A bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate on May 11 would raise Veterans Affairs disability compensation by 2.8 percent — the same cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) Social Security recipients are already getting this year. For most veterans, the money shows up in January 2027.
The legislation, S. 4487, was brought by Senators Jerry Moran of Kansas and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. It’s picked up 15 co-sponsors and is currently sitting in the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
VA compensations: the numbers, rating by rating
The increase isn’t an estimate. It comes straight from applying the 2.8% CPI-W adjustment to the VA’s published base compensation tables. Here’s what it looks like by rating for veterans with no dependents:
- 10%: goes from $175.50 to $180.41 — about $4.91 more each month
- 30%: from $508.05 to $522.28 — an extra $14.23
- 50%: from $1,075.16 to $1,105.26 — a gain of $30.10
- 70%: from $1,716.28 to $1,764.34 — up $48.06
- 100%: from $3,821.42 to $3,928.42 — roughly $107 more per month
Veterans with dependents see a bigger bump. A veteran rated 100% with a spouse and one child would gain more than $120 monthly. Those carrying a spouse, children, and a dependent parent could see $150 or more added to their payment. Special Monthly Compensation recipients and those receiving clothing allowances get the 2.8% lift as well.
Surviving spouses collecting Dependency and Indemnity Compensation aren’t left out. A DIC recipient currently receiving around $1,600 a month would see roughly $45 more.
TDIU recipients are included
Veterans who aren’t rated 100% on the schedular scale but qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability also get the adjustment — their payment goes up to the 100% rate plus the 2.8% increase.
The VA applies approved COLAs automatically. No claim, no application, nothing to file. The adjustment takes effect December 1, 2026, and will show up in January 2027 payments.
That said, it’s worth logging into VA.gov before December to make sure your dependent information is current. Small discrepancies in dependent records can affect the final adjusted figure.
“Disabled veterans rely on these annual adjustments to keep pace with rising costs,” said Tammy Barlet, National Legislative Director for Disabled American Veterans, in a statement released May 12.
| Disability Rating | Veteran Alone | With Spouse Only | With Spouse + 1 Child | Each Additional Child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | — | — |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | — | — |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $660.47 | $43.00 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $883.30 | $941.30 | $58.00 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,242.48 | $1,316.48 | $74.00 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.73 | $1,656.73 | $90.00 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $2,067.45 | $106.00 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $2,399.15 | $122.00 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.34 | $2,697.34 | $138.00 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $4,318.99 | $160.82 |
Where the bill stands
As of mid-May, S. 4487 is in committee. Annual COLA bills like this one have passed with wide bipartisan margins for more than a decade. Enactment before September 2026 is the expected timeline.
Veterans dealing with complex dependency arrangements — housebound status, Aid and Attendance, multiple dependents — should work with an accredited VSO representative, not a claims company, once the bill moves forward.
