TRA Grant Program
Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant
The TRA Grant provides up to $44,299 to adapt a family member’s home for a veteran with a service-connected disability. It covers wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, and other modifications needed during temporary living situations — and it never has to be repaid.
Next step:
Check Your VA Loan Eligibility
Grant Amounts
- Up to $44,299 for SAH-eligible veterans (FY 2026)
- Up to $7,910 for SHA-eligible veterans (FY 2026)
- No repayment required — this is a VA benefit, not a loan
- Action: Confirm your SAH or SHA eligibility status before applying
Eligibility
- Must qualify for either the SAH or SHA grant
- Must be temporarily living in a family member’s home
- Service-connected disability requiring housing adaptation
- Action: Contact the VA SAH agent at your regional office for eligibility review
Covered Modifications
- Wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, and widened doorways
- Roll-in showers, grab bars, and accessible bathroom fixtures
- Lowered countertops and pull-out shelving in kitchens
- Action: Work with a VA-approved contractor to scope modifications within the grant limit
Application Process
- Submit VA Form 26-4555 online, by mail, or in person
- Processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks with complete documentation
- Grant funds are disbursed directly to the contractor or veteran
- Action: Gather medical records and proof of temporary residence before applying
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum TRA Grant amount?
Up to $44,299 for veterans eligible for the SAH grant and up to $7,910 for those eligible for the SHA grant. These amounts are adjusted annually by the VA.
Does the TRA Grant have to be repaid?
No. The TRA Grant is a VA benefit with no repayment requirement. Funds are provided to cover eligible home modifications at no cost to the veteran.
Can I use the TRA Grant on more than one home?
Yes. The TRA Grant can be used to modify multiple family member homes over time, as long as the total funding does not exceed the lifetime maximum.
The Bottom Line Up Front
The Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant is a VA benefit that provides up to $44,299 to modify a family member’s home for a veteran with a severe service-connected disability. Unlike the SAH and SHA grants — which focus on permanent housing — the TRA Grant is specifically designed for temporary living situations. It covers ramps, accessible bathrooms, widened doorways, and other modifications that make a family member’s home safe and functional. There is no repayment.
Eligibility hinges on one requirement: you must already qualify for either the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant or the Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant. If you meet the disability criteria for either of those programs, the TRA Grant extends that benefit to a family member’s home where you are temporarily living. The funding comes from the same pool as your primary grant, so amounts used reduce your remaining SAH or SHA entitlement.
Veterans exploring their full range of VA housing benefits should also understand how the SAH grant and SHA grant work, since TRA eligibility is derived from those programs.
Who Qualifies for the TRA Grant
TRA Grant eligibility is not standalone — it is an extension of the SAH and SHA programs. You must meet two conditions: qualify for one of the primary housing adaptation grants, and be temporarily residing in a family member’s home.
| Primary Grant | Qualifying Disabilities | TRA Maximum (FY 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| SAH (Specially Adapted Housing) | Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities; loss or loss of use of both upper extremities at or above the elbow; blindness in both eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or less; severe burn injuries (deep partial thickness or worse affecting 30%+ of body) | $44,299 |
| SHA (Special Housing Adaptation) | Blindness in both eyes with light perception only; loss or loss of use of both hands; severe burn injuries affecting the hands or feet; certain respiratory injuries requiring assistive devices | $7,910 |
The disability must be service-connected and rated by the VA. A veteran who has a pending disability claim can apply for the TRA Grant once the rating decision is issued. For more information about the broader landscape of VA housing grants for disabled veterans, those programs are covered in detail separately.
File Guidance
If you are currently staying with a family member while waiting for your permanent home to be built or adapted, the TRA Grant is designed for exactly this situation. The modifications made to the family member’s home do not need to be reversed when you move out. The adaptations stay with the property.
TRA Grant Amounts and How They Work
TRA Grant funding is drawn from your overall SAH or SHA entitlement. The amounts available are a subset of the primary grant maximums — not a separate benefit on top of them.
| Grant Type | Lifetime SAH/SHA Maximum (FY 2026) | TRA Maximum Per Use | Number of Uses Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAH-eligible veteran | $109,986 | $44,299 | Up to 3 uses (lifetime total capped) |
| SHA-eligible veteran | $22,036 | $7,910 | Up to 3 uses (lifetime total capped) |
Each dollar spent through the TRA Grant reduces your remaining SAH or SHA entitlement by the same amount. If you use $30,000 of TRA funding as an SAH-eligible veteran, you will have $79,986 remaining for permanent housing adaptations.
Deal Math
A veteran eligible for the SAH grant who uses the full $44,299 TRA Grant on a family member’s home still has $65,687 remaining for permanent housing modifications. Planning both uses together — temporary adaptations now and permanent ones later — maximizes the total value of the benefit.
What Modifications Does the TRA Grant Cover
The TRA Grant covers any modification necessary to make the family member’s home accessible and safe for the veteran’s specific disability. Modifications must be reasonable and necessary — the VA assigns a Specially Adapted Housing agent to review and approve the proposed work.
Common Covered Modifications
- Wheelchair ramps at entrances and between levels of the home
- Widened doorways (minimum 32 inches clear width for wheelchair access)
- Roll-in showers with bench seating and handheld showerheads
- Grab bars in bathrooms, hallways, and transitional areas
- Lowered countertops and cabinetry in the kitchen
- Pull-out shelving and accessible storage
- Non-slip flooring throughout living areas
- Stairlifts or platform lifts between floors
- Accessible light switches and electrical outlets (lowered or raised to wheelchair height)
The VA does not publish a rigid list of approved modifications. Instead, the SAH agent works with the veteran and a contractor to identify what is needed based on the specific disability. Modifications that improve general comfort but are not related to the disability — such as cosmetic upgrades or additions to rooms the veteran does not use — will not be approved.
TRA Grant vs. SAH vs. SHA: Key Differences
These three grants serve related but distinct purposes. Understanding how they differ helps you determine which applies to your situation.
| Feature | TRA Grant | SAH Grant | SHA Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Adapt a family member’s home temporarily | Build, buy, or adapt a permanent home | Adapt or buy a permanent home |
| Maximum (FY 2026) | $44,299 (SAH) / $7,910 (SHA) | $109,986 | $22,036 |
| Whose home | Family member’s home | Veteran’s own home | Veteran’s own home |
| Repayment required | No | No | No |
| Can be combined | Yes — draws from SAH/SHA entitlement | Yes | Yes |
| Uses allowed | Up to 3 (lifetime cap) | Up to 3 (lifetime cap) | Up to 3 (lifetime cap) |
Veterans who are eligible for the VA adaptive housing grants broadly should explore all three programs to find the best fit for their current and long-term housing needs.
How to Apply for the TRA Grant
The application process uses the same form as the SAH and SHA grants. You can apply online, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
Application Steps
- Step 1 — Confirm eligibility: Verify your SAH or SHA eligibility with your VA regional office or through va.gov
- Step 2 — Complete VA Form 26-4555: This is the application for all adapted housing grants, including TRA
- Step 3 — Gather documentation: Include medical records confirming your service-connected disability and documentation of your temporary residence at a family member’s home
- Step 4 — Submit: Online through va.gov/housing-assistance, by mail to the VA Claims Intake Center (PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444), or in person at your nearest VA regional office
- Step 5 — SAH agent assignment: Once approved, the VA assigns an SAH agent to inspect the property, review proposed modifications, and approve the work scope
Process Watchpoint
Processing time is typically 4 to 6 weeks when documentation is complete. The most common delay is missing medical records or an unclear description of the temporary living arrangement. Have your VA disability rating letter and a written statement from the family member homeowner ready before you start the application.
If you need help locating your nearest VA regional office, the VA’s online office locator at benefits.va.gov/benefits/offices.asp has a full directory. You can also call the VA at 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
Common Challenges and How to Handle Them
Most TRA Grant applications go smoothly, but a few issues come up repeatedly. Knowing them in advance saves time.
Challenge and Resolution
- Incomplete medical documentation — Request your full VA disability file through va.gov before applying. The SAH agent needs to see the specific disability rating and the functional limitations it causes
- Family member homeowner resistance — The homeowner must consent to the modifications. Reassure them that the work is professionally done, VA-inspected, and adds accessibility value to the property
- Contractor costs exceeding grant limits — Prioritize essential modifications first. The SAH agent can help you triage which work is most critical within the budget. Start with bathroom access and entry ramps
- Application processing delays — Use the va.gov online portal for fastest processing. Mail applications take longer because they require manual intake. Track your status online after submission
Veterans who are also considering long-term homeownership may want to explore how VA disability grants can work alongside a VA home loan to cover both the purchase and accessibility modifications of a permanent home.
The Bottom Line
The TRA Grant fills a critical gap for disabled veterans in temporary living situations. Up to $44,299 for SAH-eligible veterans and $7,910 for SHA-eligible veterans — no repayment, no strings attached. If you qualify for either the SAH or SHA grant and are temporarily living in a family member’s home, the TRA Grant can fund the modifications needed to make that home safe and accessible while you transition to permanent housing.
Apply through VA Form 26-4555. Have your disability rating documentation and temporary residence details ready before you start. The VA’s SAH agents are there to guide you through the modification process from approval to construction completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Temporary Residence Adaptation Grant?
The TRA Grant is a VA benefit that provides funding to modify a family member’s home for a veteran with a severe service-connected disability who is temporarily living there. It covers accessibility modifications like ramps, grab bars, and accessible bathrooms.
Are surviving spouses eligible for the TRA Grant?
No. The TRA Grant is available only to veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities. Surviving spouses may be eligible for other VA housing programs, including the SAH grant under certain conditions.
Does using the TRA Grant reduce my SAH or SHA entitlement?
Yes. TRA Grant funding is drawn from the same entitlement pool as your SAH or SHA grant. Every dollar used for temporary adaptations reduces the amount available for permanent housing modifications.
Can the TRA Grant be used on a rental property?
No. The TRA Grant is specifically for a family member’s home where the veteran is temporarily living. It cannot be used on rental properties, hotels, or other non-family-member residences.
How long does approval take?
Typically 4 to 6 weeks from submission with complete documentation. Applications submitted online through va.gov are processed faster than those sent by mail.
Can I combine the TRA Grant with other VA benefits?
Yes. The TRA Grant can be used alongside other VA benefits, including VA home loans and disability compensation. However, TRA funds cannot exceed the lifetime SAH or SHA maximum when combined with primary grant usage.
