If the steps at your front door are keeping you inside, start with the problem those steps create. Tell your VA care team how you get in and out today, what equipment you use, and where you need help. For a permanent ramp or a roll-in shower in your primary home, ask about Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) before you commit to a contractor.
When to ask your VA medical center about HISA
HISA can cover medically necessary changes to an existing home, including access to a bathroom or the entrance. A service-connected rating isn’t required in every case. A portable ramp, a roof replacement and new construction fall outside this program. If you need equipment you can take with you when you move, tell your care team that up front.
Call your VA medical center and ask for Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. Two good questions are “How much of my lifetime benefit is available?” and “What written approval should I wait for before work starts?” A contractor’s estimate is one part of the application. VA decides what it will fund.
What to gather before work begins
- Ask your clinician about a prescription written or approved by a VA physician. It needs to explain the medical need, the proposed change, and the alternatives.
- Take a color photo showing the barrier as it looks today. Ask for an estimate that breaks out labor, materials, permits and inspections.
- Complete and sign VA Form 10-0103. If you rent, get the property owner’s signed, notarized permission for the specific work.
Use VA’s HISA application checklist when you assemble the packet. Keep a copy of what you submit and ask your local office how to track it.
What if you’re buying a home or living with family?
VA also has disability housing grants for specific service-connected disabilities. For Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), you must own or plan to own the permanent home. For Special Home Adaptation (SHA), ownership by a family member can also qualify. Each program has its own disability criteria. For example, loss of use of both hands appears on the SHA list. Check the full VA eligibility list before choosing a form.
If you’re staying temporarily at a relative’s home, ask about Temporary Residence Adaptation. That route requires eligibility for SAH or SHA. If a relative is also helping with daily care, our caregiver guide explains where they can ask for support.
Where to apply
For SAH or SHA, you can apply through VA online, or use VA Form 26-4555 by mail or at a regional office. Have your Social Security number and VA file or claim number, if you have one, ready for VA. Keep identifying documents out of public comments and contractor quote requests.
If the immediate problem is keeping a place to live, start with our financial and housing assistance guide. Tell the person you reach whether you need help staying housed, getting through the door, or both.
Sources reviewed November 8, 2026, by Freedom Through Veteran Assistance.