🎙️ VA COLA 2026: What Veterans Need to Know About the New Cost of Living Increase

Featuring Attorney Rebecca Demming (ProVet Legal)

Episode Overview

In this episode, we welcome back Attorney Rebecca Demming of ProVet Legal to break down the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and what it means for veterans receiving VA disability benefits. With inflation still affecting household budgets, this year’s COLA increase is especially important. Rebecca helps us understand the numbers, the process behind the rate, and how veterans can maximize the value of their benefits in 2026.

What You’ll Learn:

• What the 2026 COLA is and how it’s calculated
• How the COLA affects your monthly VA disability payments
• The projected or official rate for the 2026 increase
• How COLA ties into Social Security and other federal programs
• Why the COLA increase matters more than ever for disabled veterans
• Rebecca’s expert take on how to plan ahead for the increase

Guest Spotlight:

Rebecca Demming, Esq.
Veterans Law Attorney | Founder of ProVet Legal
Rebecca Demming returns with her deep knowledge of VA law and her passion for helping veterans understand their rights and benefits. Her firm, ProVet Legal, represents veterans across the country and specializes in appeals and disability compensation.

Why This Episode Matters:

Understanding the COLA increase can help veterans budget smarter and stay ahead of rising costs. This episode gives you the facts and expert insights you need to make informed decisions about your compensation and future planning.

Key Takeaways:

• COLA increases are essential for keeping VA payments in line with inflation
• The 2026 adjustment takes effect in January and applies to all disability ratings
• Veterans can see meaningful income increases based on their rating
• Knowing how COLA works can help you project your future benefits

Resources Mentioned:

• VA Disability Rates (VA.gov)
• Social Security COLA Information
• ProVet Legal: provetlegal.com
• Cost of Living Adjustment Explanation (SSA.gov)