Funding — Veterans
VA SAH & SHA Grant: Eligibility & Application Guide
Updated June 2025 — For veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities
The Three SAH/SHA Programs
| Program | FY2025 Maximum | Uses | Times Usable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) | $109,986 | Build, buy, or adapt a home; pay down a mortgage on an adapted home | Up to 3 times |
| Special Home Adaptation (SHA) | $22,036 | Adapt a home owned by the veteran or a family member | Up to 3 times |
| Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) | $46,494 (SAH-eligible) / $9,315 (SHA-eligible) | Adapt a family member's home where veteran is temporarily living | Unlimited (counted against SAH/SHA lifetime max) |
Who Qualifies for SAH
SAH eligibility requires a service-connected disability that meets one of these specific criteria (per 38 U.S.C. § 2101):
- Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities that requires the use of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair
- Blindness in both eyes, with visual acuity of 20/200 or less, combined with loss or loss of use of one lower extremity
- Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity combined with (a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without resort to braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair
- Loss or loss of use of both upper extremities at or above the elbows
- A severe burn injury
- Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity combined with a severe burn injury
- Certain severe respiratory injuries requiring a power wheelchair
Who Qualifies for SHA
SHA eligibility requires a service-connected disability that meets one of these criteria:
- Blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or less in both eyes
- Loss or loss of use of both hands
- Certain severe burn injuries
- Certain severe respiratory injuries
How to Apply for SAH/SHA
- Apply for eligibility determination: File VA Form 26-4555 (Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant). Submit to your regional VA loan center or online at va.gov/housing-assistance/adaptive-housing-grants/.
- Eligibility review: VA reviews your service records and disability rating to confirm you meet the qualifying disability criteria. This may take several weeks to months.
- Eligibility letter issued: If approved, VA issues an eligibility letter specifying which grant you qualify for and the maximum amount.
- Work with VA loan center: A VA staff appraiser works with you throughout the construction or adaptation process. For adaptations, this involves planning the modifications, selecting a contractor, and supervising the work.
- Disbursement: Grant funds are disbursed in stages as work progresses, not as a lump sum upfront.
SAH/SHA vs. HISA: Which to Apply For
Veterans who qualify for SAH/SHA should apply for both SAH/SHA and HISA — they are different programs and can be used for different purposes. SAH/SHA is better suited for major structural adaptation or home purchase. HISA is faster and more appropriate for discrete modifications like grab bars, ramps, or stair lifts. Using HISA for smaller modifications preserves SAH/SHA funds for larger structural work.
Yes. SAH can be used to (1) build a specially adapted home, (2) buy an already adapted home, (3) adapt an existing home you own or are buying, or (4) apply funds to the mortgage balance of an adapted home you already own. This makes SAH one of the most flexible housing grants available to veterans with qualifying disabilities. The grant does not need to be repaid and does not create a lien on the property.
The HISA grant is available to any veteran enrolled in VA healthcare, regardless of whether the disability is service-connected, and regardless of disability rating. HISA provides up to $11,536 for service-connected veterans and $8,709 for non-service-connected. See our complete VA HISA grant guide. Additionally, check your state's veterans' assistance programs — many states have their own home modification grants for veterans that may fill gaps.