2026 VA Disability Payment Schedule

If you receive Department of Veterans Affairs disability payments, then for 2026, you received a 2.8% raise in your benefits. These are the dates you get those monthly checks.

Disability benefit payments for a particular month are paid on the first business day of the following month. When the first day of that month falls on a non-business day or a holiday, VA benefits will be paid on the last business day of the preceding month.

Here is the VA disability payment schedule for 2026 to help you plan your finances.

2026 VA Disability Payment Schedule

What are the Monthly VA Payment Benefits?

VA Disability Pay

VA disability pay or disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment given to veterans with a service-related disability and an “other than dishonorable” discharge. Those veterans may qualify for a tax-free, monthly benefit ranging from $180 to over $4,000. Learn about applying for VA disability pay and benefits.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monthly benefit for some surviving family members of veterans. It is paid to the eligible survivors of a military member who died while on active duty, a veteran whose death was the result of a service-connected injury or disease or a veteran whose death wasn’t related to their service but who was rated as permanently and totally disabled by VA. Learn more about DIC payments.

Veterans and Survivors Pension Compensation

The Veterans and Survivors Pension compensations are paid to eligible low-income veterans or their surviving family members. Learn more about the veterans pension and the survivors pension.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is a tax-free monthly payment given in addition to VA disability pay to eligible veterans who suffered the loss of or loss of use of specific organs or extremities due to service. Read more about Special Monthly Compensation.

Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits

Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits are a tax-free benefit paid in addition to monthly VA disability to cover the cost of in-house care, nursing home care and assisted living. Read more about Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits.

Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits

Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.