VA HISA Grants: Home Improvements for Veterans
The VA's HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) grant provides up to $6,800 lifetime for veterans with a service-connected disability, or up to $2,000 lifetime for non-service-connected conditions. It requires a prescription from a VA physician documenting medical necessity, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline.
The HISA grant is specifically for veterans and is one of the more straightforward financial assistance programs on this list, precisely because it’s a single federal program rather than a state-by-state patchwork like Medicaid.
What the grant covers and how much it pays
HISA funds “medically necessary improvements and structural alterations” to a veteran’s primary residence — the VA’s HISA program page (opens in a new tab) specifically cites examples like improving entrance and exit access, and improving access to essential bathroom facilities. The lifetime benefit amount depends on whether your condition is service-connected:
- Up to $6,800 lifetime for veterans with a service-connected disability
- Up to $2,000 lifetime for veterans with a non-service-connected condition
This is a lifetime cap, not an annual one — once you’ve used the full benefit, it isn’t renewed.
How to apply
A completed HISA application requires a prescription written or approved by a VA physician, including your information, a description of the proposed project, and the diagnosis and medical justification for the specific improvement. There’s no fixed application deadline — HISA accepts applications on a rolling, ongoing basis.
Start by talking to your VA primary care provider or a VA social worker about the specific modification you need — they’re the ones who can initiate the required prescription and documentation, so this is a conversation to have early in your planning, not after you’ve already selected a contractor.
HISA versus other VA home modification benefits
HISA is one of several VA home modification benefits; the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants are separate, larger programs for veterans with more significant service-connected disabilities, generally intended for major home modifications or new construction rather than smaller accessibility improvements. If your needs are extensive, ask your VA representative whether SAH or SHA might apply in addition to, or instead of, HISA.
Combining HISA with other assistance
Since HISA has a relatively modest lifetime cap, many veterans combine it with other programs — a Medicaid HCBS waiver (opens in a new tab) if otherwise eligible, or a medical expense tax deduction (opens in a new tab) for costs HISA doesn’t fully cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veteran use HISA and Medicaid HCBS at the same time?
Generally yes — VA benefits and Medicaid are separate programs, and using one doesn't automatically disqualify you from the other, though total costs and coverage should be coordinated carefully. Check with both your VA social worker and your state Medicaid agency about how a specific project would be covered across both.
What counts as a service-connected disability for HISA purposes?
A service-connected disability is one the VA has formally determined resulted from your military service, documented through the VA's disability rating process. If you're not sure whether your condition is officially rated as service-connected, contact the VA or a Veterans Service Officer to check your disability rating before applying.