If you’re a North Dakota homeowner aged 62 or older with very-low income, you qualify for USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants up to $10,000 to fix health and safety hazards like faulty wiring or add accessibility ramps.
You apply year-round through your local Rural Development office after checking property eligibility. But grants require repayment if you sell within three years—what’s your next step?
Key Takeaways
- USDA Section 504 offers home repair grants up to $10,000 for North Dakota elderly homeowners aged 62+.
- Eligibility requires very-low income, rural property ownership, and inability to get affordable credit.
- Grants target health/safety hazards like faulty wiring, plumbing, roofing, and accessibility ramps.
- Loans up to $40,000 at 1% interest over 20 years can combine with grants.
- Apply year-round via local USDA Rural Development offices with income/ownership proof.
What Are ND Section 504 Home Repair Grants?
If you’re a North Dakota homeowner aged 62 or older with a very-low household income, you can access Section 504 Home Repair Grants offering up to $10,000 to remove health and safety hazards from your home, a benefit also available to qualifying former military members and their families.
These grants, administered by the USDA Rural Housing Service, don’t require repayment unless you sell your property within three years, and you may combine this assistance with other benefits like SNAP for comprehensive household stability.
Unlike loans that fund modernization projects, grants specifically target essential repairs—such as fixing faulty wiring, winterizing drafty houses, or installing accessibility features like wheelchair ramps for household members with disabilities.
Your grant application process begins through your local Rural Development office, where staff can help you understand income requirements and determine eligibility for this home repair assistance program.
ND County Income Limits and Eligibility Rules
Your household income mustn’t exceed the very low limit for your North Dakota county to qualify for home repair grants.
Check specific county income thresholds on the USDA Eligibility Site, as they vary by location and household size.
You verify eligibility by confirming you own and occupy the home, can’t get affordable credit elsewhere, and—for grants—are 62 or older with no loan repayment ability.
County Income Thresholds
Each North Dakota county sets its own income threshold for home repair grants, based on very low-income limits that cap household income at 50% of the area median income.
You’ll find county variations in these limits, so check your specific county using the USDA’s online Eligibility Site.
To qualify for Section 504 grants, you must be 62 or older and unable to repay a repair loan.
Provide income documentation to verify your household meets the threshold. This guarantees you comply with program rules tailored to your area’s median income.
Very Low Limits
North Dakota’s home repair grant programs use very low-income limits as the primary eligibility threshold, with these limits varying by county based on area median income.
You qualify if you’re age 62 or older, your household income doesn’t exceed your county’s very low income limit, you occupy the home as your primary residence, and you can’t get affordable credit elsewhere.
Use the USDA Eligibility Site to verify your county’s specific limits and qualifying criteria.
You’ll receive grants up to $10,000 lifetime—or $15,000 in disaster areas—to remove health and safety hazards.
Eligibility Verification Rules
Eligibility verification rules require you to prove you’re at least 62 years old, your household income doesn’t exceed 50% of your county’s median income (the very low limit set by USDA), and you can’t get affordable credit elsewhere.
During your grant application, you’ll submit income verification documents to confirm your household earnings fall within your county’s limits.
You must also demonstrate that you’re the legal homeowner and occupy the property as your primary residence.
Additionally, you’ll need to show that the repairs address health and safety hazards rather than cosmetic upgrades.
These verification steps guarantee grants reach eligible households who genuinely need assistance and meet all program requirements.
ND Section 504 Loan and Grant Amounts
The Section 504 Home Repair program offers substantial financial assistance to very-low-income homeowners in North Dakota, with loan amounts reaching $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for eligible applicants.
You access loan options to repair, improve, or modernize your home, repaid over 20 years at a fixed 1% interest rate.
Grant benefits target elderly homeowners (62+) for removing health and safety hazards, with a lifetime limit of $10,000—or $15,000 in disaster areas.
Combine loans and grants for up to $50,000 total ($55,000 in disasters). Approval times vary by local funding availability.
Health, Safety, and Modernization Repairs Covered
You use Section 504 grants to remove health hazards like faulty plumbing, wiring, or roofing that threaten your safety as an elderly very-low-income homeowner.
You’ll also upgrade safety features such as ramps or grab bars to make your home accessible and secure.
Combine loans and grants up to $50,000 for broader modernization while ensuring your dwelling stays decent, safe, and sanitary.
Health Hazard Removal
You’ll need to demonstrate you can’t afford to repay a repair loan and meet your county’s income criteria.
Here’s what this grant covers:
- Eliminating dangerous mold that threatens your respiratory health
- Repairing roof leaks preventing water damage and structural decay
- Fixing electrical hazards reducing fire risks in your home
- Addressing plumbing failures ensuring safe water access
Safety Feature Upgrades
If you’re 62 or older and qualify as very-low-income, you can access up to $10,000 in grant funding ($15,000 in presidentially declared disaster areas) without repayment obligations.
These grants target home safety upgrades that eliminate urgent hazards and maintain habitability. Eligible repairs include electrical rewiring, plumbing system improvements, foundation repairs, and accessibility modifications like grab bars and ramps.
You can’t use funds for cosmetic upgrades; instead, focus on structural safety concerns and health hazard removal. Your grant applications must demonstrate inability to obtain affordable credit elsewhere and verify household income meets very-low limits for your county.
Contact your local Rural Development office to begin the application process and discuss your specific repair needs.
How to Check ND Property Eligibility?
Before applying for North Dakota home repair grants, you’ll need to verify several eligibility requirements to guarantee your property and household qualify. The process involves checking multiple property criteria and eligibility requirements systematically.
- Visit the USDA Eligibility Site to confirm your property’s rural area status—this foundational step determines basic program access.
- Verify your household income doesn’t exceed your county’s very low-income limit, as financial thresholds directly impact grant approval.
- Confirm owner-occupied status with property ownership documentation, ensuring only your primary residence qualifies.
- Demonstrate you’re at least 62 years old and can’t obtain affordable credit elsewhere, meeting age and credit accessibility requirements.
Gather income verification and ownership proof beforehand to streamline your eligibility assessment and accelerate the application process.
Documents You’ll Need to Apply
Applying for North Dakota home repair grants requires submitting specific documentation to verify your eligibility and financial situation.
You’ll need required forms like Form RD 410-4, the Uniform Residential Loan Application, Form RD 3550-1, the Request for Information, and Form RD 3550-4, the Employment and Asset Certification.
Gather all items on the application checklist in Attachment 12-E for a complete package. Documentation may vary by your circumstances, so prepare extra info as requested.
You’re typically eligible for grants if you’re age 62 or older and unable to repay a repair loan.
Contact your local Rural Development office to start.
Your Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Gather docs—submit RD 410-4 and RD 3550-4 to prove ownership and finances, easing your burden.
- Apply year-round at local RD offices, turning desperation into hope.
- Detail hazards—specify repairs to maximize aid, restoring your safe haven.
- Note repayment—repay if selling within three years, safeguarding future families’ dreams.
1% Loans: 20-Year Terms and Repayment
Section 504 loans feature three key advantages: a 1% fixed interest rate, a 20-year repayment term, and a maximum of $40,000 per loan. You repay through affordable loan repayment schedules tailored to your very-low income, making fixes feasible without strain. You’ll provide full title service if your outstanding balance tops $25,000, protecting the program’s investment. As for homeowner responsibilities, you maintain steady payments over 20 years; funding availability affects approval speed, so apply early. Note grants require repayment if you sell within three years, but loans focus solely on your long-term loan repayment commitment.[99 words]
ND Grants for Homeowners 62
Two grant programs specifically serve North Dakota homeowners aged 62 and older who need critical home repairs. The Section 504 Home Repair program offers you up to $10,000 in grants for health and safety hazards. Your grant application process happens year-round through local Rural Development offices.
You’ll find homeowner resources that include:
- Maximum $10,000 grants to eliminate dangerous conditions threatening your family’s wellbeing
- Combined loan-grant packages reaching $50,000 for comprehensive repairs
- Fixed 1% loan rates if you need additional funding beyond grants
- Three-year repayment protection ensuring stability in your home
You must demonstrate household income below 50% of your county’s median to qualify.
ND Funding and Approval Timeline
When you apply for Section 504 grants in North Dakota, you’ll find that funding availability varies by area, which can affect both approval timelines and your access to assistance.
You’ll submit your application year-round through your local Rural Development office, but the processing speed depends on current funding levels in your region and the volume of pending requests.
Understanding these variables helps you plan ahead and set realistic expectations for when you might receive approval and funding for your home repairs.
Funding Availability and Waitlists
- Face agonizing uncertainty as waitlists stretch due to limited funding sources.
- Endure delayed relief when approvals lag behind exhausted regional pots.
- Risk repayment shocks if you sell within three years of grant receipt.
- Boost your odds with smart application strategies, starting with informal prequalification.
Application Processing Timeline
Understanding how long you’ll wait for approval helps you plan your home repairs strategically. Approval times depend on funding availability in your area, which varies based on application volume and local resources.
You’re encouraged to complete an informal prequalification process before submitting your formal application for application tips. This step helps you understand your eligibility and strengthens your submission.
Contact your local Rural Development office for current funding updates and expected processing timelines. They’ll provide specific estimates based on current demand in your region.
Early submission can help you navigate potential delays, though approval speed ultimately depends on your area’s available funding and staffing capacity.
Contact ND Rural Development Offices
To apply for the Section 504 Home Repair program, you’ll want to contact your local USDA Rural Development office, which can guide you through the application process and explain eligibility requirements.
Don’t delay—reach out today for application assistance and eligibility criteria:
- Visit the Minot Area Office at 1920 13th Street Southeast, Minot, ND, to secure essential home repair loans and grants.
- Call 800-765-9476 ext. 4—feel the relief of expert guidance on forms like RD 410-4 and RD 3550-1.
- Stop by Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM CST, before funding runs low.
- Transform your unsafe home into a secure haven—start now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Money to Make Home Repairs?
Apply for Section 504 Home Repair program’s loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000. You’re eligible if very-low-income in rural areas; contact your local USDA Rural Development office year-round for home repair resources and financial assistance.
What Is the 504 Home Repair Program?
The Section 504 Home Repair program assists homeowners who face financial constraints by providing loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000. You’ll benefit from a fixed 1% interest rate over 20 years, provided you meet 504 eligibility criteria: own your rural home, earn below 50% area median income, and demonstrate inability to secure conventional financing.
What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Fix Your House?
Apply for Section 504 Home Repair program’s home repair loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 if you’re a very-low-income homeowner. You’re eligible if you can’t get credit elsewhere; those 62+ get priority financial assistance. Contact your local Rural Development office.
What Is the Federal Way Home Repair Program?
Imagine your home’s urgent fixes funded effortlessly. You’ll access the Federal Way Home Repair Program‘s federal assistance for home improvement—up to $20,000 grants/loans if you’re a low-income owner-occupant under 80% AMI.
Conclusion
You’re eligible for up to $27,500 in combined Section 504 assistance if you’re 62 or older with very-low income in a rural area. With household income below 50% of your area’s median, you can secure grants covering critical repairs—roof replacement, electrical rewiring, accessibility modifications—without repayment if you can’t afford a loan. The USDA processed thousands of applications last year, helping seniors nationwide reclaim safe, dignified homes. Don’t delay; contact your local Rural Development office today to transform your living situation.