If you are a veteran in Montana planning repairs or accessibility work on your home, here is the direct answer: Montana 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 sliding-scale rate reduction tied to your income and disability status. Here is how the federal grant money works, what Montana 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 Montana 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, so nothing is repaid. Apply with VA Form 26-4555; SAH or SHA can be used up to six times over your lifetime as funds remain.
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 as one of your six lifetime uses, and draws down whichever grant total, SAH or SHA, 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, so you 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 can receive 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 Montana adds#
Montana's own agency for veterans is the Montana Veterans Affairs Division (MVAD), part of the Department of Military Affairs, at veterans.mt.gov, 406-324-3742. MVAD does not run a home repair, improvement, or adaptation grant or loan program. Its benefits are claims representation, cemeteries, state veterans homes, license plates, tuition waivers, and property tax assistance. Montana's real contribution is the Montana Disabled Veteran (MDV) Assistance Program, under section 15-6-311 of the Montana Code Annotated.
MDV is not an exemption. It reduces the property tax rate on your primary residence on a sliding scale, from 50% up to a full 100% reduction, based on income and filing status. Eligibility is based on a 100% service-connected disability rating confirmed by the VA, open to the veteran or their unmarried surviving spouse. Own and occupy the home at least seven months yearly and apply by April 15 with Form MDV, filed with a Department of Revenue field office or online.
For tax year 2026, a single filer earning up to $48,152 gets the full 100% rate reduction, tapering to 80% up to $52,968, 70% up to $57,781, and 50% up to $62,598. Married filers or heads of household get 100% up to $57,781, 80% up to $62,598, 70% up to $67,412, and 50% up to $72,229. Unmarried surviving spouses qualify for 100% up to $40,127, 80% up to $44,942, 70% up to $49,758, and 50% up to $54,573. These limits are inflation-indexed annually, so confirm current figures before filing.
Montana also runs a Military Family Relief Fund for families of activated National Guard or Reserve members facing housing costs during deployment. It does not fund home repairs, so do not confuse it with a construction grant.
How to apply in Montana#
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 before. Find Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Montana with VA Builder ID Verified status →
For the federal VA grants, MVAD's Veteran Service Officers, based in nine offices statewide, help you file VA Form 26-4555 and related claims at no charge. These officers also travel outreach to more than 47 rural communities, which matters where fixed offices are hours apart. For the MDV reduction, file with a Department of Revenue field office instead, not MVAD. Start at veterans.mt.gov to find your nearest service office.
How the programs stack together#
The federal VA grants pay for construction, so start there, since that money never has to be repaid. Montana's MDV program does not fund a project, but it can lower your annual property tax bill on a graduated scale.
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 veterans.mt.gov and revenue.mt.gov in July 2026.
FAQ#
Does Montana have a state program that pays for veteran home repairs or modifications?#
No. Montana's contribution is the MDV property tax rate reduction, alongside the four federal VA grants that pay for construction.
Do 100% disabled veterans pay property taxes in Montana?#
Many do, but at a reduced rate. MDV cuts the tax rate by 50% to 100% depending on income, rather than eliminating the bill entirely.
What are the income limits for Montana's MDV property tax program in 2026?#
A single filer up to $48,152 gets a full 100% reduction, tapering through 80%, 70%, and 50% tiers toward $62,598. Married filers have higher tiers; unmarried surviving spouses have lower ones, ranging from $40,127 to $54,573.
Who helps Montana veterans apply for VA housing grants for free?#
MVAD Veteran Service Officers, in nine statewide offices and traveling to 47-plus communities, help with VA Form 26-4555 at no cost. Find your nearest office at veterans.mt.gov.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in Montana 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.