicemembers and Veterans 

with severe service-connected disabilities to assist them in building, remodeling, or purchasing an 

adapted home.

WHAT IS A SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING (SAH) GRANT?

The SAH grant is designed to help disabled Veterans by providing a barrier-free living environment, 

such as a wheelchair accessible home, that affords Veterans a level of independent living they may not 

otherwise enjoy. 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, 

up to the current maximum of $73,768.

The SAH grant is available to certain Veterans and Servicemembers who are entitled to disability 

compensation 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, 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, affecting 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 at or above the elbows, or

• A severe burn injury.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL HOUSING ADAPTATION (SHA) GRANT?

The SHA grant can be used to increase the mobility of eligible Veteran and Servicemembers 

throughout their residences. Veterans and Servicemembers with specific service-connected 

disabilities may be entitled to this type of grant, up to the current maximum of $14,754. 
Home Loan Guaranty—January 2016 

The SHA grant is available to certain Veterans and Servicemembers who are entitled to disability 

compensation due to:

• Blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less in the better eye with the use of a

standard correcting lens or,

• The anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands or extremities below the elbow, or

• A severe burn injury.

WHAT IS A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE ASSISTANCE (TRA) GRANT?

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 $32,384 and for the SHA grant is $5,782.

WHAT IS A HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS (HISA) GRANT

Veterans and Servicemembers 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 Veteran may receive a HISA grant in conjunction with either a SAH or SHA grant. The 

HISA program is available for both Veterans with service-connected disabilities and Veterans with 

non-service-connected disabilities.

• Home improvement benefits up to $6,800 may be provided to Veterans with service-connected

disabilities.

• Home improvement benefits up to $2,000 may be provided to Veterans with non-serviceconnected disabilities.

Learn more about HISA grants. 

HOW CAN YOU APPLY?

You can apply 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 Loan Center. 

You may also apply online; please visit the Veteran’s portal at www.ebenefits.va.gov to register and 

submit an application for Specially Adapted Housing benefits.

Learn more about SAH grants. 

For more information, call toll-free 1-800-827-1000 or visit Our Web Site at Home Loan Guaranty.