Home Improvements/Structural Alterations (HISA)

[Tbird]

Home Improvements/Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

This benefit provides medically necessary improvements and structural alterations to Veterans/Servicemembers’ primary residence for the following purposes:

• Allowing entrance to or exit from the primary residence
• 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 the immediate area of the home to facilitate access to the home through the construction of permanent ramping
• Improving plumbing or electrical systems made necessary due to the installation of home medical equipment

HISA will not pay for:

• Walkways to exterior buildings
• Spa, hot tub, or Jacuzzi
• Exterior decking
• New Construction

HISA Benefit Amounts

Lifetime benefits for Veterans and Servicemembers.

$6,800 will be approved to:

• Address a service-connected disability
• Address a compensable disability treated “as if” is a service-connected disability and for which the Veteran is entitled to medical services under 38 USC 1710(a)(2)(c) (e.g., disability acquired through treatment or vocational rehabilitation provided by VA)
• Address a non-service-connected disability if the beneficiary has a service-connected disability rated at least 50 percent disability (no combining or combination of disability percentages is allowed).

$2,000 will be approved to:

• Address a disability that is not covered above

Note: All HISA projects must be medically justified for the service-connected and/or non-service-connected disability. Don't hesitate to contact your local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to determine your available lifetime HISA benefits.

What does HISA exclude?

Some excluded HISA structural alterations are exterior decking, the purchase or installation of spas/ hot tubs/Jacuzzi-type tubs, home security systems, removable equipment or appliances such as portable ramps, porch lifts, and stair glides, and routine repairs as part of regular home maintenance, like replacing roofs, furnaces, or air conditioners.

HISA Process Map

A copy can be downloaded here for a complete map of the HISA process.

Additional Information

• Use the Facility Locator to contact the local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service near you for individual inquiries and eligibility information.
• Learn more about VBA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grants.

Applying for a HISA Benefit

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:

(a) The beneficiary’s name, address and telephone number;

(b) A description of the prescribed project, including the area of the home to be improved or structurally altered; type of modification and all alternatives to the modifications; and items requiring installation.

(c) The diagnosis and medical justification for the prescribed improvement or structural alteration. The medical justification should demonstrate the project’s clinical appropriateness, that is, the beneficiary’s clinical needs should support the type of home improvement or structural alterations being prescribed.

(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 the 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

(5) A color photograph of the unimproved area

NOTE: An inspection of the site by VA may be warranted.

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[Lemuel]

Be sure to get all you can get from O T before you ask for HISA.  That grant is a onetime thing.  Save it for most needed items you cannot get from O T (rehab in VAHA)