Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the bipartisan Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act, which would help disabled veterans and their families make accessibility and safety improvements to their homes. Specifically, this bipartisan bill would help disabled veterans build accessible bathrooms, widen their doors, and install wheelchair ramps, grab bars and handrails in their homes.
“After making countless sacrifices in service to our country, disabled veterans deserve to live in their own home with more freedom and dignity,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “That’s why I’m proud to work alongside Senator Boozman to provide them the resources they need to make improvements to their homes for accessibility and safety. I will continue working across the aisle to stand up for Nevada veterans and their families.”
“Arkansas veterans have sacrificed tremendously in service to our nation,” said Senator Boozman. “One of the most important ways we can support our former servicemembers is to ensure those living with a disability feel safer in an accessible home with a greater sense of independence and quality of life. I am pleased to champion commonsense improvements that will better serve those who have worn our nation’s uniform.”
“VA’s Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant program provides modifications to a veteran or service member’s primary residence. However, years of inattention have diminished the effectiveness of this program, and it is long past time to update grant rates to realistic levels. We appreciate the efforts of Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Boozman to correct that by increasing grant rates and tying them to a formula, so they remain current for years to come,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
The Department of Veteran Affairs’ Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program offers funds to help eligible disabled veterans with service-related medical issues make alterations to their homes to accommodate their medical needs. But HISA grants have not kept up with the current cost of materials and building. The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act would improve HISA by:
- Increasing the HISA grant from $6,800 to $10,000 for veterans with disabilities who apply after the bill becomes law, helping to cover the true cost of home improvements like accessible bathrooms.
- Raising the grant from $2,000 to $6,800 for veterans with non-service-connected disabilities who applied before the bill is enacted, ensuring they also get better support.
- Requiring the VA to adjust the grant amounts annually based on the cost of residential construction, so the funding stays relevant as prices change.
The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act has been endorsed by Paralyzed Veterans of America. A similar bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.-17), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.-11), and Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39).
Read the full bill here.
Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for our service members and veterans. Cortez Masto helped pass the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need, and she worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law. The Senator sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Collins demanding he provide answers on the mass terminations of personnel across the VA, specifically those in Nevada, and how those terminations would impact services to Nevada veterans.
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