Assistance Listings

Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans

Objectives

To help certain severely disabled veterans acquire a home which is suitably adapted to meet the special needs of their disabilities.

Examples of Funded Projects

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

SAH: For the housing unit, land, fixtures, and allowable expenses, up to $117,014. SAH Temporary Residence Assistance (TRA): $47,130. SHA: For adaptations to the veteran's residence, up to $23,444. SHA Temporary Residence Assistance (TRA): $8,415

Accomplishments

Account Identification

36-0137-0-1-702

Types of Assistance

C - Direct Payments for Specified Use

Credentials and Documentation

Applicant Eligibility

For a SAH grant, veterans are eligible if they are entitled to disability compensation for a permanent, total, and service-connected disability due to: (1) The loss or loss of use of more than one limb; (2) The loss or loss of use of a lower leg along with the residuals (lasting effects) of an organic (natural) disease or injury; (3) Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or less); (4) Certain severe burns; (5) The loss, or loss of use, of one lower extremity (foot or leg) after September 11, 2001, which makes it so you can’t balance or walk without the help of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. For an SHA grant, veterans are eligible if they are entitled to disability compensation for a permanent and total service-connected disability that include: (1) The loss or loss of use of both hands; (2) Certain severe burns; (3) Certain respiratory or breathing injuries.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Permanently and totally disabled veterans.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The way grant funds are released is dependent on the grant’s purpose (mortgage principle reduction or remodel and construction). Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum

Use of Assistance

a. The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant program helps Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities live independently in a barrier-free environment. SAH grants can be used in one of the following ways: (1) construct a suitable home on suitable land either already owned or to be acquired by the veteran, or (2) remodel an existing home if it can be suitably adapted, or (3) acquire a suitably adapted home or reduce the outstanding mortgage on a suitably adapted home already owned by the veteran. b. The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant program helps veterans with certain service-connected disabilities adapt or purchase a home to accommodate the disability. SHA grants can be used in one of the following ways: (1) adapt an existing home the veteran or a family member already owns in which the veteran lives; (2) adapt a home the veteran or family member intends to purchase in which the veteran will live; (3) help a veteran purchase a home already adapted in which the veteran will live. c. . The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant program provides adaptation assistance to veterans who are residing, but do not intend to permanently reside, in a residence owned by a family member. If a veteran is otherwise eligible for SAH or SHA, the assistance is limited. d. SAH and SHA grants may be used up to six times, as long as the aggregate grant amount does not exceed the statutory dollar limitation. TRA grants may only be used once (and count as a grant usage for purposes of the limit of six).

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Initial application for determination of basic eligibility may be made on VA Form 26-4555 to the VA Regional office holding the veteran's claim folder. Veterans can also apply through eBenefits at https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage. After eligibility is determined, a VA employee will personally assist the veteran throughout subsequent processing, including advice on a suitable house plan and lot, adaptive features, location of a qualified architect and builder, and submission of the documents necessary for final grant approval.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.

Award Procedure

The VA Regional Loan Center releases the grant proceeds after conditions of the contract and grant approval are fulfilled.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 60 to 90 days. Initial interview completed within 30 days of determination of eligibility. Grant approval timeline varies and is dependent upon veteran's desire to move forward with securing contractors and drafting construction plans.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Denial of eligibility is appealable as outlined in the Appeals Modernization Act. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal rights and procedures at the time of notification.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

None.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

38 CFR 3.809, 36.4400-36.4411 , and title 38, United State Code, chapter 21; "Handbook for Design: A Guide for Specially Adapted Housing and Special Housing Adaptation Projects," VA Pamphlet 26-13, can be viewed and downloaded at: https://benefits.va.gov/WARMS/docs/admin26/m26_13/sah-2022-update-26-13.pdf; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-0-01, $5.00 , available from Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock number is 051-000-00233-4 .

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: