Veterans receiving disability compensation, plus surviving spouses and children getting Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, would see their monthly payments increase on December 1, 2026 by the same percentage as the next Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The increase would also apply to additional payments for dependents and to the annual clothing allowance for veterans whose disability requires special clothing. VA would publish the new dollar amounts in the Federal Register at the same time Social Security publishes its adjustment. No changes are made to eligibility rules or other VA programs.
Average Household Impact
- Disabled veterans — Monthly compensation rises with Social Security COLA on Dec 1, 2026
- Surviving spouses and children — DIC payments rise with Social Security COLA
Congressional Summary
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2026. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register.The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-05-11
- Date Added
- 2026-05-19
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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