Veterans with families rely heavily on VA disability payments to cover essential expenses like housing, groceries, and childcare. Even small rate changes impact daily life. Wondering what to expect in VA disability rates next year? Projections suggest a lower COLA increase—possibly around 3.2%—compared to 2024’s 8.7%. That means smaller monthly checks, despite rising costs. Veterans are urged to plan ahead, review their ratings, and explore state benefits or side income options.
Why Veterans With Families Live By VA Disability Changes
Let’s call it what it is—when VA disability payments move even by a few bucks, it throws off the budget. Big time. Especially when you’ve got a spouse and kids riding on that money too. Veterans with dependents don’t just care “if” there’s a rate increase—they care how much it matters in real life dollars.
Here’s what gets hit when the monthly rate changes:
- Housing payments or rent
- Grocery money (inflation is wild)
- Utility bills
- Clothing for growing kids
- Medical expenses for dependents
- Debt payments (most of us got some from transition period)
When you’re 70% or 100% VA rated, you’re not having a “what if” conversation—you’re literally planning birthdays, transportation, and school supplies around that check.
If you’re not also watching your credit health, check out our post on why your credit score might be dropping. That ties in heavy with budgeting around VA disability income.
What To Expect in VA Disability Rates Next Year
Now let’s not sugarcoat anything. Historically, VA disability rate changes follow the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)—which is tied to Social Security.
If inflation is high, COLA usually bumps disability payments up. But in 2024? Inflation’s cooling off. That could mean a smaller increase coming your way next year if things keep trending this direction.
Here’s a simple table if you wanna see how it looked recently and how VA disability rates impact veterans with families depending on how many dependents you’ve got:
| Disability Rating | Veteran Only (monthly) | With Spouse & Child (monthly) | 2023 Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | $1,716 | $1,932 | 8.7% |
| 90% | $2,172 | $2,447 | 8.7% |
| 100% | $3,621.95 | $3,946.25 | 8.7% |
Now imagine that’s not an 8.7% bump in 2024… but a 3.2% bump. That’s what’s being projected as of late summer reports. Not confirmed yet—but that’s what’s floating around.
If you’ve got bills stretching from the 1st to the 31st, that hurts.
How VA Disability Rates Impact Veterans With Families—In Real Life
I talked to an Army vet out of Texas last week. Wife, 3 kids. Rated 90% but still fighting for his 100%. He said straight up, “If they don’t raise this at least with inflation, I’m cutting back on therapies for my daughter just to make rent.” That’s exactly where the problem is. When VA disability rates don’t match real-world prices, it’s not just about discomfort—it’s about survival. I’ve got another buddy out in Ohio—Marine, 80% rating with a spouse and one kid. His monthly check paid half his mortgage in 2022. Now? Covers maybe 35% of the mortgage. That’s the veiled cost no one talks about. Because disabled doesn’t mean incapable—it means you earned help. It should rise to keep up with what life throws at your family, especially with the economy being what it is.
How Veterans Can Prep for Next Year’s Disability Rate Shift
You’re not powerless—not even close.
Here’s what I’d advise before the official rate changes hit:
- Plan smart: Assume COLA is gonna be smaller next year. Don’t wait for the check to drop before you adjust.
- Audit your spend: Pull those bank statements, highlight all the leaks. Stop giving away cash to monthly “meh” subscriptions.
- Hit your claim review: If your disability’s gotten worse, or you’ve got secondary issues, file for an increase. Bigger rating = bigger cash.
- Lean into state benefits: Don’t sleep on those. Property tax relief, discounted public services, sometimes even free tuition for the kids.
- Side hustle if health allows: Don’t knock extra income if it won’t affect your rating. Even light remote work might lift your monthly.
And if you’ve got goals to invest using that income, passive income might be your next logical step—check our breakdown of how passive income changes your life.
Your Family’s Needs Don’t Wait—Why This Matters Now
I get it. The check hits on the 1st. Every morning that week is already spoken for—car note, insurance, rent, food. There’s no luxury buffer when your family runs on structured VA funds. So when VA disability rates change, your family feels it immediately. What’s wild is Congress doesn’t feel the urgency we do. Their approval of the annual COLA adjustment feels like a backroom delay game. So we gotta anticipate—months before it hits. Here’s the trick: Stay informed, stay ahead. And we’ve got weekly blog content to help you stay on top of stuff that affects vets and families financially. Real knowledge, none of the sugar coating. Start with short-term rental tips for military veterans if you’re thinking of adding income streams next year.
FAQs
Will VA disability rates increase in 2025?
Most likely—yes. They usually go up with inflation via COLA. But the percentage of increase can vary. 2024 had an 8.7% hike. Next year might only see around a 3.2%-3.4% increase—if even that.
How do VA disability rates impact veterans with families the most?
They hit housing, food, and school budget hard. Families count on that money not just for care—but to pay basic bills. Any increase or slow-down affects the family rhythm directly.
Can you increase your VA rating if your condition worsens?
Absolutely. File for a re-evaluation. If an existing condition has worsened, or you’ve developed a secondary condition, you might qualify for a higher rating—which means more money monthly.
Do dependents increase VA disability pay?
Yep. The more dependents—spouse, children, even dependent parents—the higher your monthly payout if you’re rated 30% or more.
Conclusion:
VA disability rates aren’t just numbers—they shape how veterans with families live day to day. With signs pointing to a smaller COLA increase in 2025, now’s the time to prepare. Whether it’s adjusting your budget, reviewing your claim, or exploring state benefits, staying proactive is key. Your family’s stability depends on it. Want to stay ahead of what to expect in VA disability rates next year? Follow our blog for real updates that matter.