VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)

This grant provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to veterans/servicemembers’ primary residence for the following purposes: Allowing entrance to or exit from their homes, use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities (e.g. roll in showers), allowing accessibility to kitchen or bathroom sinks or counters (e.g. lowering counters/sinks), improving entrance paths or driveways in immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through construction of permanent ramping, and improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to installation of home medical equipment.

HISA will not pay for: walkways to exterior buildings, spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi, exterior decking or new construction.

HISA Grant Amounts Lifetime HISA benefit up to $6,800 may be provided for veterans and servicemembers who have a service connected condition, and veterans who have a non-service connected condition rated 50% or more service connected.

Lifetime benefit up to $2,000 may be provided for veterans who have a non-service connected condition.

Applying for a HISA Grant When applying for the HISA benefit, a completed HISA application package must include the following: (1) A prescription written or approved by a VA physician which includes the beneficiaries name, address and telephone number, identification of the improvement or structural alteration and the diagnosis and medical justification for the improvement or structural alteration; (2) A completed and signed VA Form 10-0103, VETERANS APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE In Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations; if applying for an advanced payment, request on application; (3) For Renters: A signed and notarized statement from the owner authorizing the improvement or structural alteration; (4) A written itemized estimate of costs for labor, materials, permits, and inspections for the home improvement and structural alteration. Note: An inspection of the site by VA may be warranted; (5) A color photograph of the unimproved area.

Blake Hyfield is the post service officer for the local VFW and American Legion posts. He can be reached at bhpegleg@yahoo.com.