For veterans receiving disability benefits in 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a 2.5% COLA. For those with a 100% disability rating, the adjustment will result in an increase of up to $94; payments will start to show the change in April 2025.
$94 VA Cost Of Living Increase
In order to help veterans according to the current inflation rates, the VA COLA is an annual increase in disability benefits. It is linked to the Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers Consumer Price Index (CPI-W), which monitors changes in the price of goods and services. Veterans’ benefits are ensured to maintain their value and purchasing power when inflation increases due to the COLA adjustment.
$94 VA Cost Of Living 2025 Overview
| Department | United States Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Increase in VA Disability Benefits | Up to $94 per month |
| Updated Monthly Payment for 100% Disability Rating | $3,831.30 |
| Payment Date | Tuesday, April 1, 2025 |
| Category | Government Aid |
| Official Website | https://www.va.gov/ |
How Much Will Veterans Receive After the Increase?
VA disability compensation rates will increase because of the 2025 COLA increase; the exact amount will depend on the veteran’s disability rating.
| Disability Rating | 2024 Monthly Payment | 2025 Monthly Payment (2.5% Increase) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $171.23 | $175.51 | $4.28 |
| 30% | $524.31 | $537.42 | $13.11 |
| 50% | $1,075.16 | $1,101.04 | $25.88 |
| 70% | $1,716.28 | $1,759.19 | $42.91 |
| 100% (No Dependents) | $3,737.00 | $3,831.30 | $94.30 |
Eligibility for the VA COLA Increase
The COLA increase is immediately available to all veterans who are currently receiving VA disability payments. There is no need to apply for the VA COLA adjustment, as it will be automatically included in monthly payments.
The increase extends beyond veterans to military retirees getting Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), survivors receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and military retirees receiving Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP).
Increased VA Payment Schedule
The first working day of the month is usually when VA disability payments are made, covering benefits from the previous month. The payment reflecting the increase will be made on 1st April 2025, as benefits for March 2025 are due in April.
Monthly VA payment for March will be made on 1st April 2025; payment for April will be made on May 1st, 2025; payment for the May month will be made on 2nd June 2025; and payment for June will be made on 1st July 2025. The VA payment will be handled on the previous business day if the due date occurs on a weekend or federal holiday.
How to Check Your Updated VA Benefits
- After the COLA increase, veterans may quickly verify their updated benefits using a number of techniques.
- To view your payment statement and confirm the most recent VA amount, you can sign into your VA.gov account.
- The VA Health and Benefits app also provides quick access to payment history and benefit details.
- Alternatively, you may verify the deposit by checking your bank account, or if you have issues, call VA Benefits Support at 1-800-827-1000.
FAQs
How much will veterans with a 100% disability rating receive after the 2025 COLA increase?
Veterans with a 100% rating will receive $3,831.30 per month after a $94.30 increase.
Do veterans need to apply for the VA COLA increase?
No, the COLA increase is automatic for eligible veterans receiving VA benefits.
How can veterans check their updated VA benefits?
Veterans can check their updated benefits on VA.gov, the VA Health and Benefits app, or through their bank statement.
Peter Robinson is a news writer with 6 years of experience, specializing in Government Aid and the latest news. He focuses on explaining government programs and current events in an easy-to-understand way. Peter is dedicated to keeping readers informed with reliable and up-to-date information.