VA Disability Pay Tracker (2026)

The 2026 VA compensation table reflects a 2.8% COLA increase. Track your monthly payment amounts, dependent add-ons, and the deposit schedule VA follows when the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

  • 2026 COLA: 2.8% increase applied to monthly compensation.
  • Effective date: December 1, 2025 payments reflect the current rate sheet.
  • Rates update each fall when VA publishes the new COLA tables—check back for refreshed numbers.
  • Deposit dates follow the first business day rule; if the 1st is a weekend or federal holiday, payment shifts to the next business day.
  • Keep your dependency status current on VA.gov so spouse/child/parent add-ons post without delays.
Written by: Navy submariner veteran (ET2/SS, USS Pittsburgh 1995-2005), Amazon-published VA claims author View books
Reference

Compensation Highlights

  • 100% veteran alone: $3,938.58 per month.
  • 100% with spouse: $4,152.19 per month.
  • 100% with spouse & child: $4,258.33 per month.
  • 70% veteran alone: $1,808.45 per month.
  • 70% with spouse: $1,957.45 per month.
  • 50% veteran alone: $1,132.90 per month.
  • 30% unlocks dependent pay: $552.47 baseline before add-ons.

Dependent Add-Ons

  • Spouse Aid & Attendance (100%): $195.92 in addition to spouse/child pay.
  • Dependent parent add-on (60%+): $102.00 per parent.
  • College child add-on (60%+): $205.00 per school-age child.
  • Child under 18 (30%+): $31.00 per child for ratings 30% and higher.
  • Start modeling scenarios with the VA disability calculator before you file.

Source: VA.gov compensation rate tables

Schedule

2026 Deposit Schedule

VA pays on the first business day each month. Shifts appear when the 1st is a weekend or federal holiday.

January 2, 2026
January deposit covering December 2025
Shifted 1 day due to New Year's Day.
February 2, 2026
February deposit covering January 2026
Shifted 1 day due to weekend.
March 2, 2026
March deposit covering February 2026
Shifted 1 day due to weekend.
April 1, 2026
April deposit covering March 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
May 1, 2026
May deposit covering April 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
June 1, 2026
June deposit covering May 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
July 1, 2026
July deposit covering June 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
August 3, 2026
August deposit covering July 2026
Shifted 2 days due to weekend.
September 1, 2026
September deposit covering August 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
October 1, 2026
October deposit covering September 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
November 2, 2026
November deposit covering October 2026
Shifted 1 day due to weekend.
December 1, 2026
December deposit covering November 2026
No shift—deposit on the first business day.
Banking

Early Direct Deposit at Major Banks

Chase Bank
Chase Secure Banking® and Chase Liquid® customers can see qualifying direct deposits up to <strong>two business days early</strong> once the payer submits payment details.
Early access is automatic on eligible accounts after direct deposit is set up and depends on the employer or benefits provider sending payment information in advance.
Bank of America
Bank of America credits direct deposits on the scheduled effective date and <strong>does not advertise early release</strong> of funds.
Deposits typically become available the same business day the bank receives them; customers can confirm posting through the Bank of America mobile app or Online Banking.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Early Pay Day can deliver eligible direct deposits <strong>up to two days early</strong> when the payer transmits payment details ahead of schedule.
Customers must enable Early Pay Day in the Wells Fargo Mobile® app; availability depends on the timing of the employer or benefits provider.
Citibank
Citi posts direct deposits on the regular payment date and currently <strong>does not promote an early direct deposit program</strong>.
Funds show in Citi Online and the Citi Mobile® App once the bank receives the ACH file from the payer.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Early Pay gives qualifying consumer checking accounts access to direct deposits <strong>up to two days in advance</strong>.
No enrollment required; early posting occurs automatically when the payer submits deposit instructions early.
PNC Bank
PNC Early Pay lets Virtual Wallet® customers receive direct deposits <strong>up to two days early</strong>.
Enable Early Pay inside the PNC Mobile app; early availability depends on when the employer or agency releases payment information.

Chase Bank reference · Bank of America reference · Wells Fargo reference · Citibank reference · U.S. Bank reference · PNC Bank reference

References

Sources

Questions

Pay Schedule FAQ

When do new VA disability compensation rates take effect?

VA disability rates adjust annually based on the Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). New rates take effect December 1st and appear in your January deposit.

Our disability calculator updates with each COLA announcement so you can see your projected monthly payment.

Why is my VA disability payment date later than the 1st?

VA deposits hit on the first business day of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your payment arrives the next business day.

The VA pay schedule shows every adjusted date for the full year so you can plan ahead.

How do VA disability dependent payments work?

Dependent payments are added to your base veteran-alone rate. Start with the rate for your combined percentage, then add the amounts for spouse, each child under 18, each school-age child (18-23), and any dependent parents. If your spouse needs Aid & Attendance, there's an additional amount for that too.

The calculator breaks down each component so you can see exactly where your payment comes from.