If you receive VA disability compensation, your monthly 2026 VA disability rates will rise by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment).
By law, VA is required to match the Social Security COLA so your purchasing power keeps pace with inflation. That adjustment becomes effective December 1, 2025 and first appears in the January 2026 payment.
As of early September 2025, analysts expect the 2026 COLA to be in the ~2.4% to 2.7% range.
A widely cited estimate pegs it at ~2.7%, while some trackers still see a slightly lower ~2.4%. The exact percentage will be set this October when Social Security announces the official COLA.
What drives the 2026 increase?
- Tied to Social Security COLA: VA’s annual increase is legally linked to the Social Security adjustment based on third-quarter CPI-W inflation. Whatever Social Security’s COLA is, VA applies the same percentage to disability compensation, DIC, clothing allowance—and SMC amounts.
- Timing: The new rates are effective December 1, 2025, and you’ll see the higher amount with your January 2026 payment (paid on the schedule explained below).
- Projection band: Using a midpoint projection of 2.6% keeps expectations realistic while acknowledging the published range (about 2.4%–2.7%).
Who is eligible for VA disability pay?
You may qualify for tax-free VA disability compensation if you:
- Have a current physical or mental condition that was caused or aggravated by service (active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training), and
- Received a qualifying discharge status (other-than-honorable or worse may require a discharge upgrade/Character of Service review).
Key points veterans ask about:
- Combined ratings (“VA math”): If you have multiple service-connected conditions, VA uses the Combined Ratings Table to calculate one combined rating; you don’t simply add percentages.
- Dependents: If your combined rating is 30% or higher, you may receive added amounts for eligible dependents (spouse/children/parents).
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Certain severe disabilities or situations (e.g., Aid & Attendance) can qualify you for SMC, which also adjusts with COLA.
How your 2026 monthly amount is calculated
Your base rate depends on your combined disability rating (10% to 100%) and dependent status.
VA then applies the COLA percentage to last year’s (2025) amounts to set the 2026 VA disability rates. Below are illustrative projections using a 2.6% COLA midpoint.
Actual amounts will be finalized after the official COLA is announced in October.
2025 base rates used for projection
VA’s current (2025) tables—effective December 1, 2024—list the monthly payment for each rating and dependency scenario (examples below).
Projected 2026 VA Disability Pay (using a 2.6% COLA midpoint)
How to read this table:
“2025 monthly” are the current base amounts. “Projected 2026” applies a 2.6% increase. “Change” shows the dollar increase. Your actual 2026 rate will track the final COLA.
| Rating & Status | 2025 monthly | Projected 2026 (2.6%) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% (Veteran alone) | $175.51 | $180.07 | $4.56 |
| 20% (Veteran alone) | $346.95 | $355.97 | $9.02 |
| 30% (Veteran alone) | $537.42 | $551.39 | $13.97 |
| 50% (Veteran alone) | $1,102.04 | $1,130.69 | $28.65 |
| 70% (Veteran alone) | $1,759.19 | $1,804.93 | $45.74 |
| 90% (Veteran alone) | $2,297.96 | $2,357.71 | $59.75 |
| 100% (Veteran alone) | $3,831.30 | $3,930.91 | $99.61 |
| 100% (With spouse, no children) | $4,044.91 | $4,150.08 | $105.17 |
| 100% (With spouse + 1 child) | $4,201.35 | $4,310.59 | $109.24 |
Base values and dependent scenarios come from VA’s 2025 rate tables (effective Dec 1, 2024). Projected 2026 amounts will change if the final COLA differs from 2.6%.
Projected “added amounts” for common situations (2.6% midpoint)
| Added amount (rating) | 2025 monthly | Projected 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Each additional child under 18 (at 100%) | $106.14 | $108.90 | $2.76 |
| Each additional child 18+ in school (at 100%) | $342.85 | $351.76 | $8.91 |
| Spouse receiving Aid & Attendance (at 100%) | $195.92 | $201.01 | $5.09 |
| Each additional child under 18 (30%) | $31.00 | $31.81 | $0.81 |
| Each additional child under 18 (40%) | $42.00 | $43.09 | $1.09 |
| Each additional child under 18 (50%) | $53.00 | $54.38 | $1.38 |
| Each additional child under 18 (60%) | $63.00 | $64.64 | $1.64 |
These are examples drawn from VA’s 2025 “added amounts” tables and scaled by 2.6%. If your spouse gets Aid & Attendance or you have multiple children, add those amounts to your basic rate for your rating/dependency line.
2026 VA disability payment dates
Rule of thumb: VA pays on the first business day of the month for the prior month’s benefit. If the 1st is a weekend or federal holiday, payment moves to the previous business day.
Using the official 2026 federal holiday schedule, here are the dates your payments should arrive in calendar year 2026:
| Month you’re paid (2026) | Payment date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | Friday, January 30, 2026 | Fri |
| February | Friday, February 27, 2026 | Fri |
| March | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Wed |
| April | Friday, May 1, 2026 | Fri |
| May | Monday, June 1, 2026 | Mon |
| June | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | Wed |
| July | Friday, July 31, 2026 | Fri |
| August | Tuesday, September 1, 2026 | Tue |
| September | Thursday, October 1, 2026 | Thu |
| October | Friday, October 30, 2026 | Fri |
| November | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | Tue |
| December | Thursday, December 31, 2026 | Thu |
Notes to avoid confusion
• The January 30 and February 27 payments occur because Feb 1 and Mar 1 fall on non-business days.
• The December 31 payment occurs because Jan 1, 2027 is a federal holiday.
Practical steps to maximize your 2026 pay
- Keep your dependents updated: If you hit 30% or higher, make sure VA has your current marital status and children in school to ensure you receive added amounts.
- Understand “VA math”: If you file for new conditions or an increase, know that combined ratings use VA’s table (not straight addition), which may affect where you land in the 10%–100% schedule.
- Watch for SMC eligibility: Certain severe disabilities or need for Aid & Attendance can add SMC on top of your main rate.
- Direct deposit: Ensure your direct deposit details are current so you receive funds on the exact payment date listed above. (You can also view your VA payment history online when signed in.)
Your 2026 VA disability compensation will rise by the same percentage Social Security announces for its COLA, expected to land in the ~2.4%–2.7% band.
We modeled a 2.6% midpoint to show realistic projected 2026 VA disability rates for common ratings and dependency scenarios.
Remember: the effective date is December 1, 2025, with the increase showing up in the January 2026 payment.
Review your dependent status, consider whether you may qualify for SMC/Aid & Attendance, and keep your details updated so you receive every dollar you’ve earned—on the exact 2026 payment dates listed above.
Frequently asked questions
The official percentage comes with Social Security’s COLA announcement in October 2025. VA applies the same percent, effective December 1, 2025, and you’ll first see it in your January 2026 payment.
Yes. Dependents’ added amounts (available at 30%+ ratings) and SMC are adjusted by the same COLA percentage, because VA increases are tied to Social Security COLA each year.
A new or increased combined rating changes your basic rate going forward (and sometimes results in retroactive pay back to your effective date). The COLA applies on top of whatever your current rating is at the time.