Stairlifts for Veterans’ Spouses & Surviving Spouses
Who Qualifies: Spouses vs. Surviving Spouses
The VA distinguishes between spouses of living disabled veterans and surviving spouses of deceased veterans. Both groups have access to stairlift funding, but through different programs with different eligibility rules.
| Factor | Spouse of Living Veteran | Surviving Spouse |
|---|---|---|
| HISA grant access | Yes (through veteran's eligibility) | No (ends at veteran's death) |
| DIC | Not applicable | $1,699.36/month base (2026) |
| Survivors Pension + A&A | Not applicable | Up to $1,556/month |
| CHAMPVA | If veteran is 100% P&T | If veteran died of SC condition |
| State programs | Varies by state | Varies by state |
Spouse of a living disabled veteran
When the veteran is alive, the stairlift is typically funded through the veteran's HISA grant — even if the spouse is the one who needs it. The modification is for the home, not for a specific person. If the veteran has a service-connected disability, the full $6,800 HISA grant is available.
Surviving spouse (veteran is deceased)
After the veteran's death, HISA is no longer available. But surviving spouses have access to three other funding streams: DIC, Survivors Pension with Aid & Attendance, and CHAMPVA. Combined, these can fully fund a stairlift installation.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a tax-free monthly payment to surviving spouses of veterans who died from a service-connected condition (or who had a total disability rating for 10+ years before death).
- Base rate: $1,699.36/month
- Add $361/month if the spouse is housebound
- Add $387/month if the spouse needs Aid & Attendance
- Add $346/month per dependent child under 18
DIC payments can be directed toward any expense, including stairlift installation. At the base rate, 2-3 months of DIC payments cover a straight-rail stairlift.
How DIC connects to stairlift funding
DIC is not a home modification grant — it is unrestricted income. But for surviving spouses on a fixed income, accumulating 2-3 months of DIC payments is the most straightforward path to funding a stairlift without debt. Apply at va.gov/survivors.
Survivors Pension with Aid & Attendance
Eligibility
- Surviving spouse of a veteran who served during a wartime period
- Unmarried (or remarried after age 55 in some cases)
- Net worth below $163,699 (2026 limit, excluding home and vehicle)
- Need help with daily activities or are housebound
Aid and Attendance add-on
The A&A add-on increases the Survivors Pension to a maximum of $1,556/month. This rate applies when the surviving spouse needs regular help with bathing, dressing, toileting, or is at risk of falls — which includes difficulty using stairs.
How this funds a stairlift
Like DIC, Survivors Pension payments are unrestricted. Two to four months of A&A-enhanced pension payments can cover a complete stairlift installation.
CHAMPVA: Healthcare Coverage for Spouses
CHAMPVA covers spouses and dependents of veterans with 100% permanent and total (P&T) disability ratings, or surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions.
What CHAMPVA covers related to stairlifts
CHAMPVA covers durable medical equipment (DME) when prescribed by a physician. While stairlifts are not always classified as DME by insurers, some CHAMPVA claims for stairlift-related costs have been approved when the medical necessity documentation is strong. Contact CHAMPVA directly for current coverage determinations.
Can a Veteran's Spouse Get the HISA Grant?
While the veteran is alive
Yes — indirectly. The HISA grant modifies the home, not a specific person. If the veteran has a service-connected disability and the spouse needs a stairlift, the HISA grant can fund it as a home modification. The veteran applies; the spouse benefits.
After the veteran's death
No. HISA eligibility ends when the veteran dies. Surviving spouses must use other funding paths: DIC, Survivors Pension, CHAMPVA, state programs, or a combination.
State Programs for Veterans' Spouses
Several states extend veteran home modification benefits to surviving spouses.
Texas: Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected conditions may qualify for property tax exemptions and home modification assistance. California: CalVet extends certain benefits to surviving spouses. New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania: County-level programs often include surviving spouse eligibility. Contact your state veterans affairs office for current program details.
Property Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses
Many states offer property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of disabled veterans. While this does not directly pay for a stairlift, the annual savings ($1,000-$5,000+ in some states) free up budget for accessibility modifications.
A surviving spouse in Texas saving $4,000/year in property taxes effectively recoups a straight stairlift cost in under one year. In states like Florida, Illinois, and Virginia, the exemption can be even more substantial for 100%-disabled veterans' spouses.
Stacking Benefits: How to Combine Programs
- DIC: $1,699/month (ongoing)
- Survivors Pension with A&A: Not available (DIC and Pension are mutually exclusive — VA pays the higher amount)
- Stairlift cost: $3,500
- Months of DIC needed: 2.1 months
- Additional savings: Property tax exemption frees up $2,000-$4,000/year
- DIC: Not available (death not service-connected)
- Survivors Pension with A&A: Up to $1,556/month
- Stairlift cost: $3,500
- Months of pension needed: 2.3 months
- HISA grant (through veteran): $6,800
- Stairlift cost: $4,200
- Net cost: $0 (HISA covers entire installation)
- Remaining HISA balance: $2,600 for additional modifications
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Determine which programs you qualify for. Use the comparison table above to identify your category (spouse vs. surviving spouse).
- Contact a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). They help with applications at no cost and know which programs to prioritize.
- Gather documentation. Death certificate (for survivors), marriage certificate, veteran's DD-214, physician's letter of medical necessity for the stairlift.
- Apply for DIC or Survivors Pension first. These provide the monthly income stream. Apply at va.gov/survivors.
- Apply for CHAMPVA separately. If eligible, CHAMPVA may cover a portion of the stairlift cost directly.
- Check state programs. Your VSO can identify state-level benefits you may not know about.
- Get stairlift estimates. Request itemized quotes showing equipment, labor, and materials separately — this is the format VA and state programs require.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. HISA eligibility ends when the veteran passes away. Surviving spouses should apply for DIC and/or Survivors Pension with Aid & Attendance instead. See our veteran stairlift guide for HISA details while the veteran is alive.
The 2026 base DIC rate is $1,699.36/month, tax-free. Add-ons for housebound status ($361/month), Aid & Attendance ($387/month), and dependent children ($346/month each) increase the total.
CHAMPVA covers durable medical equipment when prescribed, but stairlift coverage is not guaranteed. Strong medical necessity documentation improves the chance of approval. Contact CHAMPVA directly for a coverage determination before purchasing.
No. DIC and Survivors Pension are mutually exclusive — the VA pays whichever is higher. DIC ($1,699/month base) is almost always the larger benefit for spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions.
You can deduct only the out-of-pocket portion not covered by VA benefits. If DIC payments fund the stairlift, those are tax-free income used for a medical expense — the medical expense itself may still be deductible. Consult a tax advisor or see our tax deduction guide.
What to Do Next
If you are a veteran's spouse or surviving spouse and stairs are becoming unsafe, you likely qualify for more funding than you realize. Start with a free assessment — we will evaluate your staircase and help identify every benefit available to you.
Request your free assessment or read Diane's story in our veteran stairlift stories — she is a surviving spouse who funded her stairlift entirely through VA benefits.
Ready to Get Started?
Free in-home assessment within 24 hours. No pressure, no obligation.