Thank you to all the veteran’s whom have served America proudly.  Some Georgian’s bear the limitations of physical mobility and deserve our every consideration to ensure their pursuit of happiness and life’s simple amenities not over looked or diminished.  For those of you caring for our American hero’s and Georgian residence, I salute you and ask God’s blessings on you.  When a service member becomes disabled, we all share in the sacrifice to our nation as we dedicate ourselves to serving others.  Your dedication is honored and held in the highest esteem by all Americans.

As a result of America’s unending acknowledgement and attempt to ensure our veteran’s in need have the necessary tools to continue their lives with dignity they deserve, the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Under the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) program, allows home bound Veterans with service-connected disabilities or Veterans with non-service-connected disabilities, if qualified, to receive assistance for any home improvement necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.  A HISA grant is available to Veterans who have received a medical determination indicating that improvements and structural alterations are necessary or appropriate for the effective and economical treatment of their disability.  A Veteran may receive both a HISA grant and either a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant or a Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant.

The HISA program is available for both service-connected Veterans and non-service-connected Veterans as of May 5, 2010 under the Caregiver and Veterans Omnibus Health Service Act of 2010, increasing the amounts available under the HISA grant:

• Home improvement benefits up to $6,800 may be provided for a:

• service-connected condition
• Non-service-connected condition of a Veteran rated 50 percent or more service-connected
• Allowing entrance or exit from Veteran’s home
• Improving access for use of essential lavatory and sanitary facilities
• Improving access to kitchen and bathroom counters
• Handrails
• Lowered electrical outlets and switches
• Improving paths or driveways
• Improving plumbing/electrical work for dialysis patients

Home improvement benefits up to $2,000 may also be provided to all other Veterans registered in the VA health care system. Veteran’s applying for the HISA Grant, must first have a “prescription” or determination statement of need and benefit from a VA or fee-basis physician in the name of the veteran seeking approval to make requested dwelling modifications.  This will include:

• Specific items required
• The diagnosis with medical justification
• The Veteran’s name, address, SSN, and phone number(s)

To apply, the Veteran must first provide the following Information:

• A completed VA Form 10-0103, VETERANS APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE (Local VA Field office or on-line) In Acquiring Home Improvement and Structural Alterations

• If living in a leased or rented property, written permission from the owner is required.
• Contractor estimates/quotes from a minimum of 3 licensed contractors (as required by state law).
• The contractors name, address, telephone, and Federal tax ID number or social security number.
• The Veteran’s name, address, and telephone number.
• Contractor/ provider building/install ion Plans and drawings/schematics.
• An itemized list of estimated materials, cost, and labor cost.
• All permits required (it is the contractors responsibility to obtain these).
• A clear picture of the work site prior to commencing construction.

The Georgia Republican Party encourages all citizens and residence of Georgia to embrace the Parties Veteran’s Outreach “VET-To-VET” program and help a veteran in need.  The folks whom read this column, are responsible for ensuring this benefit became a reality.  Because of your persistence, our Veteran’s are afforded opportunities to prosper.  The GAGOP VET-To-Vet program is intended to pool the talents and skill-sets of all of Georgia’s Veteran’s to aide all Veteran’s who need or request our assistance.  What we do for other’s brings us closer together.  Decide to do something for a Veteran today.

Thank you for responding to our call!

Colonel Larry Mrozinski USA RET.