On August 14, 2014, the VA changed its rules for its Specially
Adapted Housing (SAH) program to automatically issue certificates of eligibility for SAH to disabled American veterans with amyotropic lateral sclerosis (“ALS” or “Lou Gehrig’s disease”). To qualify, the ALS must be service-connected with a Military Disability Rating of 100%.
This means that veterans and active duty military with service-connected
ALS will automatically be considered eligible for an amount up to the maximum
SAH grant amount of $67,555. This money may be used to adapt an existing home
or help build a new home to meet their needs. These grants may also be used to
help purchase or reduce the mortgage amount on an already adapted home.
Because ALS is a progressive disease (one that gets worse
with time), veterans often had to file multiple claims with the VA to increase
their benefits as their conditions got worse. This rule change eliminates the
requirement for multiple claims for SAH and allows our veterans to create
barrier-free living spaces that will increase their ability to be independent
in their own homes.
The VA anticipates that this change will streamline the
application for and delivery of SAH grants, saving approximately 12 months in
the overall process. The VA hopes that by making the SAH grant process easier
and faster, more ALS sufferers will be able to enjoy greater independence and
remain in their own homes.
If you have ALS and have not received any information about
SAH grants from the VA, please contact your local VA office to obtain more
information.
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