Walk-in tub benefits for veterans

How to apply for VA benefits for walk-in tubs

To start your application, visit the official VA website or contact your local VA regional office. There, you’ll receive detailed instructions and necessary forms to apply for walk-in tub benefits.

Collect all relevant documentation from your military career, such as discharge papers and service records. Also, obtain medical paperwork that confirms your disability status and service-related conditions. These documents will support your application for walk-in tub benefits.

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Am I eligible for VA grants for walk-in tubs?

Eligibility for VA grants for walk-in tubs depends on factors such as your military service, disability status and the specific grant program. To confirm your eligibility, review the VA guidelines or contact your local VA office for personalized assistance.

Contact your local VA regional office or visit the official VA website for detailed information and assistance in assessing your eligibility.

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VA disability housing allowance for walk-in tubs

A Veterans Affairs (VA) disability housing allowance is designed for veterans with severe illnesses or injuries in need of remodeling, building or purchasing an adapted home to better cater to their medical needs. The grant can be used to make medically necessary improvements (like adding a walk-in tub) and structural alterations to a veteran’s primary residence.

VA housing grants are awarded based on your disability severity and living situation. These grants are typically reserved for veterans with 100% disability ratings or those with significant disabilities.

If you have a qualifying condition and want to modify your home for improved disability accommodations, you can apply for one of the following VA housing grants.

VA Special Home Adaptation (SHA)

The Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant is focused on veterans who have lost the use of their hands or have certain severe burns or respiratory injuries. As with the SAH grant, veterans who qualify for SHA can use the funds to adapt, build or buy their home to suit the needs of their disability.

The VA currently offers up to $23,444 for the SHA grant in the 2024 fiscal year. You can apply for both SAH and SHA if you’re eligible; you can also use SHA benefits in future years if you don’t need the full amount right away.

SHA grant eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the SHA grant, veterans must own or intend to own a permanent home (or be living with a family member who owns the home) and have at least one of the following service-connected conditions:

• Severe burn injuries
• Certain respiratory conditions
• Loss or loss of use of both hands

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA)

Unlike other VA housing allowances, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant doesn’t require that your disabling condition be a result of active military duty, but you must have a condition rated at least 50% disabling by the VA.

For veterans with a service-connected condition, a lifetime HISA benefit of up to $6,800 is available, while veterans with a non-service-connected condition may receive a lifetime benefit of $2,000.

HISA grants can be used to improve various areas of your primary residence — e.g., entrances and exits, lavatory and sanitary facilities, kitchen or bathroom sinks and counters, paths and driveways and plumbing or electrical systems for installing home medical equipment — to meet your medical needs.

HISA grants do not cover certain improvements, including:

• Walkways to exterior buildings
• Hot tubs or whirlpool spas
• Exterior decks
• Home security systems
• Removable equipment and appliances

Taken together, this means that a HISA grant could allow you to install a non-jetted walk-in tub. However, a walk-in tub with jets would not qualify for a grant, since Jacuzzi-type tubs are excluded from HISA.

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VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)

If you’re a veteran with a qualifying service-connected disability and considering a walk-in tub as part of your home modification, you may be eligible for a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant.

The SAH grant helps veterans purchase, build, or modify a home to meet their needs. In 2024, veterans who qualify can receive up to $117,014 for home modifications.

SAH grant eligibility requirements

To qualify for the SAH grant, you must currently own or plan to own a permanent home and have a qualifying service-connected disability, including:

• Loss or loss of use of more than one limb
• Loss or loss of use of a lower leg along with residuals (lasting effects) of an organic disease or injury
• Blindness in both eyes (with 20/200 visual acuity or lower)
• Certain severe burns
• Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity (foot or leg) after Sept. 11, 2001, resulting in the inability to balance or walk without the assistance of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

There’s a limit of 120 grants per fiscal year for veterans and service members who qualify based on the loss of one extremity after Sept. 11, 2001. If you are eligible but can't receive the grant in the current fiscal year due to the limit, you may be eligible to receive this benefit in future years.

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VA Veteran Directed Care (VDC)

The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program is part of the broader Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It helps veterans who need assistance with daily activities like bathing. Eligible veterans receive access to a flexible budget that they can use to purchase equipment, including walk-in tubs.

The approval process typically involves the following steps:

• Apply for the VDC program: This can be done through their VA healthcare provider or local VA office. Veterans must provide details about their medical conditions and daily care needs to qualify for VDC funding.
• Request a home assessment: A VA healthcare professional will assess the home environment and determine what modifications are necessary to support the veteran’s health and safety. This may include the installation of a walk-in tub.
• Submit the funding request: Once the need for a walk-in tub is confirmed, the veteran can submit a request to the VA for funding. The VA will evaluate the request and allocate the appropriate budget.
• Coordinate installation: After receiving approval, the veteran can proceed with the installation, either by hiring contractors or working with a VA-approved provider.

VA Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA)

Veterans who qualify for SAH or SHA grants but don’t live or plan to live in a permanent home may apply for a Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) grant. This grant can be used to modify a temporary residence or family member's home to meet the needs of the specified disabilities.

 In 2024, veterans eligible for the SAH grant can receive up to $47,130 through the TRA grant. Those qualifying for SHA grants can receive up to $8,415.

Alternative ways to pay for a walk-in tub

As a veteran, you can explore various state and local programs offering financial assistance for walk-in tubs and other home modifications. Some nonprofit organizations and charities also have support for veterans seeking walk-in tubs and other essential amenities.

Some mortgage lenders offer veterans special financing options for home modifications, including walk-in tubs. This type of financing can help veterans pay for the cost of a tub over time while avoiding a large upfront payment.

You can also get a personal loan to finance the cost of a walk-in tub. However, it’s important to compare interest rates and terms before taking out a personal loan, as these can vary widely — and interest can add up quickly.

Also, some walk-in tub companies, including Safe Step, provide military discounts. A Kohler customer on our site also mentioned receiving $1,000 off for being a veteran.

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