For veterans with disabilities
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA is the largest single medical care system in the United States and it is one of the largest purchasers of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Access to eligibility and benefits information is provided here. Read more.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal agency that provides income supplements and medical benefits to former military personnel and their families.
Visit the VA website’s current benefits page for the booklet, Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility can be complicated at the VA. In general, eligibility is determined on an individual basis depending on a veteran’s service, income, level of VA pension or disability compensation, whether or not the disability is “service-connected”, and depending on the type of device or service needed.
VA health care is available to all veterans (with honorable or general discharges who have served at least 180 days of active duty) for at least two years after serving in a combat zone (this includes participants in the Global War on Terror). And veterans receiving VA care for any condition may receive VA devices and equipment through the VA’s Prosthetics and Sensory Aids program. VA care, however, is not considered an “entitlement”. These are services provided to veterans as funding allows and veterans are sorted into categories based on their priority for receiving service. Veterans must be annually enrolled in the VA healthcare system to receive any kind of care.
VA benefits information hotlines:
(800) 827-1000, includes vocational rehabilitation, pension, health*
(888) GI-BILL-1 (888-442-4551) for education benefits
(800) 829-4833 TDD, information for all benefits
* This is a good resource for all but residents of southeastern Massachusetts (Nantucket, Barnstable, Bristol and Dukes counties). There’s “a bug in the system”; the phone company connects these residents to the Boston VA Regional Office even though the Veterans Benefits Administration serves them through the Providence Road Island Regional Office only. Southeastern Massachusetts residents may get help by calling the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services representative in RI at 401-223-3685 (Dick Early).
Independent Living Services
Independent Living services (IL services), including AT, are available through the VA and their Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment division to eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities. Read more.
The services are authorized under the Chapter 31 of the GI bill. IL services are made available to eligible veterans who are not able to work as determined by an evaluation, called an “Individualized Extended Evaluation Plan” or IEEP. (Note: veterans with disabilities who are not eligible for VA services are usually eligible for services through the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.) Veterans pursuing IL services work with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to create a plan for achieving goals for independent living. This is called the “Individualized Independent Living Plan” or IILP. The IILP outlines the services needed to assist the veteran with becoming more independent in daily living in the home and community. Services outlined in the plan usually do not exceed 24 months and may include:
- Assistive technology
- Specialized medical, health, and/or rehabilitation services
- Services to address any personal and/or family adjustment issues
- Independent living skills training
- Connection with community-based support services
To Apply: Complete the Veterans On-line Application. The form is available online and at your local VA medical center. Find your local VA medical center at the VA website.
Contact
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Division
VA Regional Office
JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 303-5533
Acting Director Peter McPhail
Housing and Home Modification Grants
The VA administers 3 grant programs related to accessible housing: the Specially Adapted Housing Grant, the Special Home Adaptations Grant, and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant. Read more.
The Specially Adapted Housing Grant can cover 50% of the costs (up to $50,000) toward an accessible home for veterans who have specific service-connected permanent and total disabilities.
The Special Home Adaptations Grant pays up to $10,000 toward home modifications for veterans with service-connected permanent and total disabilities.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants provide funding of up to $4,100 for veterans with service-connected disabilities and up to $1,200 for veterans with non service-connected disabilities. These grants cover home modifications needed for disability-related access to the home and bathroom or sanitary facilities, or modifications required to continue medical treatment at home.
HISA applications are available through Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services at the Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury VA campuses in Boston.
Contact:
West Roxbury VA Division
1400 VFW Parkway West
Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 323-7700
Jamaica Plain VA Division
150 S. Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 232-9500
Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service
The VA’s Prosthetics and Sensory Aids program may buy AT devices for veterans receiving VA care for any condition. Read more.
Devices may include artificial limbs, orthopedic braces, wheelchairs, crutches and canes, and other “durable medical equipment” and supplies. Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services are located at the Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury VA campuses in Boston.
Contact
West Roxbury VA Division
1400 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
(617) 323-7700
Jamaica Plain VA Division
150 S. Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02130
(617) 232-9500
Housing and Home Modification Grants
The VA has three grant programs related to accessible housing: the Specially Adapted Housing Grant, the Special Home Adaptations Grant, and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant. Read more
The Specially Adapted Housing Grant may cover up to 50% of the cost (not exceeding $50,000) of an accessible home for veterans who have specific service-connected permanent and total disabilities.
The Special Home Adaptations Grant pays up to $10,000 toward home modifications for veterans with permanent and total disabilities related to their service.
The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant provides funding of up to $4,100 for veterans with service-connected disabilities, and up to $1,200 for veterans whose disabilities are not service-connected. These grants cover home modifications required to ensure disability-related access to the home and bathroom or sanitation facilities, or modifications necessary to continue medical treatment at home.
HISA applications are available through the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services at the Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury VA campuses in Boston.
Otherwise, hearing aids and eyeglasses may be provided if the Veteran can pay a $50 co-pay to the specialty clinic. For more information, contact your local VA medical center. Find your local VA medical center at the VA website.
Services for Blind Veterans
Various AT devices and services may be available to blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. Read more.
Blind veterans may be eligible for special services at a VA medical center or for admission to a VA blind rehabilitation center. The VA’s booklet, Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, reports that the following services may be available to blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system:
- A total health and benefits review
- Adjustment to blindness training
- Home improvements and structural alterations
- Specially adapted housing and adaptations
- Automobile grant
- Low-vision aids and training in their use
- Electronic and mechanical aids for the blind, including adaptive computers and computer-assisted devices such as reading machines and electronic travel aids
- Guide dogs, including the cost of training the veteran to use the dog
- Talking books, tapes, and Braille literature
For more information, contact your local VA medical center. Find your local VA medical center at the VA website.