SERVING
Those That
SERVED
Questions & Answers
INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question carefully. If you are able to answer question appropriately use the form below the question to respond. Your name will not appear on the public answer page. Only your initials and date of your response will be visible.
Q631: The VA should raise our benefits every year the same as Social Security. Why Not? What I am getting cannot pay my mortgage loan that my husband left me with. When he was alive, we did not have any problems, now that he is gone, his two benefits were taken away which left me hopeless and almost homeless. Can I have an answer?
If you have a question about benefits, compensation, pension or VA related issues please submit here.
Use Form Below To Respond
Your generous gift will go directly to helping veterans and dependents. We simply cannot continue without your help for our community of veterans and dependents who count on us for our Veteran Pantry. Your support will make a lasting impact.
A1: I think it should be increased every year, the cost of living keeps increasing so the benefits should as well. (JW) 1/9/21
A2: Social Security and VA both increased by 1.3% for 2021. (MM) 1/9/21
A3: Contact a Veteran Service Officer in your county or through the DAV, VFW, or American Legion to address your question and help you get what you qualify for. (LC) 1/9/21
A4: VA disability rates ae increased each year by an amount equal to the percentage increase in Social Security (and retired military pay). Benefits paid to a veteran for disabilities generally are not paid to the surviving spouse. If, however, your husband was 100% disabled, total and permanent (T&P), for a period of eight years before his death, you should be able to apply Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which would be at least $1357 monthly. There is also a Survivors Pension, which has income and net worth limits, information about which can be found here: https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension/ Information on the amount of the Survivor's Pension can be found here: https://www.va.gov/pension/survivors-pension-rates/ Other than these provisions, I know of no other benefits. (MC) 1/9/21
A5: Yes. (JB) 1/9/21
A6: Every time there is an increase in the COLA (even at a small %), I always get the increase in both my Soc. Sec. as well as my V.A. benefits. Not sure why this isn't happening for you. (GO) 1/9/21
A7: Yes. (ROW) 1/10/21
A8: Please, if you haven't already, go to Social Services. (WG) 1/10/21
A9: The V.A. Disability payment is increased by the same increase by the same percentage that Social Security is increased by. Most Spouses don't go with the Veteran when the disability claim is filed. The Spouses then don't know the way disability is paid. The disability benefit payment is for the Veteran and when the Veteran passes the
Disability payment all so stops. Now the Spouse is left in the dark of what to do and most of them don't. From your question I am thinking you must be receiving Dependent Indemnity Compensation which is referred to as DIC, which is about a third of the Disability Payment which is a big drop in income. Not knowing more about your current situation this is the best answer I can give you now. (GR) 1/10/21
A10: Unfortunately, it's not up to the VA to raise our compensation rate. How much we get is determined by the federal budget, which includes funding for all aspects of the VA, from employees to health care to compensation and pension amounts. If you want an increase, your best bet is to start with your US senators and representative. (HS) 1/11/21