FEDERAL AGENCY:

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

AUTHORIZATION:

Public Laws 80-702, 96-385 and 105-178, 38 U.S.C. 2101-2106.

OBJECTIVES:

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.

Credentials/Documentation:   None.

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 $50,000. SHA: For adaptations to the veteran's residence, up to $10,000.

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) 461-9500.

Web Site Address:  
https://www.va.gov/

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

None.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

None.

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