If you are a veteran in Connecticut planning repairs or accessibility work on your home, here is the direct answer: Connecticut does not run its own grant or loan program for veteran home repairs or modifications. The state's real value shows up on your property tax bill instead, through a new full exemption and an older tiered exemption tied to your disability rating. Here is how the federal grant money works, what Connecticut adds, and how to apply for both.
The four federal VA grants#
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers four grant and health-benefit programs nationwide, and Connecticut veterans qualify the same as veterans anywhere. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) pays up to $126,526 in FY2026 for severe, permanent service-connected disabilities, such as loss of use of both legs or blindness rated 20/200 or worse. Special Home Adaptation (SHA) pays up to $25,350 in FY2026 for conditions like loss of use of both hands or certain respiratory injuries. Both are grants, not loans. Apply with VA Form 26-4555; SAH or SHA can be used up to six times over your lifetime.
Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) helps if you are living temporarily in a family member's home. In FY2026 it pays up to $50,961 through the SAH path or $9,100 through the SHA path. TRA can only be used once, counts toward your six lifetime uses, and draws down whichever grant total you qualify under. Congress currently authorizes TRA through September 30, 2026.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) is a VA health benefit, not a housing grant: apply through the VA medical center's Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service with VA Form 10-0103 and a provider's prescription. Service-connected veterans can receive up to $6,800 over their lifetime; other eligible veterans up to $2,000. Renters can use HISA with the landlord's notarized permission. SAH and SHA construction runs through a contractor holding a VA Builder ID, a registration, not an approval rating.
What Connecticut adds#
Connecticut's own agency for veterans is the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), at portal.ct.gov/dva, 860-616-3600, 287 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. DVA does not run a home repair, improvement, or adaptation grant or loan program. Its four service areas are advocacy and claims assistance, residential programs at Rocky Hill, the Sgt. John L. Levitow Healthcare Center for skilled nursing, and the State Veterans Cemetery. Connecticut's real contribution comes through property tax relief instead.
The biggest change is new. Under Public Act 24-46, effective October 1, 2024, a veteran with a service-connected permanent and total (P&T) VA disability rating gets their Connecticut primary residence fully exempt from property tax. If the veteran owns no home, one motor vehicle is exempt instead. There is no income test attached; file it with your town assessor.
Veterans with a partial rating, rather than P&T, qualify for a separate tiered exemption under state law: $1,500 off assessed value for a rating of 10 to 25 percent, $2,000 for 25 to 50 percent, $2,500 for 50 to 75 percent, and $3,000 above 75 percent or for a veteran age 65 or older. These reductions are separate from the full P&T exemption above. Wartime veterans also qualify for a basic $1,000 exemption. Income-qualified veterans can receive additional amounts, and towns may add local-option amounts as well.
Connecticut also has an older emergency-aid channel worth knowing about: the Soldiers', Sailors' and Marines' Fund, established in 1919 and administered by the American Legion, Department of Connecticut, since 2014. It provides short-term aid, such as food, clothing, medical bills, or utilities, for needy wartime veterans. It is not a repair grant, but it can bridge a gap while a federal application is pending.
How to apply in Connecticut#
Finding a provider who knows VA paperwork: Not every contractor has worked on SAH, SHA, or HISA projects. Adapta Home USA verifies providers' VA Builder ID Verified status, so you can filter for professionals who have handled this paperwork. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Connecticut with VA Builder ID Verified status.
For the federal VA grants, DVA's Office of Advocacy and Assistance runs five district offices, one per congressional district, staffed by state-employed veterans service officers who file VA Form 26-4555 and other federal claims at no charge. For either property tax exemption, file with your town assessor instead. Start at portal.ct.gov/dva to find your nearest district office.
How the programs stack together#
The federal VA grants pay for the actual construction, so start there. Connecticut's property tax relief does not fund a project, but the P&T full exemption can remove your entire property tax bill going forward, and veterans who do not meet the P&T standard can still claim the tiered exemption based on their disability rating.
For more on the federal programs, see our VA home modification grants guide and VA grant decision tree. Our guide to paying for home modifications and wheelchair ramp cost guide can help you plan a project budget.
Figures on this page were verified against portal.ct.gov in July 2026.
FAQ#
Does Connecticut have a state program that pays for veteran home repairs or modifications?#
No. Connecticut's contribution is property tax relief, alongside the four federal VA grants that pay for construction.
Do 100% disabled veterans pay property taxes in Connecticut?#
A veteran with a service-connected permanent and total rating can qualify for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence under Public Act 24-46, effective October 1, 2024.
How much is the Connecticut property tax exemption for a partially disabled veteran?#
The tiered exemption reduces assessed value by $1,500 to $3,000 depending on disability rating, plus a $1,000 wartime exemption and possible income-based add-ons.
Who helps Connecticut veterans apply for VA housing grants for free?#
DVA's Office of Advocacy and Assistance runs five district offices where state veterans service officers file VA Form 26-4555 and other federal claims at no cost.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Connecticut and filter for VA Builder ID Verified status. Our wheelchair ramp cost guide can help you plan your budget.
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation.
Program amounts, eligibility rules, and application procedures change. Figures on this page were verified against official government sources on the date shown, but you should confirm current details at VA.gov or with the administering agency before making decisions. Adapta Home USA is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.