Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA)

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Veterans Affairs [Docket No. VA-2026-VACO-0001] AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: As required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, VA is hereby giving notice of COLA in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Program. The rate of adjustment is tied to the increase in Social Security benefits effective December 1, 2025, as announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA has announced an increase of 2.8%. DATES: The increases in amounts became effective December 1, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janel Keyes, Assistant Director, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 202-632-8863. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the provisions of the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025 ( Pub. L. 119-42 ), VA is required to increase, effective December 1, 2025, the benefit rates of DIC programs by the same percentage as increases in the benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act. VA is required to publish notice of the increased rates in the Federal Register . The SSA has announced a 2.8% COLA increase in Social Security benefits effective December 1, 2025. Therefore, applying the same percentage, the following increased rates for the DIC program became effective December 1, 2025: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Monthly Payment Rates DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse&m…