The Veteran’s Complete Stairlift Guide (2026) | HISA, SAH, SHA

The 5 VA Programs That Can Pay for Your Stairlift

The Department of Veterans Affairs runs five separate programs that can fund a stairlift installation. Most veterans qualify for at least one. Many qualify for two or three — and when stacked together, the typical veteran pays nothing out of pocket for a straight-rail install.

This guide covers each program's eligibility, dollar amounts, application steps, and the stacking strategies that bring your cost to $0.

HISA — The Most Common Path (and Where 80% of Veterans Should Start)

The Home Improvement and Structural Alteration (HISA) grant is the workhorse of veteran stairlift funding. It is available to any veteran with a service-connected disability who needs a home modification for medical reasons.

Who qualifies

• Veterans with any percentage of service-connected disability rating
• Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare (for the $2,000 NSC grant)
• The modification must be medically necessary (documented by a VA physician or your private doctor)

6-step HISA application process

1. Get a prescription. Your VA primary care physician (or private physician) writes a letter stating you need a stairlift due to a specific medical condition. The letter must describe why stairs are medically dangerous for you.
2. Request a home assessment. Call your local VA medical center's Prosthetics department and ask for a HISA consultation. They will review your prescription.
3. Get contractor estimates. Obtain 1-3 written estimates from licensed stairlift installers. The VA requires itemized estimates showing equipment, labor, and any electrical work separately.
4. Submit VA Form 10-0103. Your VA Prosthetics representative will help you complete this form. Attach the prescription, estimates, and any photos of your staircase.
5. Wait for approval. Typical turnaround is 30-90 days. Service-connected claims are generally faster.
6. Schedule installation. Once approved, choose your contractor and schedule the work. The VA pays the contractor directly — you do not front the money.

SAH — The Bigger Grant, Stricter Eligibility

The Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant provides up to $109,986 for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities. While the HISA grant targets smaller modifications, SAH can fund an entire home adaptation — including stairlifts, elevators, widened doorways, and accessible bathrooms.

SAH eligibility requirements

• Loss of or loss of use of both lower extremities
• Loss of or loss of use of one lower extremity plus residuals of organic disease or injury
• Blindness in both eyes (5/200 visual acuity or less)
• Severe burns
• Loss of or loss of use of one lower extremity plus one upper extremity

If you qualify for SAH, a stairlift is almost certainly fully covered. The grant can also fund a home elevator or through-floor lift if a stairlift is not appropriate for your condition. Apply through your local VA Regional Office or at va.gov/housing-assistance.

SHA — The Narrower Cousin

The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) grant provides up to $22,036 for veterans with specific qualifying conditions — primarily loss of use of one hand or foot combined with service-connected conditions. SHA can fund a stairlift installation as part of a broader home modification plan.

Aid & Attendance — The Pension Supplement That Quietly Pays for Home Modifications

Aid and Attendance (A&A) is not a home modification grant — it is a monthly pension supplement for veterans who need help with daily activities. But the monthly payments can be used for any purpose, including paying for a stairlift.

State Veteran Grant Programs — The Ones That Stack on Top of HISA

Thirteen states offer veteran-specific home modification grants that stack with federal VA programs. This is where the $0 out-of-pocket math becomes real.

Stacking — How the Typical Veteran Pays $0 Out of Pocket

Stacking means combining multiple funding sources so that grants cover the full cost. Here are four real-world scenarios.

VA Facility Locator — Where to Apply in Your Region

Start by contacting the Prosthetics department at your nearest VA medical center. They coordinate HISA applications and can refer you to the appropriate program for SAH, SHA, or A&A.

Find your nearest VA facility at va.gov/find-locations. If you prefer in-person help, contact a local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) — they help with applications at no cost.

National veteran organizations also provide free assistance: DAV, American Legion, and VFW all have trained benefits advisors.

Common Mistakes Veterans Make (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Starting with the contractor instead of the VA. Get your HISA approval first. Installing before approval means the VA will not reimburse you.
2. Vague physician's letter. "Veteran has difficulty with stairs" gets denied. "Veteran with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (service-connected, 40%) is at high risk of falls on stairs due to reduced range of motion and instability" gets approved.
3. Not checking state programs. Veterans in the 13 states listed above often leave thousands on the table by not applying for state grants in addition to HISA.
4. Not using a VSO. Veterans Service Officers file these applications daily. They know what the VA reviewer wants to see. Their service is free.
5. Assuming they do not qualify. A 10% service-connected rating qualifies for the full $6,800 HISA grant. Many veterans with "minor" ratings do not realize this.

What We Do for Veteran Customers

• We provide the itemized estimate format the VA requires — no extra steps for you
• We coordinate directly with VA Prosthetics departments
• We schedule installation timing around VA approval timelines
• We accept direct VA payment — you do not front the cost
• We connect veterans who need help with a VSO in their area

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready When You Are

If you are a veteran (or the spouse of a veteran) and stairs are becoming a problem, the first step is a free assessment. We will evaluate your staircase, recommend the right stairlift, and help you identify every funding source you qualify for.

Request your free veteran assessment — or call to speak with our team. We work with VA Prosthetics departments across the country and can guide you through the process.