38 CFR § 36.4404 - Eligibility for assistance.

§ 36.4404 Eligibility for assistance.

(a) Disability requirements.

(1) The 2101(a) grant is available to individuals with a service-connected disability who have been rated as being entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 for any of the following conditions:

(i) A permanent and total disability due to the loss, or loss of use, of both lower extremities so as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair;

(ii) A permanent disability due to blindness in both eyes having central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a standard correcting lens. For the purposes of this paragraph (a)(1)(ii), an eye with a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less;

(iii) A permanent and total disability due to the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity, together with—

(A) Residuals of organic disease or injury; or

(B) The loss or loss of use of one upper extremity, which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair;

(iv) A permanent and total disability due to the loss, or loss of use, of both upper extremities so as to preclude use of the arms at or above the elbows; or

(v) Any other permanent and total disability identified as eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C. 2101(a).

(2) The 2101(b) grant is available to individuals with permanent and total service-connected disability who have been rated as being entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 for any of the following conditions:

(i) Anatomical loss, or loss of use, of both hands; or

(ii) Any other injury identified as eligible for assistance under 38 U.S.C. 2101(b).

(3) The TRA grant is available to individuals with permanent and total service-connected disability who have been rated as being entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. chapter 11 for any of the conditions described under paragraph (a)(1) of this section for the 2101(a) grant or paragraph (a)(2) of this section for the 2101(b) grant.

(b) Feasibility and suitability requirements.

(1) In order for an individual to be eligible for 2101(a) grant assistance, the Secretary must determine that:

(i) It is medically feasible for the individual to reside outside of an institutional setting;

(ii) It is medically feasible for the individual to reside in the proposed housing unit and in the proposed locality;

(iii) The nature and condition of the proposed housing unit are suitable for the individual's residential living needs; and

(iv) The cost of the proposed housing unit bears a proper relation to the individual's present and anticipated income and expenses.

(2) In order for an individual to be eligible for 2101(b) grant assistance, the Secretary must determine that:

(i) The individual is residing in and reasonably intends to continue residing in a housing unit owned by the individual or a member of the individual's family; or

(ii) If the individual's housing unit is to be constructed or purchased, the individual will be residing in and reasonably intends to continue residing in a housing unit owned by the individual or a member of the individual's family.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2101, 2102, 2102A)
[75 FR 56876, Sept. 17, 2010, as amended at 86 FR 56216, Oct. 8, 2021]