REP. LAWSON'S AUTONOMY FOR DISABLED VETERANS ACT INCREASES BENEFITS FOR VETS TO MAKE STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR HOMES

Press Release

In observance of Veteran's Day, U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (FL-05) introduced the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act (H.R.5819) to increase the maximum amount allotted to the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant program for disabled veterans. The program provides funding for essential home accessibility for veterans with medical issues. Currently, eligible veterans can receive up to $6,800 under the HISA program. Rep. David Trone (MD-06) and Rep. Daniel Meuser (PA-09) led the legislation with Rep. Lawson.

The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act will increase the amount from $6,800 to $10,000 and will be adjusted on an annual basis for inflation.

"Support for our veterans is more crucial than ever in these challenging times," Rep. Lawson said. "The pandemic, coupled with the outdated HISA grant, leave our veterans particularly vulnerable, which is why we must work to make amends. To ensure continued usability and with the inevitability of inflation, HISA grant maximums must be increased for veterans with service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities. The Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act enables them to make improvements and structural alterations furnished as part of home health services. This critical funding provides our veterans the independence and comfort that all Americans deserve."

"Our nation owes our disabled veterans the support they need to live healthy and independent lives after leaving the service," Rep. Meuser said. "The Home Improvement & Structural Alteration (HISA) grant program helps veterans modify their homes so they can live independently, but while construction costs have gone up, grant funding for disabled veterans has remained stagnant. I am proud to be working with my colleagues David Trone and Al Lawson to ensure disabled veterans receive the resources they need to live independently in their own homes."

Specifically, the Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act would:

Increase the HISA grant maximum amount to $10,000 for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Increase the HISA grant maximum amount to $5,000 for veterans with non-service-connected disabilities.
Ensure the HISA grant maximum will increase with inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index.
Congress last increased funding for HISA grants in 2009. Due to inflation, HISA grants no longer cover the actual cost of renovations, and as a result, veterans are often left with unfinished home improvement projects leading to partial accessibility in their residences.

Organizations supporting the bill include Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Legion, American Gold Star Mothers, Blinded American Veterans, Easterseals, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and AMVETS.

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