A Step-by-Step HISA Grant Application Guide for Long Island Veterans
The VA HISA grant can fund up to $2,000 or $6,800 toward a bathtub conversion, depending on your disability status. The application looks complicated from the outside. It isn't.
Here's the process, from your first conversation with your VA doctor to the day we show up at your door.
Not sure if you qualify? Start with our
HISA eligibility guide before reading on.
One rule that cannot be skipped: Do not begin any work before you have written VA approval. The VA will not reimburse modifications started before official approval, even if the work is exactly what was requested. This includes removing fixtures, measuring, or any physical work in the bathroom.
STEP 1: Enroll In VA Health Care
To apply for the HISA grant, you need to be enrolled in the VA health care system. If you're not yet enrolled, visit the VA site
here.
Long Island veterans can access VA care through the Northport VA Medical Center in Suffolk County or the VA clinic in East Meadow in Nassau County. Nassau County's Veterans Service Agency also offers free transportation to VA facilities.
STEP 2: Get A Prescription From Your VA Doctor
This is the foundation of the HISA application. Your VA doctor or occupational therapist writes a prescription that documents:
- Your name, address, and contact information
- Your diagnosis and how it affects your ability to use the bathroom safely
- The specific modification needed, for example a tub step-in conversion or grab bar installation
- Medical justification for why the modification is necessary
Be specific when you talk to your doctor. Describe the actual risk you face getting in and out of the tub. The more clinical and specific the prescription, the smoother the VA review.
STEP 3: Get An Itemized Contractor Estimate
The application also requires a written estimate from a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor. The estimate must include scope of work, materials, labor, permits, and inspections.
Affordable Bathtub Conversions provides HISA-formatted estimates at no charge. Call us at
(516) 770-6130. We'll assess your bathroom and have the documentation ready within a day or two.
STEP 4: Complete VA Form 10-0103
VA Form 10-0103 is the official application form. It's available
here or at your local VA medical center.
When completing it:
- Mark whether you're requesting an advance payment. The VA can pay up to 50% of the approved amount upfront so you're not out of pocket while waiting for final payment.
- If you rent, attach a signed and notarized landlord approval letter.
- Include photos of the unmodified bathroom area.
STEP 5: Submit Your Complete Application
Your package should include:
1. The VA prescription from your doctor
2. Completed and signed VA Form 10-0103
3. Itemized contractor estimate
4. Color photographs of the unmodified area
5. Proof of ownership, or landlord approval letter if renting
Submit to the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service at your local VA medical center. Northport VAMC serves Suffolk County. East Meadow serves Nassau County. You can submit in person, by mail, or by fax.
STEP 6: Wait For Approval
The VA is required to issue a decision within 30 days of receiving a complete application. In practice, review typically takes 30 to 45 days. You'll receive a formal approval letter by mail.
Do not start any work during this period.
STEP 7: Schedule The Installation
Once you have your approval letter, call us at
(516) 770-6130. Most
installations are scheduled within days and completed in under 3 hours. Tod personally performs every install. We leave the bathroom clean and ready to use the same day.
STEP 8: Submit Final Documentation
After installation, you'll submit a final itemized receipt and photos of the completed work. Affordable Bathtub Conversions provides both in the format the VA prefers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does HISA grant approval take?
The VA is required to decide within 30 days of a complete application. Most approvals arrive in 30 to 45 days. Incomplete applications (missing the contractor estimate, prescription, or photos) are the most common cause of delays.
Can I get an advance payment so I don't have to pay upfront?
Yes. Mark the advance payment request on VA Form 10-0103. If approved, the VA can advance up to 50% of the grant before work begins. The remainder is paid after you submit final documentation.
What VA medical centers serve Long Island veterans for HISA applications?
Nassau County veterans are served by the VA clinic in East Meadow. Suffolk County veterans are served by the Northport VA Medical Center. Both have Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service departments that process HISA applications.
What if the grant doesn't cover the full cost?
Affordable Bathtub Conversions structures our pricing so that the $2,000 benefit covers a complete step-in installation for most veterans. If a gap exists, we'll discuss options during your free consultation.
Do I need multiple contractor bids?
No. The VA requires one itemized estimate from a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor. You choose your contractor. You don't need to get competing quotes.
Call Affordable Bathtub Conversions at (516) 770-6130 or visit abcconversions.com. We'll assess your bathroom, prepare a HISA-formatted estimate, and answer any questions about the process. Serving all of Nassau and Suffolk County.
