The House passed legislation Monday that would raise disability compensation for veterans and certain benefits for surviving family members. The measure would apply a 3.6% cost-of-living increase effective Dec. 1, 2026, if it becomes law.
The House took up H.R. 8552 under a procedure used for bills expected to have broad support. It passed by voice vote, Stucci Media reported. The bill still needs Senate approval and the president’s signature.
Who would see an increase
The bill covers compensation for service-connected disabilities and specified dependency and indemnity compensation paid to eligible survivors. The Department of Veterans Affairs’ current rate tables show how monthly disability payments vary by rating and dependent status. The same percentage increase would translate into different dollar amounts depending on the current payment.
The legislation ties the increase to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The Social Security Administration announced a 3.6% adjustment in October, based on the federal consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers. The VA bill specifies its own effective date for the covered benefits.
The vote came two days before Veterans Day. Houston has scheduled its annual Veterans Day parade for Wednesday.