VA Benefit — Maryland & Virginia
VA HISA Grant: Up to $6,800 for Veterans' Home Accessibility Modifications in Maryland and Virginia
Not a loan. Not a waitlist. An outright grant for medically necessary home modifications — and one of the most underutilized benefits available to veterans in the DMV area.
If you're a veteran living with a service-connected disability, the VA will pay for medically necessary modifications to make your home more accessible. It's called the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant — an outright grant of up to $6,800, paid directly toward the cost of your home renovation.
What Is the VA HISA Grant?
The HISA grant funds home modifications that are medically necessary for a veteran's care or treatment. Unlike larger VA housing grants (like SAH or SHA), HISA is specifically designed for accessibility modifications to existing homes.
Grant Amounts (FY 2025):
Applies to your primary residence, whether you own or rent (with landlord permission for rentals).
What Can HISA Pay For?
HISA funds must go toward medically necessary improvements. Here's what typically qualifies:
- ✓Ramps and accessible entrances — Exterior and interior access for wheelchair users
- ✓Grab bars and handrails — Bathroom, hallway, and stairway safety
- ✓Roll-in showers and accessible bathroom conversions — Curbless entries, fold-down seats, handheld showerheads
- ✓Doorway modifications for wheelchair access — Widening doorways where medically necessary for mobility equipment
- ✓Lowered countertops and accessible kitchen modifications
- ✓Electrical and plumbing modifications — Required for medical equipment
What HISA won't cover: Porch lifts, stair glides, portable ramps and other removable equipment, home security systems, hot tubs, decks, walkways to outbuildings, new construction, routine repairs, or features that aren't medically justified. Source: VA PSAS.
Who Qualifies?
You're likely eligible if:
- ✓
You're a veteran or service member and the project addresses a service-connected disability (up to $6,800)
- ✓
The project addresses a non-service-connected disability and you have a single service-connected disability rated at least 50% (up to $6,800)
- ✓
Any other medically justified disability qualifies for up to $2,000
Key requirement beyond eligibility: your VA physician must prescribe the modifications, specifying your diagnosis, medical justification, and the specific improvements needed.
How to Apply for HISA in Maryland or Virginia
- 1
Talk to your VA physician or care team.
Explain the accessibility barriers in your home. They'll write a medical prescription for specific modifications.
- 2
Complete VA Form 10-0103
The HISA Benefits Application (available at va.gov/vaforms).
- 3
Get a contractor estimate.
You'll need an itemized quote from a licensed contractor that includes labor, materials, permits, and inspection costs. Photographs of the areas to be modified are required.
- 4
Submit your application to the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service at your nearest VA Medical Center.
- 5
Wait for approval — then schedule your work.
Advance payments can be requested on the form if you need funds before work begins.
Stack Your Benefits: HISA + State Credits
HISA can be combined with state and county programs. A Maryland veteran renovating their home for wheelchair accessibility could potentially qualify for:
These maximums don't simply add up: Montgomery County reduces the Design for Life credit by other assistance (including HISA) for the same feature and applies at most $2,000 per tax year.
Why You Need the Right Contractor
HISA applications require detailed, itemized contractor estimates — and the VA reviews them carefully. Contractors who aren't familiar with the process often submit vague quotes that get kicked back, delaying your project by weeks or months.
You need someone who has worked with HISA before — who knows how to document the scope of work, pull proper permits, and submit the paperwork the VA actually expects.
Find a VA HISA-Experienced Contractor in Maryland or Virginia →You've already earned this benefit. The next step is just finding someone who knows how to use it.