Home Modification Grants For People With Disabilities

Accessibility modification grants help those with disabilities have more freedom in their homes

A father and his son preparing dinner in the kitchen
Photo: Maskot / Getty Images
A father and his son preparing dinner in the kitchen
Photo: Maskot / Getty Images
Highlights
  • Home modification grants cover a wide range of accessible modifications, including wheelchair ramps, lowering kitchen cabinets, and installing chair lifts.

  • Home modification grants are available through the federal and state government, as well as private organizations.

  • If you don’t qualify for home modification grants, you might consider modifying your home using rehabilitation loans.

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If you, (or someone your love), lives with a disability, you might be eligible for a home modification grant. Federal, state, and private organizations all offer a wide range of programs and services that benefit different people, such as veterans and seniors. Read on to learn more about these beneficial programs, and how to apply.  

What Are Home Modification Grants for Disabilities?

Federal and state agencies and private organizations invest in people with disabilities through home modification grants (money you don’t have to pay back). They vary in award amounts, designated groups of people like veterans, senior citizens, and low-income earners, and what improvements they’ll cover. They also require an application process. 

What Projects Do Home Modification Grants Cover?

Disability grants cover a wide range of home modifications inside and outside of the house, but, if you’re moving to a new home, they don’t cover moving assistance. They can be as extensive as accessible outdoor landscaping and widening hallways, or as simple as adding non-slip flooring. Other common projects include lowering thermostat panels and kitchen cabinets, and updating to universal bathroom designs for anyone with mobility issues.

Depending on the agency or group, some grants cover all of the expenses and some only cover portions.

Pro Tip

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a set of recommendations and requirements for commercial buildings. They do not need to be followed in a residential home—but they’re really good ideas. I use most of the ADA guidelines as a template for home accessibility. An accessible home doesn’t necessarily need to look industrial like it does in a public building. Some manufacturers make some beautiful stuff that you wouldn’t even know are designed for accessibility.

Director of Commercial Painting Services at Five Star Painting

 6 home modification grant projects compared visually, including adding handrails, widening hallways, and installing ramps
Photo: Toa55 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, shironosov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, onurdongel / E+ / Getty Images, BenDC / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Nicholas Murrall / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Nickbeer / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Disability Modifications Costs 

The costs vary depending on how much work your local home remodeling pro needs to do, but the average disability modification costs about $4,350

Here’s a look at common modification projects and their costs:

ModificationAverage Cost
Wheelchair ramp$950–$3,000
Wheelchair ramp repairs$560–$2,000
Elevator$2,600–$6,300
Elevator or lift repair and replacement$180–$530
Grab bars and handrails $100–$500
Widening doors$700–$2,500
Walk-in tubs designed for mobility issues$1,000–$17,000

How to Apply for Home Modification Grants

A handicap accessible bathroom with grab bars
Photo: sbossert / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Each grant has guidelines for applying, so read over the requirements and eligibility criteria before starting. You can expect that federal and state grants will need a significant amount of documentation like bank documents, tax returns, and medical history. 

In addition to financial records, private organizations could ask for your personal background, unique circumstances, and how you would use the grant money to improve your home and lifestyle. Looking into home modification tips might help you narrow down the features that you can mention in your application.

Grants for Handicap Remodeling

The good news is that there are many organizations offering grants. Once you learn to find the grants and apply, you’ll be on your way to making life-changing modifications to your home. 

Federal Grants 

Veterans, in particular, can take advantage of federal grants, but there are opportunities for other groups of people.

State Grants 

Sometimes the best help is local. Check your home state’s chapters of national organizations to improve your accessible housing options. 

Private Organization Grants 

Regardless of where you live, you can ask these organizations for assistance; just read over their application process for eligibility. 

What to Do if You Can't Get a Grant

If you don’t qualify for a grant, you may be eligible for an affordable home improvement loan. Shop a few local lenders for the best rates, but start with these options when researching loans. These are rehabilitation loans that let you refinance your current mortgage and add in the cost of your home modifications into the payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is possible to get a free home modification depending on the organization providing the modification funding. Home modification grants have different criteria and offerings based on the applicant’s disability, place of residence, and financial circumstances, as well as their own budget.

Other types of home improvement grants available are for those with very low-income housing, elderly people needing assistance, older adults, and veterans. These grants can range from helping with accessible modifications to improving critical issues that may affect the resident’s health or safety.

To qualify for a home modification grant, a disabled person must live in the house. But who will qualify for any given home modification grant depends on the criteria required by each individual grant issuer, whether it’s an organization, state, or federal government. It’s important to look at the specific requirements for each grant.

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