VA disability pay dates 2026
VA pays compensation at the beginning of each month for the previous month[va8764]. When the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deposit has come on the business day before. Dates marked * are moved for that reason.
| Benefit month | Expected payment date |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Fri, Jan 30, 2026 * |
| February 2026 | Fri, Feb 27, 2026 * |
| March 2026 | Wed, Apr 1, 2026 |
| April 2026 | Fri, May 1, 2026 |
| May 2026 | Mon, Jun 1, 2026 |
| June 2026 | Wed, Jul 1, 2026 |
| July 2026 | Fri, Jul 31, 2026 * |
| August 2026 | Tue, Sep 1, 2026 |
| September 2026 | Thu, Oct 1, 2026 |
| October 2026 | Fri, Oct 30, 2026 * |
| November 2026 | Tue, Dec 1, 2026 |
| December 2026 | Thu, Dec 31, 2026 * |
VA disability pay dates 2027
| Benefit month | Expected payment date |
|---|---|
| January 2027 | Mon, Feb 1, 2027 |
| February 2027 | Mon, Mar 1, 2027 |
| March 2027 | Thu, Apr 1, 2027 |
| April 2027 | Fri, Apr 30, 2027 * |
| May 2027 | Tue, Jun 1, 2027 |
| June 2027 | Thu, Jul 1, 2027 |
| July 2027 | Fri, Jul 30, 2027 * |
| August 2027 | Wed, Sep 1, 2027 |
| September 2027 | Fri, Oct 1, 2027 |
| October 2027 | Mon, Nov 1, 2027 |
| November 2027 | Wed, Dec 1, 2027 |
| December 2027 | Thu, Dec 30, 2027 * |
These dates come from the payment rule and the federal holiday calendar[opm]; your bank may post the deposit a day or two earlier. VA does not publish a separate calendar.
When the 2027 COLA shows up
The 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment applies to benefits from December 1, 2026[ssacola]. Because VA pays in arrears, the first larger deposit is the one for December, paid on Thu, Dec 31, 2026. The estimated new amounts are on the VA disability pay chart; to estimate your own, use the VA disability calculator.
First payment after a decision
- After a rating decision of at least 10%, VA usually sends the first payment, including any back pay from your effective date, within about 15 days[varates].
- Regular monthly payments then follow the schedule above.
- Payments begin with the first full month after the effective date; VA does not pay for the month the award becomes effective.
VA disability pay dates vs military paydays
VA compensation is paid once a month. Active-duty and reserve pay comes twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th; compare on the military pay dates page.
Frequently asked questions
When will I get my VA disability payment in December 2026?
The payment for November 2026 arrives on Tue, Dec 1, 2026. The payment for December 2026, the first with the 3.6% COLA, arrives on Thu, Dec 31, 2026.
Why did my VA payment come early?
When the 1st of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, the payment is made the business day before. Some banks also post federal deposits early.
Does VA pay disability on the 1st?
Yes, at the beginning of each month for the month before, unless the 1st is not a business day.