If you are a New York veteran planning repairs or accessibility work on your home, you have more than the four federal VA grants available in every state. New York runs its own accessibility-modification program for veterans, Access to Home for Heroes, plus several property tax exemptions that can lower what you owe every year. Here is what each program covers and how to apply.
The four federal VA grants#
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers four grant and benefit programs nationwide, and New York veterans qualify like veterans anywhere else.
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) pays up to $126,526 in FY2026 for a severe, permanent service-connected disability. Special Home Adaptation (SHA) pays up to $25,350 in FY2026 for a lesser but still qualifying disability; a family member may also own the home under SHA. Both are grants, not loans. 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 New York adds#
Access to Home for Heroes, run by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), pays for accessibility modifications, emergency home repairs, and code-violation fixes at a veteran's primary residence. Covered work includes wheelchair ramps and lifts, handrails, doorway widening, and roll-in showers. To qualify, you need documented veteran status, a substantial physical disability, and household income up to 120 percent of the area median income (AMI). Both owner-occupied homes and rental primary residences qualify, unlike most state repair programs, which serve homeowners only.
HCR does not publish a per-home dollar cap. Award size depends on the Local Program Administrator serving your area.
New York also offers property tax exemptions, each filed with your local assessor: the Alternative Veterans Exemption (wartime service, locality opt-in), the Cold War Veterans Exemption (Cold War-era service, optional local benefit), and the Eligible Funds Exemption (home bought with pension, bonus, or insurance money). A new full exemption for veterans with a VA permanent and total disability rating takes effect for assessment rolls dated on or after October 1, 2026. Application forms were still in process as of this writing, so watch your local assessor's office as the date approaches.
How to apply in New York#
You cannot apply to HCR directly. Access to Home for Heroes is delivered through Local Program Administrators, funded municipalities and nonprofits, so first find the one serving your area through HCR's local-partners directory at hcr.ny.gov.
For any property tax exemption, file with your local assessor. Most New York localities set a March 1 filing deadline, so apply early and bring proof of your service and disability rating.
For a federal VA claim, including VA Form 26-4555, the New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) offers free help through its Veterans Benefits Advisors and county veterans service agencies. Reach DVS at veterans.ny.gov.
Finding a provider who knows this program: Not every contractor has handled veteran home-modification work. 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 New York
How the programs stack together#
Three doors: HCR for Access to Home for Heroes, your local assessor for property tax exemptions, and DVS for federal VA claims. Start with the four federal grants, since that money never has to be repaid, then ask your Local Program Administrator about the rest. Property tax exemptions run separately and reduce what you owe every year you own the home.
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.ny.gov, hcr.ny.gov, and tax.ny.gov in July 2026.
FAQ#
Does New York have a state program that pays for veteran home modifications?#
Yes, Access to Home for Heroes, run by HCR. You apply through a Local Program Administrator, not directly to HCR, and no dollar cap is published.
Can renters get help from New York's Access to Home for Heroes program?#
Yes. Both owner-occupied homes and rental primary residences qualify, which is unusual for a state repair program.
What is New York's new property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans?#
A full property tax exemption for veterans with a VA permanent and total disability rating, effective for assessment rolls dated on or after October 1, 2026. Application forms were still in process as of this writing, so check with your local assessor.
Who helps New York veterans apply for VA housing grants for free?#
The New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) helps veterans file federal VA claims, including VA Form 26-4555, at no cost through its Veterans Benefits Advisors and county veterans service agencies. Reach DVS at veterans.ny.gov.
Find a verified provider near you#
Adapta Home USA's directory lets you search Home Modifications & Remodeling providers in New York 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.