[RETVET-INFO] Veterans to Receive 1.5 Percent Cost-of-Living Increase

From: RETVET-INFO@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <RetVet-Info@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2013 15:49:46 -0600
Veterans to Receive 1.5 Percent Cost-of-Living Increase


December 4, 2013

 

New Rates for Compensation and Pension Benefits in 2014 

WASHINGTON - Veterans, their families and survivors receiving disability
compensation and pension benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs will
receive a 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase in their monthly payments
beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

 

"We're pleased there will be another cost-of-living increase for Veterans, their
families and their survivors," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.
Shinseki. "The increase expresses in a tangible way our Nation's gratitude for
the sacrifices made by our service-disabled and wartime Veterans."

 

For the first time, payments will not be rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Until this year, that was required by law. Veterans and survivors will see
additional cents included in their monthly compensation benefit payment. 

 

For Veterans without dependents, the new compensation rates will range from
$130.94 monthly for a disability rated at 10 percent to $2,858.24 monthly for
100 percent. The full rates are available on the Internet at
www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/rates-index.asp.

 

The COLA increase also applies to disability and death pension recipients,
survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation, disabled Veterans
receiving automobile and clothing allowances, and other benefits. 

 

Under federal law, cost-of-living adjustments for VA's compensation and pension
must match those for Social Security benefits. The last adjustment was in
January 2013 when the Social Security benefits rate increased 1.7 percent.

 

In fiscal year 2013, VA provided over $59 billion in compensation benefits to
nearly 4 million Veterans and survivors, and over $5 billion in pension benefits
to more than 515,000 Veterans and survivors. 

 

For Veterans and separating Servicemembers who plan to file an electronic
disability claim, VA urges them to use the joint DoD/VA online portal,
eBenefits. Registered eBenefits users with a premium account can file a claim
online, track the status, and access a variety of other benefits, including
pension, education, health care, home loan eligibility, and vocational
rehabilitation and employment programs.

 

For more information about VA benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov
<http://www.benefits.va.gov/> , or call 1-800-827-1000.

# # #

  _____  

 

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updated fact sheets can subscribe to the 
VA Office of Public Affairs Distribution List
<http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/opa_listserv.asp> .

 

 

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SOURCE:  VA News Release at
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2503

 

 

 

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[RETVET-INFO] Veterans to Receive 1.5 Percent Cost-of-Living Increase

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