November 17, 2005
Contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) The U.S. Senate and the House yesterday passed one of the largest increases in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for veterans in recent memory. The bill (S. 1234), sponsored in the Senate by Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Larry Craig, now goes to President Bush for his signature.

"This is the largest increase since 1991," said Sen. Larry Craig, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "For those veterans who are 100 percent disabled, their compensation will increase by approximately $1,100 for 2006, up from $27,588 to $28,716. I am hopeful that the increase will help with higher fuel and other costs which have gone up."

The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index. Veterans will see the increase in their January 1, 2006, paychecks.

According to VA officials, nearly 2.6 million veterans with service-connected disabilities will benefit from Craig's efforts. Among the veterans estimated to receive such compensation are 12 World War I veterans; 347,126 World War II veterans; 162,549 Korean-conflict veterans; 944,799 Vietnam-era veterans; and 639,690 veterans of the Persian Gulf War era.

Surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths were service-connected and their children will benefit from the increase, as will surviving spouses who are so disabled that they need aid or are permanently housebound.

The funding increase will also benefit surviving children who are between 18 and 22 and are seeking higher education in an approved educational program.

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