By law, the Department of Veterans Affairs annually increases the disability benefits it pays to veterans by a specific percentage. The VA recently announced the 2026 COLA increase for disability benefits. Veterans who receive disability benefits from the VA will see an increase in their monthly compensation next year. As a result, veterans approved for VA disability benefits should know what kind of increase to expect and understand how the increase may affect their financial situation.
What Is the 2026 COLA for VA Benefits?
Under federal law, the VA must increase veterans’ disability benefits checks by the same percentage that the Social Security Administration increases its retirement and disability benefits. The Social Security Administration recently announced a 2.8 percent increase in benefits for 2026. The Social Security Administration determines the annual COLA based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The VA applies the same COLA increase to the various types of disability benefits and payments it makes to veterans and their families, including dependency and indemnity compensation and special monthly compensation.
How Much More Will Veterans See?
The 2.8 percent increase in VA disability benefits will apply to all disability ratings, resulting in a uniform increase in benefit rates across the board. For example, a veteran with a 20 percent-rated disability who currently receives a monthly benefit of $346.95 will see their benefit increase in 2026 to $356.67, representing a $9.72 monthly increase. Veterans with a 60 percent disability rating who do not have any dependents will see their monthly benefit increase from $1,395.93 to $1,435.02. Veterans without dependents who receive benefits at the 100 percent disability rate will see an increase from $3,831.30 to $3,938.58.
Additional monthly compensation for each minor child of a veteran with a 100 percent disability rating, after their first child, will increase from $106.14 to $109.11, while compensation for each child over 18 in a qualifying school program will increase from $342.85 to $352.45. A spouse receiving aid and attendance for a veteran with a 100 percent rated disability will see a benefits increase of $195.92 to $201.40.
When Does the Increase Take Effect?
The new VA disability benefit rates will take effect on December 1, 2025, with increased payments beginning for checks sent after December 31, 2025. The rates will continue through the December 2026 monthly benefit payments.
What the COLA Increase Means for Veterans
Although Congress intends for the annual COLA for VA disability benefits to offset the adverse effects of inflation on veterans’ disability benefits, some veterans may find that the 2.8 percent increase for 2026 does not ensure that their benefits keep up with rising costs for housing, food, or healthcare. As a result, veterans should review their monthly budget to assess the effect of the increased disability benefits next year. Veterans may need to adjust items in their budgets if a 2.8 percent increase in benefits does not equal or exceed the increase in their living expenses.
Veterans should also review their benefits statements in January 2026 to ensure that the VA applies the 2.8 percent increase to their monthly checks. Veterans should also ensure that they receive the correct benefit amount based on their disability rating (including if they have an increase or decrease in their rating) and the dependents in their household.
Contact Our Firm Today for Guidance on VA Disability Benefits
When you have a service-connected disability, you may have the right to receive monthly financial benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact Veterans Law Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability lawyer to learn more about the 2026 increase for VA disability benefits and discuss what it may mean for your financial compensation next year.
