Bill > HR8552

This bill, titled the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026, mandates that starting December 1, 2026, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will increase the payment rates for disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans. These increases will be applied to various categories of compensation, including wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The percentage of the increase will mirror the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) applied to Social Security benefit amounts effective on the same date, as determined by the Social Security Act. The Secretary is also authorized to make corresponding administrative adjustments to compensation rates for individuals who have not yet received benefits under chapter 11 of title 38 of the U.S. Code, and the adjusted rates will be published in the Federal Register.