Bill > S4487

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 compensation categories, including wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The bill specifies that the percentage 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. Additionally, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to make administrative adjustments to disability compensation rates for individuals who haven't received compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, to align with these increases. The adjusted rates will be published in the Federal Register by a date tied to the publication of Social Security benefit adjustments.