VA HISA Grant: How Much You Can Get & How to Apply

At Altamira, we're committed to helping Veterans live safely and independently in their own homes. One of the most valuable — and most overlooked — resources available is the VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant, which funds medically necessary home modifications like ramps, roll-in showers, and widened doorways.

If you or a loved one is a Veteran, here's everything you need to know about the HISA grant — who qualifies, exactly what it covers, how much you can receive, how it compares to other VA housing grants, and how to apply step by step.

The HISA grant is a benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service that helps Veterans pay for permanent, medically necessary home modifications. Unlike VA home loan programs, HISA funds are a grant, not a loan — there's nothing to repay. And unlike the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants, which require a severe qualifying disability (such as loss of limb use or blindness), HISA is available to a much broader group of Veterans, including those with non-service-connected conditions.

In practice, HISA is the grant most Veterans and families reach for first, since it has the lowest eligibility bar of any VA home-modification benefit and can be used whether you own your home or rent it.

The amount you can receive depends on your service-connection status. This is a lifetime benefit — once you've used the maximum amount, you cannot apply again, so it's worth planning your modifications carefully.

Up to $6,800: For Veterans with a service-connected disability, or for Veterans with a non-service-connected disability rated 50% or higher
Up to $2,000: For all other Veterans with a non-service-connected disability

Good to know: HISA doesn't require a specific type or severity of disability — only a VA physician's documented medical necessity. That makes it accessible to far more Veterans than the SAH or SHA grants.

The HISA grant can be used for permanent, medically necessary structural modifications, including:

Installation of wheelchair ramps at entrances and exits
Widening doorways and hallways for wheelchair or walker access
Roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, and other bathroom safety upgrades
Lowering kitchen or bathroom counters and sinks for accessibility
Upgrading plumbing or electrical systems to support medical equipment
Grab bars, handrails, and stair modifications
Improving entrance paths and driveways to allow safer access

⚠️ Important: The grant does not cover routine home repairs, cosmetic upgrades, or any modification that isn't tied to a documented medical need. A hot tub for general relaxation, for example, wouldn't qualify — but a roll-in shower prescribed for safe bathing would.

HISA is one of four VA programs that help Veterans modify or adapt a home. If your needs are more extensive than HISA covers, it's worth knowing what else is available:

SAH Grant — Up to $126,526
For Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities, such as loss of use of both legs or blindness in both eyes. Can fund new construction.

SHA Grant — Up to $25,350
For Veterans with qualifying hand-loss, burn, or respiratory disabilities needing targeted structural changes.

TRA Grant — Up to $50,961
Helps adapt a family member's home when a Veteran is temporarily living there while SAH/SHA-eligible.

SAH and SHA can be used up to six times over a Veteran's lifetime and can be combined with HISA on the same property, since HISA covers modifications outside the SAH/SHA scope. If you're not sure which program fits your situation, your VA social worker or Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service can help determine eligibility.

The process involves several steps:

Get a prescription from your VA physician. The letter must document the exact medical need and the specific improvement required — for example, "Veteran requires a roll-in shower for safe bathing."
Complete VA Form 10-0103 (Veterans Application for Assistance in Acquiring Home Improvements and Structural Alterations). Download the form here: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-0103/
Gather supporting documents, typically including your physician's prescription, proof of home ownership (or landlord authorization if renting), and itemized contractor cost estimates for labor, materials, and permits.
Submit your application package to your local VA medical center's Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service for review.
Wait for approval before any work begins. Expenses incurred before VA approval are not reimbursed. Processing typically takes 30 to 90 days depending on your regional VA medical center.

Can I use the HISA grant if I rent my home?
Yes. HISA can be used in a rented residence, but you'll need written authorization from your landlord approving the planned modifications before the VA will process your application.

Can I combine HISA with the SAH or SHA grant?
Yes. HISA has an independent lifetime cap from SAH and SHA, so a Veteran who qualifies for both can use HISA funds for modifications outside the SAH/SHA scope on the same property.

How long does HISA approval take?
Most Veterans see a decision within 30 to 90 days after submitting a complete application, though timelines vary by regional VA medical center workload.

Is the HISA grant a one-time or annual benefit?
HISA is a lifetime benefit, not an annual one. Once you've used your full eligible amount ($6,800 or $2,000, depending on tier), you cannot reapply for additional HISA funds.

Does HISA cover cosmetic home upgrades?
No. HISA only covers structural modifications tied to a documented medical necessity, such as accessibility, safety, or treatment-related needs. Routine repairs and cosmetic upgrades are not eligible.