Specially Adapted Homes

Disabled veterans may be entitled to a grant from VA for a home specially adapted to their needs or for adaptations to a house.

For a $43,000 Grant

VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying or remodeling adapted homes or paying indebtedness on those homes already acquired, up to a maximum of $43,000.  Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to one of the following:

1. locomotion without the aide of braces, crutches,   canes or a wheelchair.

2. light perception, plus (b) loss of use of one lower extremity;

3. residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without using braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.

For a $8,250 Grant

VA may approve a grant for the actual cost, up to a maximum of $8,250,  for adaptations to a veteran's residence that are determined by VA to be reasonably necessary.  The grant also may be used to assist veterans in acquiring a residence that already has been adapted with special features for the veteran's disability.  Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to:

1. blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or;

2. anatomical loss or loss of use of both hands.

Supplemental Financing:  Veterans with available loan guaranty entitlement may also obtain a guaranteed loan or a direct loan from VA to supplement the grant to acquire a specially adapted home.

Automobile Assistance

Veterans and service members qualify for this benefit if they have service-connected loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a certain degree.  Veterans entitled to compensation for ankylosis (immobility) of one or both knees, or one or both hips, also qualify for adaptive equipment for an automobile.  There is a onetime payment by VA of not more than $8,000 toward the purchase of automobile or other conveyance.  VA pays for adaptive equipment, and for repair, replacements, or reinstallation required because of disability, and for the safe operation of a vehicle purchased with VA assistance. 

Clothing Allowance

Any veteran who is entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability for which he or she uses prosthetic or orthopedic appliances may receive an annual clothing allowance.  The allowance also is available to any veteran whose serviced-connected skin condition requires prescribed medication that does irreparable damages to the veteran's outer garments. 

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