Understanding VA Grants for Veteran Mobility
For veterans with disabilities that affect their mobility, the ability to safely and independently navigate their home is crucial for maintaining quality of life.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several grant programs designed to help veterans finance necessary home modifications, which can include the installation of chair lifts, stairlifts, and wheelchair ramps. [3]
These are not benefits that the VA provides directly but are instead financial assistance programs that veterans must apply for, and the type of grant and amount of funding available depends on the specific circumstances of the veteran's condition.
The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant
The HISA grant offers financial aid for medically necessary home alterations, such as chair lifts. [1, 5, 6] Eligibility and funding limits depend on whether the veteran has a service-connected or non-service-connected disability and is enrolled in VA health care. [1, 5] Applying involves submitting a VA Form 10-0103, a prescription from a physician detailing medical necessity, and cost estimates. [1]
The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant
The SAH grant assists veterans with severe service-connected disabilities in building or modifying a home to be barrier-free. [4] This grant is for specific disabilities like the loss of use of both legs and requires the veteran to own or plan to own the adapted home. [4]
The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant
The SHA grant supports veterans with certain permanent and total service-connected disabilities that are less severe than those covered by SAH. [4] It can be used for home adaptations, including chair lifts, to improve mobility within the residence. [4] Eligibility applies to specific disabilities like the loss of use of both hands, and the veteran or a family member must own the home. [4]
Comparing VA Home Modification Grants
Here is a comparison of key grants that can help fund a chair lift, based on their purpose, disability requirements, and approximate maximum funding levels for FY2024. [1, 4, 5, 6]
| Grant | Primary Purpose | Disability Requirement | Max Funding (Approx. FY2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HISA | Medically necessary improvements and structural alterations | Service-connected, or non-service-connected for veterans enrolled in VA health care | Up to $6,800 (service-connected) / Up to $2,000 (non-service-connected) [1, 5] |
| SAH | Build or extensively modify a permanent, barrier-free home | Severe, service-connected disabilities like loss of use of both legs or blindness | Up to $117,014 (and higher in subsequent fiscal years) [4] |
| SHA | Adapt a permanent residence to increase mobility | Certain less severe, service-connected disabilities like loss of use of both hands | Up to $23,444 (and higher in subsequent fiscal years) [4] |
How to Apply for a VA Grant for a Chair Lift
To apply for a VA grant for a chair lift, veterans need medical justification from a VA physician or therapist confirming the necessity for treatment or safe home access. [1]
The application process involves consulting with a VA provider, selecting the appropriate grant, gathering required documents (like forms and contractor estimates), submitting the application, and waiting for approval before starting any work. [1]
Other Potential VA Assistance for Mobility Equipment
The VA's Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service may offer portable seat lifts based on medical assessment, separate from structural modification grants. [1]
For more information on VA housing grants and adaptive equipment, visit {Link: choose.va.gov https://choose.va.gov/housing-assistance/severe-disability} [4].
Conclusion
In summary, while the VA doesn't directly install chair lifts, they provide funding through grants like HISA, SAH, and SHA for eligible veterans needing home modifications. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
Accessing this assistance requires understanding grant specifics, obtaining medical justification, and following the application steps, often in coordination with a VA provider. [1]
