Checklist

SAH & SHA Application Checklist

Last updated: April 18, 2026

A step-by-step checklist covering everything from gathering documents to closing out your finished project. Covers the VA's Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) and Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grants, which both use VA Form 26-4555.

HISA applications use a different process— VA Form 10-0103 submitted through your VA medical center's prosthetics department. This checklist does not cover HISA.

Pre-Application: Gather Documentation

Identification & Service Records

Military discharge paperwork (DD-214)
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Divorce decrees (if applicable)
Social Security card
Driver's license or state ID

Medical Documentation

Recent medical records (within the last 6 months)
Doctor's letter supporting your disability claim
Service connection documentation
Disability rating letter from the VA (if already rated)
List of current medications
List of mobility challenges and accessibility needs
Photos of your current home (if modifying an existing home)

Financial Documentation

Bank statements (last 2 months)
Tax returns (last 2 years)
Pay stubs (if employed)
Benefits statements
Proof of residency

Determine Eligibility

Service & Discharge

Honorable discharge confirmed
Active duty service confirmed
Service dates documented

SAH Disability Criteria (Meet at Least One)

SHA and HISA have separate, often broader eligibility criteria. If you don't qualify for SAH, review the SAH Grant Guide or consult VA.gov.

Both legs lost or loss of use
Both arms lost or loss of use
One leg and one arm lost or loss of use
Permanent blindness with 5/200 visual acuity or less in the better eye (SAH) — note that SHA uses a less severe vision threshold. Verify your specific rating with a VA benefits counselor.
Burns covering 40%+ of the body
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) with severe mobility issues
Spinal cord injury with severe mobility loss
Other severe disabilities (consult the VA)