VA COLA Increase 2025 – When Will Next Year’s Adjustment for Veterans Be Made?

VA COLA Increase 2025: Starting December 1, 2024, veterans who get disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will see their payments go up. The increase, which is 2.63%, comes from a recent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) announced by the Social Security Administration. This boost is meant to help veterans and their families manage the rising costs of living and inflation.

COLA Announcement

On July 18, 2024, the new COLA rate for 2025 was announced. While the exact increase will be confirmed around October 12, 2024, the new pay rates will start from December 1, 2024. Veterans can use the VA charts to estimate their future benefits based on their disability rating and dependent status. These charts help you get a good idea of your expected monthly payouts and ensure you’re getting the compensation you’re entitled to.

Disability Ratings

VA disability payments are based on your disability rating and whether you have any dependents. For example, if your disability rating is 10% and you have no dependents, you’ll receive $175.73 each month. If your rating is 20%, your monthly payment goes up to $347.39.

For disability ratings between 30% and 60%, the payment amounts vary more depending on if you have dependents. If you have a 30% rating and no dependents, you’ll get $538.10 a month. If you have a spouse, that amount increases to $601.73. The higher your disability rating, the more you’ll receive. For example, a veteran with a 60% rating and a spouse can expect to get $1,525.98 per month.

Higher Ratings

For veterans with higher disability ratings, from 70% to 100%, the monthly payments are significantly higher. A veteran with a 70% rating gets $1,761.42 each month. If the rating is 100%, the monthly payment increases to $3,836.16. If you have a spouse, the payments are even more, to account for the extra support families need.

Additional Support

The VA offers extra benefits to veterans whose spouses also get VA disability payments. This extra amount falls under the “Additional for A/A spouse” section. For veterans with children, there’s an increased rate in the “30% – 60% With Children” category. For example, a veteran with a 30% disability rating and one child can expect to receive $580.18 each month.

These rates are important for veterans and their families, providing vital financial help. To make sure you have the most up-to-date information, keep an eye out for announcements from the VA, especially since final figures will be confirmed on December 1, 2024.

FAQs