Grant Guide
The HISA Grant: VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations
Last updated: April 19, 2026
HISA is the VA's smaller, faster-moving home-modification benefit — and the one many veterans have never heard of. It's run through your VA medical center, available to a wider eligibility pool than SAH or SHA, and usable by renters. Here's how it works.
HISA at a Glance (FY2026)
| Service-connected cap | $6,800 lifetime |
| Non-service-connected cap | $2,000 lifetime |
| Form | VA Form 10-0103 |
| Administered by | VA medical center (prosthetics department) |
| Typical timeline | 30–90 days |
| Renters eligible? | Yes, with written landlord consent |
What Is HISA?
HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations)is a VA medical benefit, not a traditional housing grant. It's administered by your VA medical center's prosthetics department and tied directly to a medical provider's prescription for a specific modification.
Because HISA is a medical benefit, two things are different from SAH and SHA:
- A VA provider has to document that the modification is medically necessary for your condition
- You apply through the medical center's prosthetics department, not the VA regional office
The upside: HISA is available to a much broader group of veterans — including those whose disability isn't service-connected — and it's usable by renters. The tradeoff is a smaller cap.
Who Qualifies for HISA?
HISA has two eligibility tiers, each with its own lifetime cap:
Service-connected: $6,800 lifetime
Available if you have a service-connected disability and a medical need for the modification. Your provider documents that the work is medically required to treat or accommodate your service-connected condition.
Non-service-connected: $2,000 lifetime
Available if you're enrolled in VA healthcare and have a medical need for the modification, even if the underlying condition isn't service-connected. This is the tier most veterans don't realize they qualify for.
Either way, the medical-justification requirement is the gatekeeper. If your VA primary care provider or specialist will document the need, you have a path to HISA.
What HISA Covers
HISA is sized for smaller, targeted modifications rather than whole-home remodels. Commonly approved work includes:
Accessibility Basics
- Exterior ramps for wheelchair or walker access
- Grab bars and handrails
- Widened doorways
- Threshold removal
Bathroom Safety
- Roll-in shower conversion (smaller scope)
- Tub-to-shower conversion
- Raised toilet or accessible toilet
- Non-slip flooring in wet areas
Plumbing & Electrical Tied to Access
- Plumbing relocation for an accessible fixture
- Electrical work required for a medical device
- Rocker-style or reachable light switches
Not Covered
- Cosmetic work unrelated to accessibility
- General repairs or maintenance
- Furniture and furnishings
- New construction or additions
For a broader catalog of accessibility modifications (many of which fit inside a HISA scope), see our Top 20 Home Modifications guide.
HISA for Renters
Unlike SAH and SHA, HISA does not require you to own the home. Renters can use HISA as long as the landlord provides written consent for the specific modifications.
Practically, that means:
- Get landlord sign-off in writing before applying — the VA wants to see it in the packet
- Be clear about what stays with the home when you move out (most modifications do)
- For temporary installs like transfer benches or some grab-bar systems, it's usually easier to get landlord approval
Landlords are often willing to approve accessibility work because it improves the unit's long-term marketability. Frame the conversation that way.
HISA Application Process
Step 1: Talk to Your VA Provider
- Describe the accessibility problem — a specific task you can't safely perform at home
- Ask whether the requested modification is medically appropriate
- Your provider writes the medical justification that anchors the application
Step 2: Work with Prosthetics
- The VA medical center's prosthetics department is your point of contact, not the regional office
- They provide the HISA packet, including VA Form 10-0103
- For renters: include written landlord consent in the packet
Step 3: Submit the Application
- Complete VA Form 10-0103
- Attach provider justification, contractor estimate, and any ownership or consent docs
- Submit through the medical center (portal, mail, or in person — they'll tell you)
Step 4: Approval and Work (30–90 days)
- Prosthetics reviews and issues a decision, often in 2–6 weeks
- Once approved, the contractor schedules and performs the work
- Final sign-off confirms the modification matches the approved scope
Compared to SAH and SHA:HISA's timeline is the fastest of the three programs. A straightforward grab-bar-and-ramp scope can move from provider conversation to finished work in under two months.
Combining HISA with SAH or SHA
HISA can be used alongside SAH or SHA. They're separate programs with separate caps and separate administrative tracks, so combining them is routine when the need fits.
A common pattern: a veteran uses SAH for a major whole-home project (widened halls, roll-in shower, elevator) and later uses HISA for a smaller add-on — for example, a new exterior ramp after a mobility change, or a bathroom grab-bar set that wasn't in the original scope.
For a side-by-side comparison and decision flow, see SAH vs SHA vs HISA: Which VA Grant Am I Eligible For?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a service-connected rating for HISA?
No. Non-service-connected veterans enrolled in VA healthcare can qualify for the $2,000 lifetime tier. Service-connected veterans qualify for the $6,800 tier.
Is the HISA cap per project or lifetime?
Lifetime. Once you use the full $6,800 (or $2,000), the program is spent. You can submit multiple HISA applications over time until you hit the cap.
Can I choose my own contractor?
Generally yes, but the contractor should be licensed and insured, and the estimate must match the approved scope. Your medical center can tell you whether a specific contractor is already familiar with HISA paperwork.
What if my project costs more than my HISA cap?
You pay the difference out of pocket, or combine HISA with SAH/SHA or a home loan. For many renters and smaller scopes, HISA covers the full job.
Can I use HISA while waiting on a SAH decision?
Often yes — they're separate programs. Some veterans use HISA for an immediate safety need (like an exterior ramp) while the larger SAH application works through the regional office. Confirm with your prosthetics coordinator so disbursements don't overlap scopes.
Estimate Your HISA Project Cost
Our free calculator estimates contractor pricing by location, so you can see whether your scope fits inside your HISA cap before applying.
Related articles
The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant: A Complete Guide
Everything veterans need to know about the SHA grant — eligibility, approved modifications, how it differs from SAH, and application timeline.
grant guideSAH vs SHA vs HISA: Which VA Grant Am I Eligible For?
Side-by-side comparison of the three VA adaptive housing grants. Find out which program fits your disability type, project scope, and timeline.
grant guideVA Adaptive Housing Grants: Complete Guide to SAH, SHA & HISA
Everything veterans need to know about VA adaptive housing grants — SAH up to $126,526, SHA up to $25,350, and HISA up to $6,800. Eligibility, application, and covered modifications explained.
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AdaptHome.vet is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Always verify current grant amounts, eligibility rules, and forms through official VA channels. Contact your VA medical center's prosthetics department for the authoritative HISA process in your area.
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