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H.R. 8552House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026

Sponsored by Morgan LuttrellRep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX)
Introduced April 28, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated May 7, 2026 at 9:22 AM UTC

The Veterans' Compensation Cost‑of‑Living Adjustment Act of 2026 would raise the monthly payments that veterans with service‑connected disabilities receive, as well as the survivor benefits paid to spouses and children of certain disabled veterans. The increase would take effect on December 1, 2026 and would be tied to the same percentage increase applied to Social Security benefits that year. The changes affect all veterans receiving disability compensation, their dependents, and surviving spouses or children.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must raise the dollar amounts for wartime disability compensation, additional dependent compensation, clothing allowances, and survivor benefits on December 1, 2026.
  • The percentage increase will match the cost‑of‑living adjustment applied to Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
  • The Secretary may also administratively adjust compensation rates for certain disabled individuals who are not covered under the main veterans’ compensation statutes.
  • The adjusted rates must be published in the Federal Register by the deadline set for the Social Security COLA publication in fiscal year 2027.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 30, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 28, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

April 28, 2026

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 22, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 25, 2026

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 30, 2026

HouseCommittee

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

June 30, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 28, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 8552

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 28, 2026

Mr. Luttrell (for himself and Mr. McGarvey) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

To increase, effective as of December 1, 2026, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026.

2.

Increase in rates of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation

(a)

Rate Adjustment

Effective on December 1, 2026, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall increase, in accordance with subsection (c), the dollar amounts in effect on November 30, 2026, for the payment of disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation under the provisions specified in subsection (b).

(b)

Amounts To Be Increased

The dollar amounts to be increased pursuant to subsection (a) are the following:

(1)

Wartime disability compensation

Each of the dollar amounts under section 1114 of title 38, United States Code.

(2)

Additional compensation for dependents

Each of the dollar amounts under section 1115(1) of such title.

(3)

Clothing allowance

The dollar amount under section 1162 of such title.

(4)

Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouse

Each of the dollar amounts under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1311 of such title.

(5)

Dependency and indemnity compensation to children

Each of the dollar amounts under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.

(c)

Determination of Increase

Each dollar amount described in subsection (b) shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage by which benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) are increased effective December 1, 2026, as a result of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)).

(d)

Special Rule

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may adjust administratively, consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of disability compensation payable to persons under section 10 of Public Law 85–857 (72 Stat. 1263) who have not received compensation under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code.

3.

Publication of Adjusted Rates

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall publish in the Federal Register the amounts specified in section 2(b), as increased under that section, not later than the date on which the matters specified in section 215(i)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) are required to be published by reason of a determination made under section 215(i) of such Act during fiscal year 2027.