Two Major VA Pay Increases Are Coming: October 1st and December 1st

Veterans and their families can expect two separate pay increases before the end of 2026—one taking effect October 1st and another on December 1st. These adjustments impact disability compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), Chapter 35 Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), and Chapter 31 Veterans Readiness & Employment (VR&E) subsistence allowance rates. Understanding the timing and differences between these increases ensures veterans and dependents know exactly when additional financial support will arrive.

Anticipated VA pay increases in 2026 with estimated 2.8% adjustment on October 1 and projected 3.1% pay raise on December 1 — *Anticipated VA pay increases in October and December 2026 highlight cost-of-living adjustments and annual raises.*

October 1st: DEA & VR&E Increases

Unlike disability compensation, which follows the Social Security Administration’s annual COLA schedule, Chapter 35 and Chapter 31 benefits adjust at the start of the federal fiscal year.

Chapter 35 – Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA)

Current full‑time rate: $1,574 per month for eligible spouses or dependent children ().
New rate begins October 1st, 2026, and is expected to exceed $1,600.
Rates remain effective October 1st – September 30th each year.

Chapter 31 – VR&E Subsistence Allowance

Current full‑time rates through September 2026:

$812.84 – Veteran with no dependents
$1,188.15 – Veteran with two dependents ()

These rates also adjust October 1st, often with percentage changes that differ from COLA. In some years, VR&E increases have been larger than disability compensation increases.

Veterans using VR&E for retraining, education, or career transition will see these increases two months earlier than disability compensation recipients.

December 1st: Disability Compensation & DIC COLA Increase

The annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)—calculated by the Social Security Administration—will be applied to VA disability compensation, DIC, and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

Key points:

COLA becomes effective December 1st.
Payment arrives at the end of December, not January, due to holiday scheduling ().
COLA is based on July, August, and September CPI data.
Early projections place the increase around 4–5%, but the official number will be released in mid‑October.

This increase applies to:

Disability compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Other COLA‑linked VA payments

What This Means for Veterans and Families

Dependents using Chapter 35 will see higher payments starting October 1st.
Veterans using VR&E will also receive increased subsistence allowance beginning October 1st.
Disability compensation recipients will see their COLA increase December 1st, paid at the end of the month.
Families using multiple benefit programs may see two separate increases within 60 days.