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Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Cost of Living Adjustments

89 Fed. Reg. 83759 (Oct. 17, 2024)

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Cost of Living Adjustments

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Federal RegisterOct 17, 2024
89 Fed. Reg. 83759 (Oct. 17, 2024)
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    Department of Veterans Affairs

    AGENCY:

    Department of Veterans Affairs.

    ACTION:

    Notice.

    SUMMARY:

    As required by the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hereby giving notice of Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Program. The rate of the adjustment is tied to the increase in Social Security benefits, effective December 1, 2023, as announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA has announced an increase of 3.2%.

    DATES:

    The increases in amounts became effective December 1, 2023.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Gabrielle Mancuso, Lead Management and Program Analyst, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420; 202-632-8862. This is not a toll-free number.

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Under the provisions of Public Law 118-6, VA is required to increase, effective December 1, 2023, 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 .

    SSA has announced a 3.2% COLA increase in Social Security benefits effective December 1, 2023. Therefore, applying the same percentage, the following increased rates for the DIC program became effective December 1, 2023:

    Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Monthly Payment Rates

    DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse—Veteran Death on or After January 1, 1993

    Basic Monthly Rate: $1,612.75.

    If at the time of the Veteran's death, the Veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse was married to the Veteran for those same 8 years, add: $342.46.

    For each dependent child under the age of 18, add: $399.54.

    If the surviving spouse is entitled to Aid and Attendance benefits, add $399.54.

    If the surviving spouse is entitled to Housebound benefits, add $181.17.

    If the surviving spouse has one or more children under the age of 18 on the award per 38 U.S.C. 1311(f), add the 2-year transitional benefit of $342.00.

    DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse—Veteran Death Prior to January 1, 1993

    Veteran paygrade Amount payable
    E-1(f) $1,612.75
    E-2(f) 1,612.75
    E-3(a,f) 1,612.75
    E-4(f) 1,612.75
    E-5(f) 1,612.75
    E-6(f) 1,612.75
    E-7(g) 1,668.49
    E-8(g) 1,761.43
    E-9(g) 1,837.07
    E-9(b) 1,983.09
    W-1(g) 1,703.03
    W-2(g) 1,770.71
    W-3(g) 1,822.47
    W-4(g) 1,928.66
    O-1(g) 1,703.03
    O-2(g) 1,761.43
    O-3(g) 1,882.19
    O-4 1,995.01
    O-5 2,195.47
    O-6 2,475.55
    O-7 2,671.96
    O-8 2,934.81
    O-9 3,139.21
    O-10 3,443.18
    O-10(c) 3,695.39
    Number of children Total payable Each child's share
    1 $680.94 $680.94
    2 979.58 489.79
    3 1,238.63 426.09