HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR DISABLED VETERANS THROUGH SAH, SHA, & HISA
Disabilities come in many different forms, and life afterward comes with varying degrees of difficulty. For Veterans facing such obstacles, a large commonality is an inability to use their home in the same way. Adaptive housing is a great solution that can help improve a Veteran’s quality of life and help them maintain their independence. Furthermore, in a housing market that continues to find new ways to go crazy, purchasing a home, regardless, is a challenge. Luckily, housing assistance for disabled Veterans is available to help provide adequate shelter for these heroes. Read next:VA Home Loan: What You Need to Know to Get One
How To Get Housing Assistance for Disabled Veterans
"How do I apply for disability housing assistance as a Veteran?" is a question that's always being asked. If you’re looking to apply for housing assistance, you can do so online. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability housing grants for Veterans online. Various programs are available through the portal, and depending on your situation, you can find the right grant that meets your needs.
Government Programs for Veterans
There are many different ways to receive help with housing for disabled Veterans. Each program will help in different capacities, and because everyone’s needs are different, you may have to do some research to decide which is best for you. Housing help for Veterans exists for both disabled and able-bodied Veterans; however, these programs focus on those who are now disabled because of their service. Here’s where you can get started:
1. Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH)
The Specially Adapted Housing Grant provides help to service members and Veterans who have a disability caused by military service. Assistance can be provided for either purchasing/constructing an adaptive home or modifying your home to work better with your life after your injury. Housing assistance for disabled adults who have served is available. To be eligible, you must have one of the following:
- The loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities causing the need for braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
- Blindness in both eyes having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.
- The loss, or loss of use, of one lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease or injury, or the loss, or loss of use, of one upper extremity. In either scenario, these ailments will also need to affect the functions of your balance or propulsion without the use of instruments such as braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair.
- The loss, or loss of use, of both upper extremities preventing the use of the arms at or above the elbows.
- Severe burn injuries.
- The loss, or loss of use, of one or more lower limbs due to service on or after September 11, 2001, which affects your balance or movement and makes walking without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair harder. This specific disability type is limited to 30 participants per Fiscal Year.
Most Veterans who are entitled to SAH Grants are also eligible for Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance, which covers the unpaid principal on the mortgage up to $200,000.
2. Special Housing Adaptation (SHA)
Military Veterans or service members suffering serious and permanent disabilities as a result of military service are eligible to apply for Special Housing Adaptation Grants. Those eligible must have one of the following ailments:
- The blindness of both eyes is 20/200 or less.
- Hand loss due to anatomical reasons or a lack of use in one or both hands.
- Some severe respiratory ailments.
3. Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant
The Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant assists eligible service members and Veterans who are eligible for the SAH or SHA grant with one-time assistance to adapt a family member’s home after a disability.
4. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)
HISA is emergency housing assistance for disabled Veterans who qualify for modifying their homes for disability and can receive grants of either $2,000 or $6,800 over their lifetime. Their awards are administered by a local prosthetics department at a regional medical center.
Disability and Housing Assistance Benefits for Veterans Change Lives
As you can see, disabled housing assistance for those who serve is available in many forms. Housing assistance for the disabled individuals who are serving or have served to make America a better place is necessary to help our heroes move forward. Nobody joins the military without knowing the risks that may come in the form of injury or death. But it doesn’t mean we don’t have an obligation to help troops who are facing these issues. If you qualify, take advantage of the housing assistance for disabled Veterans to improve your quality of life. Suggested read:How To Apply for VA Disability & What You Need To Know
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