AARP Hearing Center
For many people, aging in place is a top priority.
A majority (91 percent) of veterans 45 and older say it’s important for them to stay in their homes if they need long-term care, according to an AARP survey.
That’s why the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several grants to help service members and veterans pay for renovations that can make their homes more accessible if they’ve lost mobility. These programs are not only for young service members who have been injured in wars but also for veterans who served in the military decades ago.
Most (60 percent) veterans 45 and older are unaware that the VA provides grant funding for home modifications. Almost a quarter of veterans say they need financial assistance to make home modifications to continue living in their homes. In response, AARP created the Veterans Home Benefits Guide to assist them in navigating the numerous programs offered by the VA. The guide aims to help veterans:
- Understand eligibility requirements and the application process for the VA’s home modification grants and related programs.
- Identify home modifications to meet current and future care needs.
- Access support from certified veterans’ representatives who are experienced and knowledgeable about the VA’s benefits process.
Virtual Event: Connecting Veterans with Home Modification Programs
Blue Star Families and AARP are hosting a live town hall to connect Veterans and military families with VA home adaptation benefits for buying, building or modifying homes. Experts will introduce a new AARP resource, Veterans Home Benefits Modification Benefits Guide. This free tool, available digitally and in print, explains how to apply for the often overlooked $150 million in VA home adaptation benefits available annually.
Speakers include:
- Jason Latona, Chief of VA Specially Adapted Housing Program
- Juanita Jimenez-Soto, manager of AARP’s Veterans and Military Families initiative
- Amy Goyer, AARP caregiving expert
When: Sept. 26, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
“A majority of veterans want to receive long-term care at home, but often lack the means to adapt their homes to meet their needs,” says National Guard veteran Tim Lockwood, who is AARP’s senior adviser for communications and digital media. “This tool simplifies the often-challenging application process and helps veterans access critical financial support to help them live independently in their homes as they age.”
Read on for more information on these grants or visit AARP.org/VetsHomeBenefits for a comprehensive overview of the process.
What are home modification grants?
VA housing adaptation grants range from $2,000 to about $117,000, depending on a veteran’s eligibility and needs. The grants can help cover home renovation costs to enable veterans to age in place.
“The majority of veterans seeking housing adaptations today are Vietnam era, due in part to their age and progressive illnesses like Parkinson’s, cancer and diabetes,” says Jason Latona, chief of specially adapted housing for the VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration. “These veterans, like Americans from that era in general, are looking to adapt their homes so they can continue to age in place. VA housing adaptation grants provide an opportunity for some of these veterans to ensure their homes are more safe and accessible.”
For someone with mobility limitations, home adaptation renovations can include adding a roll-in shower and grab bars to make the bathroom easier to access, installing ramps to replace steps, replacing carpets with smooth flooring for easier maneuvering, or widening doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or walker. Several grant programs can assist with expenses, especially helpful because Medicare typically won’t cover these types of adaptations or home safety equipment.
The four types of grants available in 2024:
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant
Benefit: Up to $117,014.
Purpose: To purchase or build an adapted property or modify a permanent home.
To qualify, a veteran must own or be on track to own the home and have a qualifying service-connected disability:
- Blindness in both eyes.
- Certain types of severe burns.
- Loss or loss of use of extremities.
If a veteran applying for or receiving VA disability compensation is found to be eligible for this grant program, an SAH agent will contact the veteran.
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