Three VA programs, three purposes
| Program | Who it is for | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| HISA (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations) | Enrolled veterans with a medical need, through VA health care | Medically necessary changes to the primary home, such as bathroom access. Lifetime limits of up to $6,800 or up to $2,000 depending on eligibility. |
| SHA (Special Home Adaptation) | Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities | Adapting a home for independent living. The VA updates the maximum each fiscal year. |
| SAH (Specially Adapted Housing) | Veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities, often involving mobility | Building or adapting a home for accessibility. The VA updates the maximum each fiscal year. |
For most bathroom projects, HISA is the usual route. The higher $6,800 cap applies when the work relates to a service-connected condition or the veteran is rated 50 percent or higher; the $2,000 cap covers other enrolled veterans. Both are lifetime totals.
How HISA works, step by step
- Talk with your VA provider about the trouble you have bathing. The provider documents medical need and writes a prescription for the change.
- Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at your VA health system manages the application, VA Form 10-0103.
- Quotes. The VA will want an itemized estimate. We can supply one.
- Approval comes first. The VA generally does not reimburse work completed before approval.
- Completion and payment follow the VA's process, which can include inspection or photos.
HISA excludes spa and hot tub installations. If you are considering a walk-in tub with jets, ask your VA team how they will view it before you choose a model.
VA health systems across Texas
Texas is served by several VA health care systems, each with community clinics. Your local Prosthetics office is part of the system that serves your area:
- Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas: VA North Texas Health Care System, based at the Dallas VA Medical Center.
- San Antonio and South Texas: South Texas Veterans Health Care System, home of the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital.
- Austin and Central Texas: Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, based in Temple, with outpatient care in Austin.
- El Paso: El Paso VA Health Care System.
- Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend: VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, with clinics in Harlingen, McAllen and other cities.
- Houston and Southeast Texas: the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
Use the VA facility locator to find the clinic nearest you.
State help for veterans
The Texas Veterans Commission helps veterans file VA claims and connects them with state benefits. A higher service-connected rating can change which HISA amount applies, so a claims review can matter. The commission's counselors do this at no charge.
Choosing the right bathroom change
A walk-in tub is one option. A roll-in shower may suit a veteran who uses a wheelchair, and a transfer tub with a wide outward door can help someone who slides from a chair. Your VA occupational therapist can be a great ally here. Our tub or shower guide lays out the trade-offs.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting work before approval. HISA generally does not pay for work already done.
- Skipping the medical step. Without a provider documenting need, the application stalls.
- Assuming the larger amount. Which HISA limit applies depends on service connection and rating.
- Forgetting renters' rules. If you rent, the owner's written permission is typically needed.
- Choosing jets without asking. Spa features may not be eligible.
Common questions
How much is the VA HISA grant?
Lifetime caps are $6,800 for needs tied to service connection or a 50 percent-plus rating, and $2,000 for other enrolled veterans, according to the VA.
Where do Texas veterans apply for HISA?
Through the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at the VA health care system that serves you, after your VA provider documents the medical need. The form is VA Form 10-0103.
Will HISA pay for a jetted walk-in tub?
HISA excludes spa and hot tub installations, so ask your VA team how they will treat a jetted model before you choose it.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HISA program page
- VA: Disability housing grants (SAH and SHA)
- VA: Find a VA location
- Texas Veterans Commission
Agencies update their rules and amounts. Confirm with the linked source before you rely on a figure.