{
  "id": 15045885,
  "title": "VA Benefits Will Get COLA Boost, Some Veterans Worry It's Not Enough",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/va-benefits-will-get-cola-boost-some-veterans-worry-its-not-enough",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-16T21:04:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/va-benefits-will-get-cola-boost-some-veterans-worry-its-not-enough-12582123"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Veterans will see a 3.6 percent increase in their disability benefits next year, following the federal government's announcement on Wednesday. The boost, which will also apply to VA disability compensation once Congress approves the necessary legislation, will be the largest in nearly two years. However, some recipients are concerned the adjustment may not be sufficient to offset rising everyday expenses. Experts note that the COLA measures average price increases, not the specific cost burdens experienced by individual veterans. While a larger COLA reflects inflation on everyday costs, it does not guarantee that veterans will receive enough additional money to cover their expenses. Many veterans live paycheck to paycheck and fear the 3.6 percent increase won't be enough to cover their monthly bills.",
  "summary": "The 3.6 percent COLA will also apply to Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}