Serving Veterans Across North Central Florida

Suwannee Sunshine Services provides professional bathroom remodel estimates and scopes of work that Veterans and homeowners may use as part of the VA grant review process for accessibility-related upgrades.

We are a local, licensed, and insured Florida contractor serving Lake City, Gainesville, and surrounding North Central Florida communities.

Bathroom remodel with a double vanity and vessel sinks.

Common Bathroom Modifications We Design & Build

While every project is unique, our bathroom accessibility work often includes:

• Walk-in or roll-in shower conversions

• Barrier-free shower entries

• Built-in shower seating

• Strategically placed grab bars

• Adjusted fixture heights

• Improved bathroom layouts for maneuverability

• Moisture-safe, slip-resistant flooring

All work is performed with durability, safety, and long-term usability in mind.

Veteran Affairs Locations

Lake City VA Medical Center

619 South Marion Avenue
Lake City, FL 32025-5808

Main phone: 386-755-3016

Lake City VA Medical Center

619 South Marion Avenue
Lake City, FL 32025-5808

Main phone: 386-755-3016

Contractor Documentation & Accessible Bathroom Remodeling for Veterans

At Suwannee Sunshine Services, we provide licensed, insured bathroom remodeling services that support Veterans who may be pursuing accessibility-related home modifications through the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Our role is simple and transparent:
we design and estimate accessible bathroom modifications and provide the construction documentation Veterans may need to submit to the VA for consideration.

What Is the VA HISA Benefit?

The VA Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit helps eligible Veterans make medically necessary modifications to their primary residence—whether owned or rented—to improve safety, access, and daily function.

Common HISA-supported improvements include:

• Roll-in or walk-in showers

• Safer access to lavatory and bathing areas

• Improved bathroom layouts for mobility devices

• Plumbing or electrical updates related to medical needs

All HISA approvals, funding determinations, and medical justifications are handled directly by the VA.

How Suwannee Sunshine Services Supports the Process

We do not determine eligibility or approve benefits.
Instead, we serve as the contractor resource Veterans can rely on for accurate, professional project documentation.

What We Do Not Do (Important)

To maintain clarity and legal compliance:

• We do not guarantee VA or HISA approval

• We do not submit applications on a Veteran’s behalf

• We do not determine medical necessity

• We do not represent or act for the VA

Veterans work directly with the VA Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service for all benefit decisions.

Our role is limited to construction services and documentation support only.

Our Commitment to Veterans

We believe Veterans deserve:

• Clear communication

• Honest expectations

• Quality workmanship

• Respect for the VA process

Our goal is to make the contractor side of accessibility remodeling straightforward, organized, and stress-free—so Veterans can focus on their healthcare and benefits coordination.

Request a Bathroom Accessibility Estimate

If you are a Veteran—or assisting a Veteran—who may be exploring bathroom accessibility modifications, we can help by:

• Evaluating your space

• Creating a detailed Scope of Work

• Providing a written estimate and contractor documentation

📞 Contact us today to schedule an on-site consultation.
There is no obligation, and no commitment required to proceed.

Legal Disclaimer

Suwannee Sunshine Services is an independent, licensed general contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. All VA benefit eligibility, medical determinations, and funding approvals are made solely by the VA.

The Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) program is a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help veterans and service members with disabilities make medically necessary modifications to their primary residences.

Grant Amounts

HISA is a lifetime benefit with varying maximum amounts based on disability status for 2026. Veterans with a service-connected disability or a non-service-connected disability rated at 50% or higher may receive up to $6,800. All other veterans with non-service-connected disabilities may receive up to $2,000.

Covered Improvements

The grant covers medically necessary alterations like installing wheelchair ramps, widening doorways, improving driveways for better entry, roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, grab bars, lowering counters and sinks, and upgrading electrical or plumbing systems to support essential medical equipment. It does not cover cosmetic upgrades, exterior decking, hot tubs, home security systems, or routine repairs.

Application Process

Eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care must obtain a prescription from a VA physician detailing the medical necessity and project. The application requires completing VA Form 10-0103, submitting an itemized contractor estimate, providing a notarized statement from the property owner if renting, and including a pre-work photograph of the area to be modified.

For more details, contact the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at your local VA Medical Center using the VA Facility Locator.

SHA/SHA

(Specially Adaptive Housing/Special Home Adaptation)

HISA

Home Improvement and Structural Alterations

To get a VA grant for a bathroom remodel in Florida under SAH/SHA, you must have a severe, service-connected disability,

apply using VA Form 26-4555, provide a VA physician's prescription with medical justification, and submit it online or to a VA Regional Office for review, potentially including construction plans and cost estimates for the bathroom adaptations.

Eligibility & Requirements

• Disability: Must have a severe service-connected disability (e.g., loss of use of limbs, blindness) that makes your home non-adaptable.

• Home: Must be your permanent residence, or you plan to buy/build one.

• Form: Complete VA Form 26-4555, "Application for VA Special Housing Adaptation Grant".

• Medical Documentation: A prescription from a VA doctor detailing your diagnosis and the necessity of the bathroom modification (e.g., roll-in shower).

• Plans & Costs: Construction plans and detailed cost estimates for labor, materials, permits, etc..

Application Steps

1. Gather Documents: Get your DD-214, medical records, proof of home ownership (or intent to buy), and construction plans/estimates.

2. Get a Prescription: Visit a VA physician to get a medical prescription for the specific bathroom modifications needed.

3. Complete VA Form 26-4555: Fill out the application for SAH/SHA grants.

4. Submit Application: Apply online via VA.gov or submit the form and supporting documents (prescription, plans, estimates) to your local VA Regional Office.

5. Await VA Review: A VA agent will be assigned to guide you through the process after submission.

Key Differences (SAH vs. SHA)

• SAH (Specially Adapted Housing): For the most severe disabilities (loss of limbs, blindness), with higher grant amounts for buying/building/remodeling your primary home.

• SHA (Special Home Adaptation): For other qualifying disabilities to adapt a home you or a family member owns/will own, with lower maximum grant amounts.

What about HISA?

• The Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant is for medically necessary accessibility improvements (like bathroom access) for any service-connected or non-service-connected disability, with lower limits than SAH/SHA, and requires a VA physician's prescription and Form 10-0103.

The VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant provides funding for disabled veterans to make medically necessary changes, like accessible bathroom remodels (roll-in showers, grab bars, lowered sinks) or ramps, to their primary residence, with amounts up to $6,800 for service-connected conditions and $2,000 for others, requiring a VA doctor's prescription and application through the VA Prosthetics department.

What HISA Covers:

• Bathroom Access: Roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, raised toilets, grab bars, lowered counters/sinks.

• Entryways: Permanent ramps, widening doorways for wheelchair access.

• Other Systems: Electrical or plumbing upgrades for necessary medical equipment.

What HISA Does NOT Cover:

• Routine repairs or cosmetic upgrades.

• Spas, hot tubs, or exterior decking.

• Removable equipment (grab bars can be covered if permanently installed).

How to Apply:

1. Get a Medical Prescription: Have a VA doctor (or fee-basis physician) write a prescription detailing the medically necessary modifications, as detailed on VA.gov.

2. Complete VA Form 10-0103: This is the HISA application form available on VA.gov.

3. Submit Documentation: Provide proof of ownership/rental agreement (with landlord permission if renting) and contractor bids.

4. Await Approval: Submit everything to the VA Prosthetics department for review and authorization before starting work.

Grant Amounts:

• Up to $6,800: For veterans with service-connected disabilities.

• Up to $2,000: For veterans with non-service-connected conditions, registered in VA health care.

What We Provide

• Free in-home bathroom assessments

• Written estimates with clear scopes of work (SOW)

• Accessibility-focused remodel planning

• Photo documentation (when requested)

• Licensed & insured Florida contractor services

Important Disclosure
Suwannee Sunshine Services is a private contractor. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not submit applications, approve funding, or guarantee grant eligibility or approval.

How the Estimate Process Works

1. Contact us regarding your bathroom accessibility needs

2. We schedule a required in-home visit to measure and review conditions

3. We prepare a written estimate and scope of work

4. You submit the estimate to the VA or your authorized representative

5. If approved, you may choose to proceed with construction
   

All grant decisions, eligibility determinations, and funding timelines are controlled solely by the VA.

For a free estimate or any inquiries, please get in touch with us.