Everything you Need to Know About Veteran Program
The department of Veterans’ Affairs [VA] provides several grants for veterans to make home modifications to accommodate their disabilities connected to their time in the military or disability from aging. One of the popular grants is Home Improvement and Structural Alterations [HISA]. Here is what you need to know about it.
Home Improvement and Structural Program
HISA Grants provides financial resources to disabled veterans to make essential modifications to their homes to enhance access, particularly mobility, to enable use of lavatory facilities. It may cover widening of doors, addition of handrails, modified staircase, bathroom remodeling to name a few. The grant money comes from the veteran’s local regional medical center budget.
Eligibility
A veteran’s disability does not have to be connected to their time in military. However, those with these disabilities are eligible for higher grant amount.
Regardless of how one got the disability, a veteran must have a Veterans Affairs doctor’s prescription indicating the medical reason for home modification and the diagnosis as well. Also key to note, the veteran does not need to own the home requiring modifications, as long they have the go ahead from the home owner.
What the grant allows
HISA allows for the following:
Use of necessary sanitary and lavatory facilities
- Improving plumbing and electrical systems for the installation of home medical equipment
- Allowing entrance and exit from homes
- Facilitating movement to kitchen or bathroom counters or sinks
- Improving driveways or entrance paths
What HISA doesn’t cover
HISA does not pay for:
- Exterior decking
- Jacuzzi, spa or hot tub
- Walkways to exterior buildings
HISA Benefits and Limits
Lifetime HISA benefit of up to $6, 800 may be offered for military veterans who have a service connected disability. It is also available for veterans who have a non-service connected condition rated 50% or more service connected.
Offered also is a lifetime benefit up to $2,000 for veterans who have a non-service connected condition.
Application Process
As earlier mentioned, HISA is available to veterans who have received a medical determination specifying that improvements and structural alterations are essential or suitable for the effective and economic benefit of a disability.
To apply, the veteran must have a VA prescription that must include:
- Specific items required
- Veteran’s name, address, phone number, and SSN
- The diagnosis with medical justification
- The needed modification
On top of the items required, site drawings and contractor costs must be compiled and submitted as well.
Bathroom Modification Project
One can receive for bathroom modifications such as bathroom remodeling and bathtub modifications from several contractors.
Bathroom contractors take on bathroom modification projects of disabled veterans to allow safe and accessibility to their existing bathrooms. They also convert existing bathtubs to walk-in or roll-in showers.
Bathroom contractors will also include the necessary grab bars and ADA toilets that are tailored and personalized to cater for the veteran’s needs.
Get Professional Assistance
As the application process can be challenging in some cases, you can get help from professionals. Professionals in this field will help you in the process from start to finish. They will ensure that you get the necessary modifications and equipment to live a more comfortable life.
Co”2”PEverything you Need to Know About Veteran Program
The department of Veterans’ Affairs [VA] provides several grants for veterans to make home modifications to accommodate their disabilities connected to their time in the military or disability from aging. One of the popular grants is Home Improvement and Structural Alterations [HISA]. Here is what you need to know about it.
Home Improvement and Structural Program
HISA Grants provides financial resources to disabled veterans to make essential modifications to their homes to enhance access, particularly mobility, to enable use of lavatory facilities. It may cover widening of doors, addition of handrails, modified staircase, bathroom remodeling to name a few. The grant money comes from the veteran’s local regional medical center budget.
Eligibility
A veteran’s disability does not have to be connected to their time in military. However, those with these disabilities are eligible for higher grant amount.
Regardless of how one got the disability, a veteran must have a Veterans Affairs doctor’s prescription indicating the medical reason for home modification and the diagnosis as well. Also key to note, the veteran does not need to own the home requiring modifications, as long they have the go ahead from the home owner.
What the grant allows
HISA allows for the following:
Use of necessary sanitary and lavatory facilities
- Improving plumbing and electrical systems for the installation of home medical equipment
- Allowing entrance and exit from homes
- Facilitating movement to kitchen or bathroom counters or sinks
- Improving driveways or entrance paths
What HISA doesn’t cover
HISA does not pay for:
- Exterior decking
- Jacuzzi, spa or hot tub
- Walkways to exterior buildings
HISA Benefits and Limits
Lifetime HISA benefit of up to $6, 800 may be offered for military veterans who have a service connected disability. It is also available for veterans who have a non-service connected condition rated 50% or more service connected.
Offered also is a lifetime benefit up to $2,000 for veterans who have a non-service connected condition.
Application Process
As earlier mentioned, HISA is available to veterans who have received a medical determination specifying that improvements and structural alterations are essential or suitable for the effective and economic benefit of a disability.
To apply, the veteran must have a VA prescription that must include:
- Specific items required
- Veteran’s name, address, phone number, and SSN
- The diagnosis with medical justification
- The needed modification
On top of the items required, site drawings and contractor costs must be compiled and submitted as well.
Bathroom Modification Project
One can receive for bathroom modifications such as bathroom remodeling and bathtub modifications from several contractors.
Bathroom contractors take on bathroom modification projects of disabled veterans to allow safe and accessibility to their existing bathrooms. They also convert existing bathtubs to walk-in or roll-in showers.
Bathroom contractors will also include the necessary grab bars and ADA toilets that are tailored and personalized to cater for the veteran’s needs.
Get Professional Assistance
As the application process can be challenging in some cases, you can get help from professionals. Professionals in this field will help you in the process from start to finish. They will ensure that you get the necessary modifications and equipment to live a more comfortable life.