Veterans receiving VA disability benefits will get a 3.6% pay increase in 2027. Here’s how much more money you could receive and when to expect it.

If you receive disability pay from the Department of Veterans Affairs, your monthly payment is going up.

The increase is 3.6% for 2027.

The Social Security Administration announced the increase Oct. 14, 2026. It is called a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA.

A COLA helps benefits keep up with rising prices. This includes the cost of groceries, gas, housing and other daily needs.

VA disability payments increase by the same percentage as Social Security benefits.

The increase will begin with December 2026 benefits, which are normally paid in January 2027.

Here’s what veterans and their families need to know.

How much will VA disability pay increase in 2027?

Your increase depends on your VA disability rating.

A disability rating is a number from 0% to 100%. The VA uses this number to help decide how much disability compensation you receive.

In general, the higher your rating, the more money you receive each month.

For example, a veteran with a 100% disability rating and no dependents receives $3,938.58 per month in 2026.

With the 3.6% increase, that payment is expected to rise to about $4,080.37 per month in 2027.

That’s about $142 more each month, or $1,701 more per year.

The exact amount you receive may be different if you have a spouse, children or other eligible dependents.

2027 VA disability pay chart

The chart below shows what veterans without dependents could receive in 2027.

The 2027 amounts are estimates based on the confirmed 3.6% COLA.

Disability rating	2026 monthly pay	Estimated 2027 monthly pay
10%	$180.42	$186.92
20%	$356.66	$369.50
30%	$552.47	$572.36
40%	$795.84	$824.49
50%	$1,132.90	$1,173.68
60%	$1,435.02	$1,486.68
70%	$1,808.45	$1,873.55
80%	$2,102.15	$2,177.83
90%	$2,362.30	$2,447.34
100%	$3,938.58	$4,080.37

Important: These are estimated payments, not the VA’s final 2027 rates.

The estimates use the VA’s official 2026 disability pay rates and the Social Security Administration’s announced 3.6% increase.

When will veterans get their higher payments?

The increase takes effect Dec. 1, 2026.

Most veterans will see the higher amount in their payment for December benefits, normally received at the beginning of January 2027.

You do not need to apply for the increase.

If you already receive VA disability compensation, the VA will update your payment automatically.

Will veterans with dependents get more money?

Yes, some veterans will.

If your disability rating is 30% or higher, you may receive extra money for eligible family members.

These may include your spouse, children or dependent parents.

For example, a veteran with a 100% disability rating and a spouse, but no children or dependent parents, receives $4,158.17 per month in 2026.

With the 3.6% increase, that amount could rise to about $4,307.86 per month in 2027.

Your actual payment depends on your family situation.

Veterans with 10% or 20% disability ratings do not receive extra compensation for dependents.

You can check the VA’s disability compensation tables to see how dependents affect your payment.

Why does this increase matter to veterans?

For many veterans, disability compensation helps pay for everyday needs.

That includes rent, groceries, transportation and medical expenses.

But rising prices can make it harder to cover those costs.

Mission Roll Call has heard these concerns directly from veterans.

In its 2024 Impact Report, Mission Roll Call found that 41.1% of survey respondents identified food and financial security as a top priority for 2025.

MRC’s research also shows that rising living costs continue to affect veterans and their families.

Some veterans report concerns about paying for food, keeping stable housing and meeting other basic needs.

These challenges can also affect a veteran’s physical and mental health.

Read more in Mission Roll Call’s report, What Veterans Shared Last Year, What Our Research Shows and Trends We’re Paying Attention to in 2026.

The 2027 increase will provide additional money each month.

However, the amount may not cover every increase in a family’s living expenses.

That is why understanding your VA benefits and making sure you receive the correct payment is important.

What if I receive special monthly compensation?

Some veterans receive extra VA payments because of serious service-connected disabilities.

These payments are called special monthly compensation, or SMC.

SMC may apply to veterans who have lost the use of certain body parts, need help with daily activities or meet other VA requirements.

These payments are also adjusted for the annual COLA.

Because SMC amounts vary, veterans should check the VA’s special monthly compensation rates for more information.

Do veterans pay taxes on VA disability benefits?

No.

VA disability compensation is not subject to federal income tax.

You generally do not need to include these payments as taxable income when filing your federal tax return.

This means the 2027 increase will not create additional federal income tax on your VA disability compensation.

What should veterans do now?

You don’t need to do anything to receive the annual increase.

However, it’s a good time to review your benefits.

Make sure the VA has the correct information about your spouse, children or other eligible dependents.

You can also check your current disability rating and monthly payment through the VA’s official website.

If you believe your payment is incorrect, contact the VA for help.

Your voice matters to Mission Roll Call

At Mission Roll Call, we know that disability benefits are about more than numbers.

They help veterans and their families pay bills, plan for the future and build financial security.

Our research continues to show that many veterans are worried about rising costs and making ends meet.

That’s why we listen to veterans, collect their feedback and share their concerns with leaders who make decisions about veteran benefits and services.

We believe veterans should have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Through our surveys and research, we help make sure those voices are heard.

Join Mission Roll Call and help us continue bringing veteran perspectives into the national conversation.