Making improvements to a home to improve accessibility can be financially out of reach for many of our seniors who want to stay at home. It's another well-kept secret that the VA has grant money to help some veterans with paying for home modifications.

A Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant provides cash assistance for home renovation or improvement necessary for the "continuation of treatment" in the home or to make certain parts of the home more accessible.

Among the things a HISA grant may cover are:

Making the home accessible (ramps, door latches, window handles)

Widening doorways

Installing accessible bathroom fixtures

Installing handrails and grab bars

Lowering kitchen counters

Lowering electrical switches and raising outlets

Improved flooring

Improving paths and driveways near the house

Veterans with a service-related disability may qualify for as much as $4,100. Veterans with a non-service related disability can qualify for a HISA lifetime grant up to $1,200.

Grants are available to veterans with both a medical need and limited financial resources. Those with non-service related disabilities who receive Medicaid or who receive a Pension benefit, including the Aid and Attendance or housebound rating, should meet the income and asset requirements.

Veterans who would like to apply for a HISA grant must file a completed VA Form 10-0103 with their local VA medical center, obtain a prescription from their physician for medically-necessary modifications, and provide quite a bit of information about what modifications will be done and who will do them. You can read complete information about HISA grants in the Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1173.14.     

While the process is cumbersome, the financing available through a VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant could be a key component in allowing your elder to stay at home safely.