SHA Grant: FY 2026 Amounts, Eligibility, and Permitted Adaptations
Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant: 2026 Guide
VA.gov — Disability Housing Grants (SAH and SHA)
38 CFR Part 36, Subpart C — Housing Grants
The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant provides up to $25,350 in FY 2026 for Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities to modify an existing home for accessibility. SHA covers adaptations like roll-in showers, widened doorways, accessible kitchens, and wheelchair ramps. The grant can be used across multiple adaptations over a Veteran’s lifetime.
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FY 2026 Amount
- Maximum grant: $25,350 for FY 2026 — adjusted annually based on construction cost index changes.
- Lifetime use: Veterans can use the grant across up to 6 separate adaptations over their lifetime.
- No repayment: SHA is a grant, not a loan — no repayment required regardless of adaptation type.
Qualifying Conditions
- Vision loss: Blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or less from service-connected disability.
- Loss of hands: Loss or loss of use of both hands due to service-connected disability.
- Severe burns: Deep partial-thickness or full-thickness burns covering 30%+ body surface from service.
Permitted Uses
- Bathroom mods: Roll-in showers, grab bars, accessible fixtures, and wider doorways for mobility access.
- Kitchen adaptations: Lowered countertops, accessible cabinets, and modified appliance placement.
- General access: Wheelchair ramps, widened hallways, modified entryways, and accessible flooring surfaces.
SHA vs SAH
- SHA maximum: $25,350 for FY 2026 — designed for smaller, targeted accessibility modifications.
- SAH maximum: $126,526 for FY 2026 — covers construction, purchase, or major home modifications.
- Different conditions: SHA and SAH have different qualifying disability categories — check both before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SHA grant maximum for 2026?
Is SHA the same as SAH?
Can you use SHA more than once?
The Bottom Line Up Front
The Special Housing Adaptation grant provides up to $25,350 in FY 2026 for Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities to make their homes accessible. SHA covers modifications like roll-in showers, widened doorways, wheelchair ramps, and accessible kitchens. The grant requires no repayment and can be used across multiple adaptations. SHA is separate from the larger Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant, which provides up to $126,526 for more extensive construction or home purchase.
SHA targets Veterans whose disabilities affect upper-body function — primarily blindness, loss of use of both hands, or severe burn injuries. The qualifying conditions differ from SAH, which covers lower-extremity disabilities and more severe mobility impairments. Veterans who qualify for both should evaluate whether their adaptation needs fit within the $25,350 SHA limit or require the larger SAH amount. A related Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant covers modifications to a family member’s home where the Veteran is temporarily living.
- FY 2026 SHA maximum is $25,350 — the amount adjusts annually based on a construction cost index published by the VA in the Federal Register
- Veterans can use SHA across up to 6 separate adaptations over their lifetime — unused grant amounts carry forward and can be applied to future modifications
- SHA is a grant with no repayment requirement — it is not a loan, and there are no interest charges or recapture provisions when you sell the home
- You must own the home being adapted or live in a family member’s home — the TRA grant covers modifications to family member properties where the Veteran resides temporarily
- SHA can be combined with other VA benefits — a Veteran can use SHA for accessibility modifications and separately use a VA-guaranteed loan for the home purchase itself
Who Is Eligible For The SHA Grant?
SHA eligibility is based on specific service-connected disability categories defined by the VA. The qualifying conditions are narrower than SAH and focus on upper-body function, vision, and severe burn injuries. Eligibility is determined through your VA disability rating and supporting medical documentation.
- Blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or less — the vision impairment must be a result of service-connected disability as rated by the VA
- Loss or loss of use of both hands — covers anatomical loss, functional loss, or loss of use that prevents gripping, grasping, or operating household controls and fixtures
- Severe burn injuries — deep partial-thickness or full-thickness burns covering 30% or more of the body, or burns covering 60%+ of the face, from service-connected causes
- Certain severe respiratory injuries — inhalation injuries or other respiratory conditions resulting from service-connected causes that require specialized housing adaptations
- Must own the home or reside in a family member’s home that is being adapted — the Veteran does not need to be on the mortgage but must live in the adapted property
What Adaptations Does SHA Cover?
SHA covers accessibility modifications that improve daily functioning and safety for Veterans with qualifying disabilities. The grant can fund a single major adaptation or multiple smaller modifications across separate projects, up to the lifetime maximum.
- Bathroom modifications including roll-in showers, grab bars, accessible sink and toilet configurations, non-slip flooring, and widened bathroom doorways for wheelchair access
- Kitchen adaptations including lowered countertops, accessible cabinetry, modified appliance placement, and touch-activated or lever-style controls for Veterans with hand disabilities
- Entryway and access modifications including wheelchair ramps, stair modifications, automatic door openers, and widened doorways throughout the residence
- General accessibility including widened hallways, accessible flooring transitions, modified lighting and controls for visually impaired Veterans, and assistive technology integration
- The specific adaptation must relate to the qualifying disability — the VA approves projects based on how the modification addresses the Veteran’s functional limitations
Can SHA Be Used In A Family Member’s Home?
If a Veteran is temporarily living in a family member’s home, the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant can fund modifications to that property. TRA uses funds from the Veteran’s SHA or SAH entitlement, so the amounts come from the same pool — but TRA allows the work to happen at a non-owned property. The family member must consent to the modifications, and the Veteran must be residing there due to the disability. This provision helps Veterans who are between homes, recovering from treatment, or transitioning to permanent housing and need immediate accessibility at their current living situation. The TRA grant amount is a subset of the SHA maximum and reduces the remaining available lifetime grant balance for future SHA adaptations.
How Does SHA Compare To SAH?
SHA and SAH serve different populations with different disability profiles. Understanding which grant applies to your situation determines the maximum amount available and the types of adaptations you can fund.
| Feature | SHA Grant | SAH Grant |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 maximum | $25,350 | $126,526 |
| Primary qualifying conditions | Blindness, loss of both hands, severe burns | Loss of lower extremities, severe mobility impairment |
| Scope of adaptations | Modifications to existing home | Construction, purchase, or major modification |
| Lifetime uses | Up to 6 adaptations | Up to 6 adaptations |
| Repayment required | No | No |
| Can use in family member’s home | Via TRA supplement | Via TRA supplement |
If you believe you qualify for both SHA and SAH based on your disability profile, apply for SAH first — it provides a much higher grant amount. The VA will evaluate your application against both sets of criteria. If you qualify for SAH, you receive the higher grant. If your conditions match SHA but not SAH, you receive the SHA amount. You do not need to file separate applications.
How Do You Apply For SHA?
Apply through the VA’s disability housing grants program. The SAH program page covers the larger grant option for Veterans with lower-extremity disabilities. For SHA specifically, you can apply online through VA.gov, by mail using VA Form 26-4555, or in person at a VA Regional Office. The application requires your VA disability rating documentation, property ownership verification, and a description of the planned adaptation work.
The VA evaluates each application against the qualifying disability criteria and the proposed adaptation’s relevance to the Veteran’s functional limitations. Adaptations must directly address the service-connected disability — cosmetic upgrades or general home improvements without a disability nexus are not covered. Once approved, the VA assigns a Specially Adapted Housing Agent who reviews contractor plans, monitors construction, and inspects completed work before releasing final grant funds.
- Submit VA Form 26-4555 (Application in Acquiring Specially Adapted Housing or Special Home Adaptation Grant) — available online at VA.gov or at your regional VA office
- Include your VA disability rating decision letter showing the qualifying service-connected condition and current rating percentage
- Provide property information including address, ownership documentation, and a description of the planned adaptation work
- The VA assigns a Specially Adapted Housing Agent who works with you through the process — they review plans, approve contractors, and inspect completed work
- Processing time varies but plan for 60-90 days from application to approval — gather all documentation before submitting to avoid delays from incomplete applications
The Bottom Line
The SHA grant provides up to $25,350 in FY 2026 for Veterans with qualifying upper-body disabilities, vision loss, or severe burns to adapt their homes for accessibility. It requires no repayment, can be used across multiple adaptations, and is separate from the larger SAH grant. If your adaptation needs exceed $25,350, check whether you also qualify for SAH at $126,526. Apply through VA Form 26-4555 — the process is free, and the VA assigns a housing agent to guide you through approval and construction.
For Veterans also purchasing a home, SHA can be combined with a VA-guaranteed loan — use the grant for accessibility modifications and the loan for the purchase itself. Coordinate the timing with your VA Specially Adapted Housing Agent to ensure the adaptation work aligns with the closing and move-in timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SHA grant maximum for FY 2026?
$25,350. This amount adjusts annually based on construction cost indices. The VA publishes updated amounts in the Federal Register each fiscal year.
Can I use SHA if I don’t own the home?
SHA requires you to own the home being adapted or live in a family member’s home. If you are temporarily living with a family member, the Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant may cover modifications to their property.
Is SHA a loan or a grant?
SHA is a grant. There is no repayment requirement, no interest, and no recapture provision. The VA does not recover the grant amount if you sell the home.
Can I receive both SHA and SAH?
No. They are separate programs with different qualifying conditions. If you qualify for both, the VA awards the higher-value SAH grant. You cannot stack them.
How many times can I use the SHA grant?
Up to 6 separate adaptations over your lifetime, as long as the cumulative amount does not exceed the current fiscal year maximum. Unused amounts carry forward.
What qualifies as “loss of use” of both hands?
Loss of use means the hands cannot effectively perform gripping, grasping, or operating functions necessary for daily living. This includes anatomical loss, functional loss from nerve damage, or other service-connected conditions that eliminate effective hand function.
Can SHA be used with a VA home loan?
Yes. Veterans can use SHA for accessibility modifications and separately use a VA-guaranteed loan for the home purchase. The two programs serve different purposes and can be coordinated through the VA’s Specially Adapted Housing Agent.
How long does SHA approval take?
Plan for 60-90 days from complete application to approval. The timeline depends on the complexity of the adaptation, completeness of documentation, and the VA regional office workload. Gathering all documents before submission avoids processing delays.
