To
help certain severely disabled veterans acquire a home which is
suitably adapted to meet the special needs of their disabilities.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
a.
The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) program provides 50 percent
of the cost to the veteran of the adapted house, land and allowable
expenses, not to exceed a maximum grant of $48,000. The money may
be used to help (1) construct a suitable home on suitable land either
already owned or to be acquired by the veteran, or (2) remodel an
existing home if it can be suitable adapted, or (3) reduce the outstanding
mortgage on a suitably adapted home already owned by the veteran.
In computing the amount of the grant, the costs may include incidental
expenses such as connections to public facilities and customary
fees for the services of an attorney, architect, loan closing, etc.
There are restrictions on the use of a grant: If a loan is necessary
to supplement the grant, monthly loan payments and the cost of maintaining
the property must bear a proper relation to the veteran's present
and anticipated income. The housing unit must be suitable for the
veteran's special needs. The veteran must acquire acceptable title
to the property. b. The Special Housing Adaptions (SHA) program
provides the actual cost to the veteran of certain adaptions and/or
equipment, not to exceed a maximum grant of $9,250. The home to
be adapted must be owned by the veteran or by a member of the veteran's
family, and the veteran must intend to contine residing there.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: For an SAH grant, veterans with
permanent, total, and service-connected disabilities due to: (1)
loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude
locomotion without the aid of braces, canes, crutches, or a wheelchair;
(2) which includes (a) blindness in both eyes, having only light
perception, plus (b) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity;
or (3) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity, together with
(a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss
of use of one upper extremity which so affect the functions of balance
or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces,
crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. It must be medically feasible
for the veteran to reside in the particular home involved. For an
SHA grant, veterans are eligible who have a permanent and total
service-connected disability which (1) is due to blindness in both
eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or (2) includes the anatomical
loss or loss of use of both hands.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Permanently and totally disabled
veterans.
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: Initial application for determination
of basic eligibility may be made on VA Form 26-4555 to the VA
regional office holding the veteran's claim folder. After eligibility
is determined, a VA employee will personally assist the veteran
throughout subsequent processing, including advice on a suitable
house plan and lot, adaptative features, location of a qualified
architect and builder, and submission of the documents necessary
for final grant approval.
Award
Procedure: The VA Regional Office disburses
the grant proceeds after conditions of the contract and grant
approval are fulfilled.
Deadlines:
None.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 60
days for determination of basic eligibility and medical feasibility;
30 to 60 days after receipt of supplemental application with supporting
papers.
Appeals:
Denial of eligibility is appealable through the Board of Veterans'
Appeals. In the event of a denial, claimants are advised of appeal
rights and procedures at the time of notification.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: For an SAH grant,
VA provides 50 percent of the cost to the veteran of the housing
unit, land, fixtures and allowable expenses, not to exceed a maximum
grant of $48,000. For an SHA grant, VA provides lesser of (1) actual
cost of adaptations or (2) $9,250.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Usually if
veteran already owns a suitable house, grant is disbursed in lump
sum. In remodeling and construction cases, grant is disbursed
by specified construction completion phases approved by VA.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
None.
Audits:
None.
Records:
None.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 36-0137-0-1-702.
Obligations:
(Direct Payments) FY 01 $21,817,000; FY 02 est $22,805,000; and
FY 03 est $22,805,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
SAH: For the housing unit, land, fixtures, and allowable expenses,
up to $43,000. SHA: For adaptations to the veteran's residence,
up to $8,250.
In fiscal year 2001, 574 grants were made to disabled veterans.
Outputs for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 are expected to be at least
600 each year.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
38 CFR 3.809 36.4400- 36.4411 and title 38, United State Code, chapter
21; "Questions and Answers on Specially Adapted Housing for Veterans,"
VA Pamphlet 26-69-1, no charge; "Federal Benefits for Veterans and
Dependents," VA Pamphlet 80-00-1, $5.00, available from Superintendent
of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The stock
number is 051-000-00220-2. "Handbook for Design, Specially Adapted
Housing," VA Pamphlet 26-13, available to eligible veterans.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Applicants should communicate
with the nearest VA Regional Office. Case development and assistance
will be provided by the VA office with jurisdiction over the location
of the property involved. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for addresses
of these offices listed under Department of Veterans Affairs. Information
may be obtained from the nearest Regional Office by calling toll
free 1-800- 827-1000.
Headquarters
Office: Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington,
DC 20420. Telephone: (202) 273-7355.
