Veterans' COLA Adjustment Act

Summary#

This bill would raise the dollar rates paid for veterans' disability compensation and for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) to survivors. The increases would take effect on December 1, 2026. Each listed dollar amount in the relevant sections of Title 38 of the U.S. Code would be raised by the same percentage as the Social Security title II benefit increase that takes effect on the same date under section 215(i) of the Social Security Act. The bill also covers the clothing allowance and allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make related administrative adjustments for certain persons under Public Law 85-857. The Secretary must publish the new rates in the Federal Register by the same date Social Security publishes its adjustment.

What it means for you#

• Veterans receiving service-connected disability compensation would see their dollar rates increased effective December 1, 2026.
• Survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation would see their dollar rates increased on the same date.
• The increase for each listed payment is the same percentage used for Social Security benefit increases that take effect December 1, 2026.
• The VA will publish the adjusted amounts in the Federal Register when Social Security publishes its adjustment.

Expenses#

No publicly available information. The bill text does not include a cost estimate or total projected spending. It would increase benefit payments, but the bill does not state the dollar cost.

Proponents' View#

Supporters would say the bill aligns veterans' disability and survivor payments with the Social Security benefit increase that takes effect December 1, 2026, preserving the relative value of those payments.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.