2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates and Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law
The 2026 VA COLA increase was 2.8%. This affects monthly disability compensation payments, dependent adjustments, SMC, DIC, and other compensation.
On October 24, 2025, the Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for 2026, directly impacting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation, TDIU benefits, Survivor Benefits (DIC), Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) payments, and more.
This comprehensive guide covers exactly how the 2026 COLA increase affects veterans, when payments begin, and what changes to expect for veterans’ actual purchasing power.
Learn more about how and why VA compensates veterans for disabilities.
Quick Facts: 2026 VA COLA Increase
- Percentage increase: 2.8%
- Effective date: December 1, 2025
- First payment: December 31, 2025
- Applies to: VA disability compensation, TDIU, SMC, DIC, and most VA benefits
- How to apply: Automatic for existing benefits; no further action required from veterans
2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates (After 2.8% COLA Increase)
The following table shows monthly compensation amounts before and after the 2026 COLA increase:
Single Veterans (No Dependents)
| Disability Rating | 2025 Monthly Payment | 2026 Monthly Payment | Monthly Increase |
| 10% | $175.51 | $180.42 | $4.91 |
| 20% | $346.95 | $356.66 | $9.71 |
| 30% | $537.42 | $552.47 | $15.05 |
| 40% | $774.16 | $795.84 | $21.68 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,132.90 | $30.86 |
| 60% | $1,395.93 | $1,435.02 | $39.09 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,808.45 | $49.26 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 | $2,102.15 | $57.26 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 | $2,362.30 | $64.34 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $3,938.58 | $107.28 |
Veterans with dependents (eligible children, spouses, and parents) can use the following infographic to calculate their 2026 VA disability compensation with COLA.
Special VA Benefits and COLA Adjustments
- TDIU and COLA: Veterans receiving TDIU see their monthly payment increase exactly the same as all veterans receiving compensation at the 100 percent rate.
- SMC and COLA: All SMC categories receive the same COLA adjustment. View our SMC COLA blog to learn more.
- DIC and COLA: Surviving spouses receiving DIC benefits will see their monthly payments increase with COLA. View CCK Law’s DIC COLA blog to learn more.
When Will Veterans Receive the 2026 COLA Increase?
First Increased Payment Date: December 31, 2025
VA disability payments are scheduled for the first business day of the month, but if that falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payments are instead sent on the last business day of the previous month. Therefore, the first VA payment reflecting the new COLA amount will be on December 31, 2025.
2026 VA Payment Schedule
View CCK Law’s 2026 VA Payment Schedule blog to learn more.
| Month of Payment | Day of the Week | Payment Date |
| January 2026 | Friday | January 30, 2026 |
| February 2026 | Friday | February 27, 2026 |
| March 2026 | Wednesday | April 1, 2026 |
| April 2026 | Friday | May 1, 2026 |
| May 2026 | Monday | June 1, 2026 |
| June 2026 | Wednesday | July 1, 2026 |
| July 2026 | Friday | July 31, 2026 |
| August 2026 | Tuesday | September 1, 2026 |
| September 2026 | Thursday | October 1, 2026 |
| October 2026 | Friday | October 30, 2026 |
| November 2026 | Tuesday | December 1, 2026 |
| December 2026 | Thursday | December 31, 2026 |
Did You Know? Surprising Facts about COLA
Actual Purchasing Power Change for Veterans: 2016-2026
The federal government’s intent for COLA is to allow benefit compensation to keep pace with the changing costs of goods and services. How is the government doing? One way to answer this complex question is by comparing the annual COLA and inflation rates.
| Year | COLA Percentage | Annual Inflation Rate | Actual Purchasing Power? |
| 2016 | 0.3% | 1.3% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 2.0% | 2.1% | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 2.8% | 2.4% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 1.6% | 1.8% | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 1.3% | 1.2% | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 5.9% | 4.7% | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 8.7% | 8.0% | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 3.2% | 4.1% | -0.9% |
| 2024 | 2.5% | 2.9% | -0.4% |
How Does COLA Affect Retroactive Awards (Back Pay)?
Important: COLA adjustments apply to retroactive awards based on the year the benefit was earned, not when it’s paid.
Example: If you receive back pay for 2024 and 2025:
- 2024 portions use 2024 rates
- 2025 portions use 2025 rates
- Future payments use 2026 rates
VA’s computer systems automatically calculate these adjustments, ensuring veterans receive the correct historical rates for each period.
How Does COLA Impact Veterans with Other Federal Benefits?
- VA Compensation & Social Security: Social Security announced a 2.8% COLA increase for 2026, meaning veterans receiving both VA disability and Social Security benefits will see increases in both payments. One difference: Social Security COLA technically takes effect January 2026, while VA COLA begins December 2025.
- VA Compensation & Military Retirement: Veterans with Concurrent Receipt (CRSC) or Combat-Related Special Compensation should expect both benefits to increase accordingly.
How Is the VA COLA Calculated?
The Social Security Administration calculates COLA using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W):
- Baseline period: Third quarter of the previous year (July-September 2024)
- Q3 2024 CPI-W: 308.729
- Comparison period: Third quarter of the current year (July-September 2025)
- Q3 2025 CPI-W: 317.265
- Formula: [(Current quarter CPI-W – Previous quarter CPI-W) ÷ Previous quarter CPI-W] × 100
- Increase: 2.80% (rounded to 2.8%)
VA then applies the SSA COLA to veteran compensation.
What If the VA COLA Increase Isn’t Enough?
Disabled veterans facing financial hardship despite COLA increases have several options:
Appeals and Ratings Increases
Veterans may qualify for higher disability ratings through:
- Supplemental claims: New evidence for existing conditions
- Appeals: Challenging previous decisions
- Secondary conditions: New disabilities caused by service-connected conditions
Additional VA Benefits to Explore
- Aid and Attendance (A&A): Higher monthly compensation for qualifying veterans
- Housebound benefits: Additional compensation for homebound veterans
- Vocational rehabilitation: Education and job training benefits
- Clothing allowance: Annual payment for veterans using prosthetics
State Veterans Benefits
Many states offer additional benefits that supplement federal VA compensation:
- Property tax exemptions
- State disability compensation
- Emergency financial assistance
- Housing programs
Other Issues and Solutions Related to COLA
Delayed Payments
Most common causes:
- Bank processing delays
- Address changes are not updated with VA
- Direct deposit information changes
Solution: Contact VA at 1-800-827-1000 or check payment status at VA.gov.
Incorrect Payment Amounts
If your December payment doesn’t reflect the COLA increase:
- Wait 2-3 business days (processing delays are common)
- Check your disability rating at VA.gov
- Contact VA customer service
- File a formal complaint if necessary
Missing Dependent Payments
Veterans who recently added dependents should verify their information is updated in VA systems before December 1, 2025.
Beyond COLA: What Else to Expect for VA Compensation in 2026 and 2027
Potential Additional Changes
Beyond COLA, several factors may affect VA benefits in 2026, based on the proposed VA budget and other legislative proposals:
- Healthcare expansion: Possible increases coming in medical benefits and coverage
- Caregiver program changes: Expanded eligibility for caregiver support
- Housing assistance: Updates to VA home loan programs
- Technology improvements: Enhanced online services and mobile apps
2027 COLA Preview
Early economic indicators suggest the 2027 COLA may be similar to 2026’s adjustment, assuming inflation stabilizes. However, the final calculation won’t be available until October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2026 VA Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
When Does the 2026 VA COLA Go into Effect?
The 2026 VA COLA takes effect December 1, 2025, with the first increased payment deposited on December 31, 2025.
Does COLA Apply to VA TDIU Benefits?
Yes, TDIU benefits receive the same COLA increase as all other eligible forms of VA disability compensation.
What Are the VA Payment Dates in 2026?
VA disability compensation is paid on the first business day of each month, unless that is a federal holiday, in which case the monthly payment is sent on the last business day of the previous month. See the exact dates on CCK Law’s VA Payment Schedule page.
Do Veterans Need to Apply for the COLA Increase?
No. The COLA increase is automatic for all eligible VA benefits the veteran is currently receiving. Veterans don’t need to take any action to receive the increased payments.
How Does COLA Affect Veterans Receiving Both VA Disability Compensation and Social Security?
Veterans receiving both benefits will see increases in both programs, but at different times. VA disability increases begin December 1, 2025, while Social Security COLA takes effect January 2026.
Conclusion
The 2026 VA COLA increase provides small but meaningful financial relief for veterans and their families, with the first increased payments being sent on December 31, 2025. While this increase helps offset inflation, veterans should explore additional benefits and resources to maximize their financial security.
Veterans experiencing payment issues or questions about their benefits should contact VA at 1-(800) 827-1000 or visit VA.gov for personalized assistance. Veterans who disagree with a VA decision should contact CCK Law at (800) 544-9144 or online for a free case evaluation.
