There is financial support available for house reconstruction after a military injury.
According to the Associated Press, increasing numbers of soldiers are leaving the military with physical injuries. As of 2010 there are 755,000 disabled American veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and many more from America's previous wars with Korea and Vietnam. Many of these veterans may find that their injuries require modifications or reconstructions to their homes and this can be a costly process. There are, however, grant options to make such changes possible. Does this Spark an idea?
Specially Adapted Housing Grant
The Department of Veterans Affairs is the federal body responsible for looking after the country's former servicemen and women. With the Specially Adapted Housing Grant, veterans with a "specific service-connected" injury can apply for financial assistance to modify their home. Although the grant is generally used to make a home wheelchair-accessible, it can be used for any aspect of reconstruction. To be eligible a veteran must have lost or lost the use of one or both of the upper or lower extremities or the use of both eyes. As of 2010 the grant is limited to $50,000 and may be applied for at any time. Applications can be downloaded from the VA website.
Special Home Adaptation Grant
Similar to the Specially Adapted Housing Grant but offering no more than $10,000 (as of 2010) is the Special Home Adaptation Grant. This grant can be used to modify an existing home to improve a veteran's mobility when he has suffered permanent and total disability. To be eligible for this grant, a veteran must have blindness in both eyes, with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or have fully lost or lost the use of both hands or extremities below the elbow. These injuries must be directly related to service in the military. To apply, download the application form for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant
In contrast to the Specially Adapted Housing Grant and the Special Home Adaptation Grant, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant offers financial assistance for both service and non-service related injuries. Administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the HISA grant can be used for any home improvement or reconstruction, including essential lavatory and sanitary facilities. To be eligible for the HISA grant, a veteran must be able to prove that any alterations to the home are necessary or appropriate for the treatment of their disability. As of 2010 the HISA grant is fixed at $4,100 for service-connected veterans and $1,200 for non-service connected veterans. This grant can also be used in conjunction with other grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Tags: Adapted Housing, Adapted Housing Grant, Department Veterans, Department Veterans Affairs, Housing Grant
