How the HISA Grant Can Help Veterans Live More Comfortably at Home
Owning a bathroom remodeling company serving homeowners across Oklahoma, I’ve worked with thousands of families over the years. But nothing means more to me personally than when we get the chance to serve one of our Veterans, especially those whose homes need to be adapted due to disability or aging.
One of the most tangible ways we can say thank you to Veterans for their service is by making daily life a little easier, safer, and more dignified.
That’s why I want to spread the word about the HISA Grant. HISA stands for Home Improvements and Structural Alterations, a benefit available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that many Veterans either don’t know about or aren’t sure how to use.
If you or a loved one is a Veteran with service-connected or age-related disabilities, the HISA Grant may help pay for necessary bathroom modifications. In some cases, it can cover the majority of the cost of a walk-in shower remodel, grab bars, and other essential safety upgrades.
The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant program, offered by the VA, provides funding for home modifications needed to improve accessibility or to ensure the continuation of treatment for a disability.
HISA Grants cover roll-in or walk-in showers, ADA-compliant toilets or vanities, grab bars and handrails, and non-slip flooring. It also covers retrofitting to include door widening for mobility devices, raising or lowering counters, and improving overall bathroom access.
Unlike some other VA grants, HISA can be used for both service-connected and non-service-connected conditions, making it one of the most flexible programs available.
Under the current VA guidelines, HISA offers up to $6,800 for Veterans with service-connected conditions (or a 50%+ service-connected rating) and up to $2,000 for Veterans with non-service-connected conditions (often age-related). These funds do not need to be repaid. They are grants, not loans.
Depending on the scope of the remodel and the Veteran’s eligibility, this amount can often cover most of the cost of a walk-in shower installation, which is the most common and effective upgrade for accessibility and safety.
For many Veterans, the bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Slippery floors, high bathtub walls, and poor lighting make accidents more likely – especially for those with mobility issues, balance concerns, or chronic conditions. A simple fall in the bathroom can lead to months of recovery or permanent injury.
By remodeling the bathroom with accessibility in mind, Veterans greatly reduce the risk of injury and increase their ability to live independently at home.
Here’s what one of Berdit’s recent Veteran customers said after his remodel. “The walk-in shower installed by Bath Planet of Oklahoma makes it easy for me to get in and out of the shower safely, said Nick K of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. “The handrails and low entry threshold greatly reduce the risk of falling! While in the shower, the showerhead and handheld sprayer make it easy for me to wash myself. The shower seat allows me to comfortably wash my lower legs and feet without fear of falling over.
The ease of showering-along with the safety provided by the grab bars and seat-also gives my wife, Connie, peace of mind, knowing she doesn’t have to worry so much about me while I’m in there! Even our teenage grandsons love using it when they visit!
Thanks to Todd Berdit for noticing my Vietnam Veterans hat and telling me about the HISA Grant from the VA!
To qualify for the HISA Grant, Veterans must be enrolled in the VA healthcare system. They must secure a medical prescription from a VA provider stating the home improvement is necessary. They own or live in the home being modified (or, renters must have a signed and notarized statement from the owner authorizing the improvement or structural alteration). They must obtain a written, itemized estimate of the project’s cost. Then they must submit a completed application, including pictures of the unimproved area.
At Bath Planet of Oklahoma, we’ve helped thousands of Veterans successfully apply for and use their HISA Grant – and we’re happy to walk Veterans through the process from start to finish. This includes help with understanding the paperwork, choosing modifications that meet VA standards and submitting bids and documentation to the VA.
As a licensed plumbing company, they have 13 years of experience in this kind of work in going through the process with the VA. They know how to handle the details so Veterans don’t have to stress about them. They offer free in-home consultations, and are always happy to talk with Veterans and their families to determine if the HISA Grant might help.
Veterans served their country. If you or a loved one is a Veteran struggling with mobility in the bathroom, don’t wait. There are resources available to help, and the HISA Grant is one of the most useful and underutilized programs.
Give their office a call or stop by their showrooms. They will help Veterans explore their options and make the process simple. Their goal is to help Veterans stay safe and comfortable at home, with as little hassle as possible. • by Todd Berdit
