2026 VA Disability COLA Confirmed at 2.8%: New Pay Rates by Rating Percentage
OFFICIAL: The 2026 VA disability COLA is confirmed at 2.8%. This means increases of $4.91/month for 10% ratings up to $107.28/month for 100% ratings. Effective date: January 1, 2026. Announced October 24, 2025.
Table of Contents
Basic VA Disability Rates (No Dependents)
VA Disability Rates with Dependents
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Rates
Quick Comparison: 2025 vs 2026
The Bottom Line
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
2026 VA Disability Pay Raise: Official 2.8% COLA Confirmed
It’s official. The Social Security Administration announced today that the 2026 COLA is 2.8%, slightly higher than the projected 2.7%. That means your VA disability compensation goes up starting January 1st, and the increases are a bit better than expected.
Here’s what the confirmed 2.8% COLA means for your monthly check at every rating level, including rates for dependents and Special Monthly Compensation.
Want to see how this compares to past years? Check out the complete history of VA compensation rates and COLAs from 1975 to present.
Basic VA Disability Rates (Veterans Without Dependents)
If you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents, skip to the dependent rates section below. If you receive Special Monthly Compensation, see the SMC section.
10% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $175.51/month
New (2026): $180.42/month
Monthly Increase: +$4.91
Yearly Increase: +$58.92
20% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $346.95/month
New (2026): $356.66/month
Monthly Increase: +$9.71
Yearly Increase: +$116.52
30% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $537.42/month
New (2026): $552.47/month
Monthly Increase: +$15.05
Yearly Increase: +$180.60
40% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $774.16/month
New (2026): $795.84/month
Monthly Increase: +$21.68
Yearly Increase: +$260.16
50% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $1,102.04/month
New (2026): $1,132.90/month
Monthly Increase: +$30.86
Yearly Increase: +$370.32
60% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $1,395.43/month
New (2026): $1,434.50/month
Monthly Increase: +$39.07
Yearly Increase: +$468.84
70% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $1,759.19/month
New (2026): $1,808.45/month
Monthly Increase: +$49.26
Yearly Increase: +$591.12
80% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $2,044.89/month
New (2026): $2,102.15/month
Monthly Increase: +$57.26
Yearly Increase: +$687.12
90% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $2,297.96/month
New (2026): $2,362.30/month
Monthly Increase: +$64.34
Yearly Increase: +$772.08
100% Disability Rating
Current (2025): $3,831.30/month
New (2026): $3,938.58/month
Monthly Increase: +$107.28
Yearly Increase: +$1,287.36
VA Disability Rates with Dependents (2026)
If you have a spouse, children, or dependent parents, your monthly payment is higher than the base rates above. Here are common scenarios showing what you’ll receive in 2026 with the 2.8% COLA.
Important: Dependent rates only apply starting at 30% disability.
100% Disability Rating with Spouse Only
2025: $4,044.91/month → 2026: $4,158.17/month (+$113.26)
100% Disability Rating with Spouse and 1 Child
2025: $4,201.35/month → 2026: $4,318.99/month (+$117.64)
70% Disability Rating with Spouse and 1 Child
2025: $2,018.19/month → 2026: $2,074.70/month (+$56.51)
50% Disability Rating with Spouse Only
2025: $1,208.04/month → 2026: $1,241.87/month (+$33.83)
30% Disability Rating with 1 Dependent Parent
2025: $588.42/month → 2026: $604.90/month (+$16.48)
Additional Children:
Each additional child under 18 adds $109.11/month in 2026 (up from $106.14).
For children over 18 in qualifying school programs: $352.45/month (up from $342.85).
Aid and Attendance:
If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance, add $201.41/month in 2026 (up from $195.92).
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Rates for 2026
SMC-K (Added to Your Base Rate)
Covers loss of organ or limb function.
2025: $136.06 → 2026: $139.87 (+$3.81)
SMC-S (Housebound)
Veteran alone: $4,288.45 → $4,408.53 (+$120.08)
With spouse: $4,502.06 → $4,628.12 (+$126.06)
SMC-L (Loss of Use of Foot or Hand)
Veteran alone: $4,767.34 → $4,900.83 (+$133.49)
With spouse: $4,980.95 → $5,120.42 (+$139.47)
SMC-O/P (Aid and Attendance)
Veteran alone: $6,689.81 → $6,877.12 (+$187.31)
SMC-R.1 (Maximum Aid and Attendance)
Veteran alone: $9,559.22 → $9,826.88 (+$267.66)
Quick Comparison: 2025 vs 2026 Rates
| Rating | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | Monthly Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $180.42 | +$4.91 |
| 20% | $346.95 | $356.66 | +$9.71 |
| 30% | $537.42 | $552.47 | +$15.05 |
| 40% | $774.16 | $795.84 | +$21.68 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,132.90 | +$30.86 |
| 60% | $1,395.43 | $1,434.50 | +$39.07 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,808.45 | +$49.26 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 | $2,102.15 | +$57.26 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 | $2,362.30 | +$64.34 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $3,938.58 | +$107.28 |
The 2.8% COLA came in at the higher end of projections.
If you’re at 100% with no dependents, that’s +$1,287 per year.
With a spouse, +$1,359 annually.
If you receive SMC-R.1, up to $3,211 more per year.
New rates take effect January 1, 2026, and will appear in your first payment of the year automatically.
The 2.8% increase is slightly above the 20-year average of 2.6%.
A Few Things to Remember:
It’s automatic — no forms or applications needed.
You’ll get notice in December via mail or VA.gov.
Check your dependent status to ensure your payment reflects your household correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new VA disability rates take effect?
January 1, 2026.
What is the 2026 VA disability COLA?
2.8%, announced October 24, 2025.
How much will a 100% disabled veteran’s payment increase?
$107.28 per month ($1,287.36 per year).
Do I need to do anything to get the COLA increase?
No, it’s automatic.
Is the COLA the same for all VA benefits?
Yes, applies to disability, DIC, pension, and SMC.
What if I recently added a dependent?
Report it soon to ensure correct payments.
How does the 2026 COLA compare historically?
2.8% is slightly above average, and higher than 2025’s increase.
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