Archive · 1 Dec 2025
VA Benefits Update: December Payment Schedule and 2026 COLA Increase
The VA benefits payment for veterans will arrive on December 1 instead of November 30 because November 30 is a Sunday.
This change affects disability compensation and other benefits.
The VA supports over 6.5 million veterans.
Starting December 1, benefits will increase by 2.8% due to the 2026 COLA update.
The increase varies based on the veteran's rating, with examples ranging from $175.51 to $180.42 for a 10% rating, up to $3,831.30 to $3,938.58 for a 100% rating.
VA benefits include disability compensation, health care, education, housing, and burial benefits.
VA benefits for November will be credited on December 1 due to November 30 being a Sunday.
The VA supports over 6.5 million veterans with various benefits.
VA benefits will increase by 2.8% starting December 1, 2023, due to the 2026 COLA update.
The increase in benefits varies based on the veteran's rating, with specific examples provided for ratings from 10% to 100%.
VA benefits include disability compensation, health care, education, housing, and burial benefits.
- Who
- Veterans, their dependents, and survivors
- What
- VA benefits payment schedule change and COLA increase
- When
- December 1, 2023 (payment), 2026 (COLA implementation)
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Adjustment for November 30 falling on a Sunday and annual COLA update
- Payment Date
- December 1, 2023
- COLA Increase
- 2.8%
- Beneficiaries
- 6.5 million veterans and dependents
- Benefit Types
- Disability compensation, pension, education, housing
- Rating Increase Examples
- 10%: $175.51 to $180.42, 100%: $3,831.30 to $3,938.58
