The 2026 VA disability COLA increase is 2.8%, boosting monthly compensation for millions of veterans. This cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) helps VA benefits keep pace with inflation and rising everyday costs like food, rent, and utilities.
The increase takes effect in December 2025, and because January 1 is a federal holiday, the first payment at the new 2026 rate will arrive on December 31, 2025. After that, payments follow VA’s regular monthly schedule.
As one veterans’ advocate often reminds clients, “You don’t have to do anything extra to get the COLA increase if you’re already receiving VA disability, the new rate is automatic.”
Below, you’ll find the full 2026 VA payment calendar, the updated monthly rates for each disability rating, and a closer look at what the 40% VA disability COLA increase means in real dollars.
2026 VA Disability COLA Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| COLA Increase for 2026 | 2.8% |
| First Payment at New Rate | December 31, 2025 (for January 2026 benefit month) |
| Type of Benefit | VA disability compensation (tax-free) |
| Applies To | All VA disability ratings (10%–100%), including TDIU and SMC |
| Basis for Increase | Annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) |
| Single Veteran, No Dependents | Rates listed in table below |
| 40% Rating (Single, 2026) | $795.84 per month |
A VA-accredited representative might summarize it this way: “This COLA may look small on paper, but over a full year it can mean hundreds of extra dollars in the pocket of a veteran living on a fixed income.”
2026 VA Disability Payment Schedule
VA disability compensation is paid monthly, but the deposit usually hits your account at the start of the following month. If that date is a weekend or federal holiday, VA pays on the last business day before it.
2026 VA Disability Pay Dates
| Month of Benefit | Day of the Week Pay Is Issued | Payment Date (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Friday | January 30, 2026 |
| February 2026 | Friday | February 27, 2026 |
| March 2026 | Wednesday | April 1, 2026 |
| April 2026 | Friday | May 1, 2026 |
| May 2026 | Monday | June 1, 2026 |
| June 2026 | Wednesday | July 1, 2026 |
| July 2026 | Friday | July 31, 2026 |
| August 2026 | Tuesday | September 1, 2026 |
| September 2026 | Thursday | October 1, 2026 |
| October 2026 | Friday | October 30, 2026 |
| November 2026 | Tuesday | December 1, 2026 |
| December 2026 | Thursday | December 31, 2026 |
A common tip from financial counselors who work with veterans: “Mark these dates on a calendar or set reminders on your phone planning around your deposit dates can help avoid overdrafts and late payments on bills.”
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates for a Single Veteran (No Dependents)
The table below shows the 2026 VA disability pay rates, along with the prior years (2025 and 2024) for comparison. These amounts are for a single veteran with no dependents.
| Combined VA Rating | 2026 VA Disability Pay | 2025 VA Disability Pay | 2024 VA Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | $175.51 | $171.23 |
| 20% | $356.66 | $346.95 | $338.49 |
| 30% | $551.47 | $537.42 | $524.31 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $774.16 | $755.28 |
| 50% | $1,131.29 | $1,102.04 | $1,075.16 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,395.93 | $1,361.88 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,759.19 | $1,716.27 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,044.89 | $1,995.01 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,297.96 | $2,241.91 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $3,831.30 | $3,737.85 |
Note: These amounts are base rates for a single veteran with no dependents. Adding a spouse, children, or dependent parents will generally increase your monthly payment.
Focus on 40% VA Disability COLA Increase in 2026
Many veterans land at or around a 40% combined disability rating, so it’s worth looking closely at how the COLA affects this level.
- 2024 (40%): $755.28
- 2025 (40%): $774.16
- 2026 (40%): $795.84
That means:
- Increase from 2025 to 2026: $21.68 more per month
- Over a full year: about $260 more in 2026 compared to 2025
For a veteran on a fixed income, that extra amount can help with:
- Rising utility bills
- Prescription co-pays
- Gas or transportation costs
- Everyday expenses like groceries
As one veterans benefits coach puts it, “You may not notice $20 in a single month, but over time these COLA increases compound and protect buying power.”
Do You Need to Do Anything to Get the 2026 COLA Increase?
The good news: No additional claim is required to receive the 2026 COLA increase.
If you:
- Are already receiving VA disability compensation, and
- Still meet eligibility requirements
…your monthly rate will automatically adjust to the new 2026 amount. You’ll simply see a higher deposit in your account starting with the December 31, 2025 payment.
This applies whether you are:
- Rated anywhere from 10% to 100%
- Receiving TDIU (Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability)
- Receiving Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
How the 2026 COLA Helps Veterans Long-Term?
Even though 2.8% might sound modest, COLA increases are critical for veterans living on disability compensation. Over time, they:
- Help offset inflation and rising living costs
- Protect the real value of your benefits
- Make it easier to budget year to year
A legal practitioner who works on VA appeals often says, “We fight hard to get veterans the right rating, but COLA is what protects that win in the years that follow.”
FAQs
When will I see the first VA payment at the new 2026 rate?
The first payment reflecting the 2026 COLA will arrive on December 31, 2025, because January 1 is a federal holiday.
Do I have to apply to get the 2.8% COLA increase?
No. If you’re already receiving VA disability, the increase is automatic. VA adjusts your rate without any extra forms.
Do these rates include dependents?
No. The rates listed above are for a single veteran with no dependents. Adding a spouse, children, or dependent parents increases your monthly benefit. VA has separate rate tables for veterans with dependents.
Does TDIU get the same COLA increase?
Yes. Veterans receiving TDIU are paid at the 100% rate, and that 100% rate is adjusted by COLA each year, including in 2026.
Will I still be paid if a pay date falls on a weekend or holiday?
Yes. If a scheduled pay date falls on a weekend or holiday, VA issues payment on the last business day before that date.
Can my VA rating be reduced when COLA increases?
COLA itself does not reduce ratings. However, VA can review ratings for other reasons (like evidence of improvement). Protected ratings and long-standing ratings have special safeguards.
