Disabled veterans have several ways to fund accessible home modifications, including VA grants like SAH, SHA, and HISA, or fully accessible, mortgage-free homes built by nonprofits such as Homes for Our Troops. These solutions typically include zero-step entryways, roll-in showers, and roll-under counters, changes that let veterans move through their own homes safely and on their own terms.
For many veterans, the barrier to accessibility isn't a lack of good options. It's knowing which funding path actually applies to their situation, and what that path covers once approved. This guide breaks down the main VA grant programs, what they fund, and how EZ-ACCESS® fits into a broader home modification plan.
How Can Disabled Veterans Get an Accessible Home?
Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities have two main paths to a more accessible home. The first is a VA grant. The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant offers up to $126,526 for fiscal year 2026 to build, buy, or substantially modify a permanent home. The Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant offers up to $25,350 for smaller-scale changes, and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit covers medically necessary work like ramps or roll-in showers with a lifetime maximum of $6,800 for service-connected conditions or $2,000 for non-service-connected conditions. The second path is a nonprofit-built home. Organizations such as Homes for Our Troops construct custom, mortgage-free houses for severely injured veterans, outside the VA grant system entirely.
The Need for Accessible Housing Among Veterans
Roughly 6 million veterans currently receive VA disability compensation, and for many of them, everyday features of a typical home become obstacles rather than conveniences. A single step at the front door, a doorway that's a few inches too narrow, or a bathroom that can't accommodate a wheelchair can turn routine tasks into daily struggles. These barriers don't just affect mobility; they affect a veteran's ability to live independently in the home they've earned.
Home Modifications That Improve Accessibility for Veterans
The most effective accessibility projects tend to focus on the same handful of pressure points in a home. Entryway ramps remove the single biggest barrier for wheelchair and scooter users, and EZ-ACCESS offers modular ramp systems that can be custom-configured to match a home's specific rise and layout. Narrow doorways and raised thresholds are another common obstacle, and threshold ramps smooth out the small transitions at the home’s entryways or between rooms that a wheelchair or walker can otherwise catch on. Bathrooms often need the most extensive work, including roll-in showers, grab bars, and raised toilet seats, since these are the spaces where a fall carries the highest risk. For homes with multiple levels, stair lifts and vertical platform lifts give veterans a way to move between floors without relying on stairs at all.
VA Grants and Programs for Veteran Home Modifications
Three VA grant programs cover most home accessibility projects, and the right one depends on the scale of work needed and the veteran's specific service-connected disability.
The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant is the largest of the three, offering up to $126,526 for fiscal year 2026 toward building, buying, or substantially modifying a permanent home for veterans with qualifying disabilities such as loss of use of multiple limbs or certain severe burns. The Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant covers smaller-scale changes, with a maximum of $25,350 for fiscal year 2026, and applies to a different set of qualifying disabilities, including loss of use of both hands.
The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit is separate from SAH and SHA and covers medically necessary work like permanent ramps, roll-in showers, or widened doorways. It's a lifetime benefit rather than an annual one, with a cap of $6,800 for veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability and $2,000 for non-service-connected conditions.
For veterans who need to modify a family member's home while living there temporarily, the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant follows the same eligibility as SAH or SHA but pays out a smaller amount, up to $50,961 for SAH-eligible veterans or $9,100 for SHA-eligible veterans for fiscal year 2026.
SAH and SHA grant money can be used across up to six separate adaptations over a veteran's lifetime, so there's no requirement to use the full amount in one project. Grant maximums adjust annually, so it's worth confirming current figures at VA.gov before applying.
[H2] How EZ-ACCESS Supports Veterans
EZ-ACCESS works alongside VA hospitals, veteran service organizations, and nonprofits to help veterans get the right access solution for their situation, whether that's a semi-permanent modular ramp system built as part of a larger home modification or a portable ramp for shorter-term needs. Because grant-funded projects often involve specific measurements, weight capacities, and installation timelines, having a product partner familiar with how VA-funded home modifications work can make the process smoother for veterans and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a veteran use a VA grant more than once?
Yes. SAH and SHA grant funds can be used across up to six separate adaptations over a veteran's lifetime, up to the total maximum amount. This means a veteran doesn't need to use the full grant in a single project and can return for additional modifications as needs change over time.
Does a veteran need a service-connected disability to qualify for a HISA grant?
No. The HISA benefit is available to veterans with service-connected or non-service-connected conditions, though the maximum differs between the two. Veterans with a qualifying service-connected disability can receive up to $6,800, while those with a non-service-connected condition can receive up to $2,000.
Can VA grant funds be used to modify a family member's home?
Yes. The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant allows veterans who qualify for SAH or SHA to adapt a family member's home if they're living there temporarily. It follows the same eligibility rules as SAH and SHA but pays out a smaller maximum amount.
Next Steps
Whichever funding route applies, the right modification comes down to the specific barrier a veteran is facing, whether that's a single step at the entryway or a full bathroom retrofit. EZ-ACCESS offers both portable and modular ramp options built to fit a range of homes and budgets. Explore accessibility solutions to find the right fit, or start with modular wheelchair ramps for larger, grant-funded projects.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Disabled veterans have more than one route to an accessible home. VA grants can fund modifications to an existing home, while nonprofit programs offer a fully built, mortgage-free alternative for veterans with the most severe needs. Either way, the goal is the same: a home a veteran can move through safely, independently, and with dignity.