The month of April has been for the various payments and VA COLA in 2025 is one of them. It has increased 2.5% in veterans’ benefits, which was incorporated on 1st December 2024 to tackle the rising prices. This move will foresee the high compensation for disabled which also includes pensions, and dependent allowances. It means a veteran with 100% disability will see the payments increase from $3,737.85 to $3,831.30 per month. This article will talk more about the VA COLA Increase in 2025 in detail.
What is VA COLA in 2025?
Let’s understand first what is VA COLA? It is a program which is run by The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the war veterans. It includes other important measures like healthcare, education, disability payments, home loans, pensions, and memorial benefits to veterans, their families, and survivors. The objective of this program is to honour those veterans’ sacrifices and make their later life easier for them by offering multiple niche programs that support their needs. Since this program is linked to Social Security’s COLA, so there will be a 2.5% increase in the VA COLA payment system.
This will help the veterans to maintain finances while making a positive impact on the basic and dependent-based rates. The VA COLA in 2025 will be a 2.5% increase to all types of VA payments like disability payments, pensions, and survivor benefits to tackle the rising prices globally. The adjustment was finalized and started from 1st December 2024 and the new payments will be reflected in the month of April 2025.
Increase in VA COLA in 2025 Overview Details
|
Country of Origin |
USA |
|
State |
All States |
|
Regulating Body |
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
|
Category |
|
|
Age Limit |
65+ years |
|
Payment Amount |
$175 to $4,390 (approx.) |
|
Payment Mode |
Online (Direct Deposit) Offline (Paper Checks) |
|
Payment Duration |
Every month |
|
New Payment Starting Month |
First business day of every month |
|
Payment dates in June and July |
1st April 2025 (For March) 1st May 2025 (For April) |
|
Website |
Qualifying Criteria for VA COLA in 2025
Following are the eligibility criteria for VA COLA in 2025:
- Basic Eligibility: Person must have served in active military, naval, space, or air service and retired or left under respectable conditions. It also includes Reserve and National Guard members.
- Minimum Duty Requirements: Those veterans who joined after 7th September 1980, or started active services after 16th October 1981 and had served for atleast 24 months or till their retirement. Exceptions include any authorized challenges, early discharge, or service-related injuries.
- Returning Service Members: Those veterans who started serving after 11th November 2001 can get healthcare benefits for upto 10 years after discharge. It includes free of cost care for service-related conditions and priority enrolment to authorized institutions.
- Special Categories: Those veterans having 50% disability, injured in recent military-related activities, or specific medical conditions like Agent Orange or Gulf War hazards are qualified for VA COLA in 2025.
Payment Mode, Amount and Dates for VA COLA in 2025
Since it is dependent on COLA, so the VA COLA in 2025 will come with a 2.5% increase in monthly payments for veterans and survivors, which also includes disability compensation, pensions, and DIC. The primary method of payments is direct deposit to bank account, but paper checks are also acceptable. Current recipients will enjoy the automatic adjustment of payments, while those applying in 2025 will receive updated rates.
Payments are distributed on first business day of each month. If the day falls on a weekend or holiday, then payments are issued on the last working day before it.
VA COLA in 2025 Payment Chart
|
Disability Rating |
Veteran Alone |
With Spouse |
With Spouse and 1 Parent |
With Spouse and 2 Parents |
Each Additional Child Under 18 |
Spouse Receiving Aid and Attendance |
|
10% |
$175.51 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
20% |
$346.95 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
30% |
$537.42 |
$601.42 |
$652.42 |
$703.42 |
$31.00 |
$58.00 |
|
40% |
$774.16 |
$859.16 |
$927.16 |
$995.16 |
$42.00 |
$78.00 |
|
50% |
$1,102.04 |
$1,208.04 |
$1,293.04 |
$1,378.04 |
$53.00 |
$98.00 |
|
60% |
$1,395.93 |
$1,523.93 |
$1,625.93 |
$1,727.93 |
$63.00 |
$117.00 |
|
70% |
$1,759.19 |
$1,908.19 |
$2,028.19 |
$2,148.19 |
$74.00 |
$195.92 |
|
80% |
$2,044.89 |
$2,214.89 |
$2,351.89 |
$2,488.89 |
$84.00 |
$195.92 |
|
90% |
$2,297.96 |
$2,489.96 |
$2,643.96 |
$2,797.96 |
$95.00 |
$195.92 |
|
100% |
$3,831.30 |
$4,044.91 |
$4,216.35 |
$4,387.79 |
$106.14 |
$195.92 |
The new payment rates start from 1st December 2024, and these payments will be disbursed starting 1st April 2025.
How to Claim and Check the Status for VA COLA in 2025?
There is no separate application process to apply for The VA COLA in 2025, even you are either applying it for the first time or seeking adjustment in payments as is applied automatically. You can check the updated amount through your VA.gov account or bank statements.
To check the payment status, you can log in to VA.gov or the VA app to see the history of payments. For any issues, you can contact the VA helpline number at 877-222-VETS (877-222- 8387) from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or visit a regional office.
Fact checks on VA COLA in 2025
The 2.5% increase in COLA for VA has been implemented and will be available from 1st April 2025 through the updated payments. There were some misconceptions through reports that veterans will need to apply separately for the updated payments after 2.5% increase in COLA in 2025 and that there will be cuts in the VA benefits. These rumours were debunked by VA Secretary Doug Collins, affirming that there won’t be any separate application process and that the redirected funds would enhance veterans care and services rather than reduce payments. For more information, visit va.gov.
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