VA disability compensation is a lifeline for many veterans; it helps veterans who were hurt or sick while serving their country by giving them important cash support.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs this program to honour the efforts service members have made and help them deal with the long-term effects of conditions they got while serving.
Veterans will be able to use these tax-free payments to help pay for medical care, daily living costs, and other needs that come up because of their conditions.
VA Disability Payment Dates
The Honouring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which was passed in 2022, makes it easier for soldiers who have been exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances to get VA health care and benefits. This important law makes sure that soldiers and their families get the care and benefits they deserve, and it also fixes health problems that were caused by exposures like these.
Also See:$1,000 Stimulus Check Payment 2024, How to check Economic Relief Status?
2024 VA Disability Payment Schedule
The first work day of the following month is when disability benefits for a given month are paid out. People are paid on the last business day of the month before if the first of the month happens on a holiday or non-business day. Here is the payment plan for 2024:
| Month | Payment Date | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|
| June | July 1 | Monday |
| July | Aug. 1 | Thursday |
| August | Aug. 30 | Friday |
| September | Oct. 1 | Tuesday |
| October | Nov. 1 | Friday |
| November | Nov. 29 | Friday |
| December | Dec. 31 | Tuesday |
Types of VA Disability Payments
VA Disability Pay gives veterans with disabilities related to their service monthly payments that range from $165 to over $3,600, based on how bad the disability is and whether the veteran is dependent.
- VA Disability Pay: Monthly payments for veterans with service-related disabilities, ranging from $165 to over $3,600, depending on the severity of the disability and dependent status.
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Tax-free monthly benefits for eligible surviving family members of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected condition.
- Veterans and Survivors Pension Compensation: Financial support for eligible low-income veterans and their surviving family members.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Additional payments for veterans who suffered the loss or loss of use of specific organs or extremities due to service.
- Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits: Additional support to cover the costs of in-house care, nursing home care, and assisted living.
VA Disability Payment Amounts
VA disability compensation is money that soldiers with disabilities get that is not taxed and is based on illnesses or injuries they got or got worse while they were in the military. The severity of the disability is measured in 10% steps, going from 0% to 100%. The amount of pay changes based on this.
In some cases, like when you have dependents or a serious disability that needs extra help, you may be able to get more money. The numbers below show how much VA disability compensation will be paid starting on December 1, 2023. They take into account the 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase for 2024.
For Old Soldiers
For Veterans with a 10% to 20% Disability Rating
| Disability Rating | Monthly Payment ($) |
|---|---|
| 10% | 171.23 |
| 20% | 338.49 |
For Veterans with a 30% to 100% Disability Rating
| Dependent Status | 30% ($) | 40% ($) | 50% ($) | 60% ($) | 70% ($) | 80% ($) | 90% ($) | 100% ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veteran alone | 524.31 | 755.28 | 1,075.16 | 1,361.88 | 1,716.28 | 1,995.01 | 2,241.91 | 3,737.85 |
| With spouse | 586.31 | 838.28 | 1,179.16 | 1,486.88 | 1,861.28 | 2,161.01 | 2,428.91 | 3,946.25 |
| With a spouse and 1 parent | 636.31 | 904.28 | 1,262.16 | 1,586.88 | 1,978.28 | 2,294.01 | 2,578.91 | 4,113.51 |
| With a spouse and 2 parents | 686.31 | 970.28 | 1,345.16 | 1,686.88 | 2,095.28 | 2,427.01 | 2,728.91 | 4,280.77 |
| With 1 parent | 574.31 | 821.28 | 1,158.16 | 1,461.88 | 1,833.28 | 2,128.01 | 2,391.91 | 3,905.11 |
| With 2 parents | 624.31 | 887.28 | 1,241.16 | 1,561.88 | 1,950.28 | 2,261.01 | 2,541.91 | 4,072.37 |
| Veteran with 1 child | 565.31 | 810.28 | 1,144.16 | 1,444.88 | 1,813.28 | 2,106.01 | 2,366.91 | 3,877.22 |
| With 1 child and a spouse | 632.31 | 899.28 | 1,255.16 | 1,577.88 | 1,968.28 | 2,283.01 | 2,565.91 | 4,098.87 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 1 parent | 682.31 | 965.28 | 1,338.16 | 1,677.88 | 2,085.28 | 2,416.01 | 2,715.91 | 4,266.13 |
| With 1 child, spouse, and 2 parents | 732.31 | 1,031.28 | 1,421.16 | 1,777.88 | 2,202.28 | 2,549.01 | 2,865.91 | 4,433.39 |
| With 1 child and 1 parent | 615.31 | 876.28 | 1,227.16 | 1,544.88 | 1,930.28 | 2,239.01 | 2,516.91 | 4,044.48 |
| With 1 child and 2 parents | 665.31 | 942.28 | 1,310.16 | 1,644.88 | 2,047.28 | 2,372.01 | 2,666.91 | 4,211.74 |
| Additional Dependency | 30%-60% ($) | 70%-100% ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Each additional child under the age of 18 | 31-62 | 72-103.55 |
| Each additional child over age 18 in school | 100-200 | 234-334.49 |
| Spouse receiving Aid and Attendance | 57-114 | 134-191.14 |
How to Apply for VA Disability Compensation
-
- Confirm that you have a service-connected disability. This could be an illness or injury that occurred or was aggravated during your military service.
- Collect all necessary documents, including your military service records, medical records, and any evidence that supports your disability claim.
- Fill out VA Form 21-526EZ, “Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits.” This form is available on the VA website.
- You can submit your completed application online through the VA’s eBenefits portal, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office.
- After submitting your application, the VA will review your claim. This may include verifying your service records and reviewing your medical evidence.
- The VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to assess your disability. Attend this exam, as it is crucial for evaluating your condition.
- The VA will process your claim and make a decision. This can take several months, so patience is necessary.
- You will receive a decision letter from the VA detailing whether your claim was approved or denied and, if approved, the rating and payment amount.
- If you disagree with the VA’s decision, you can File an Appeal. Review the decision letter carefully and follow the instructions for submitting an appeal.
- Once approved, set up direct deposit for your monthly payments, keep your contact and banking information up to date with the VA, and stay informed about any updates or changes to your benefits.