The Social Security Administration (SSA) has said that veterans will get different disability payments starting December 1, 2024. The goal of this 2.5% raise is to bring benefits up to speed with the rate of inflation. It will have a direct effect on the payments that beneficiaries get based on their disability rating.
This change will affect thousands of veterans who depend on this help, as well as their families, who may get extra help based on how much they depend on it. Take a closer look at how this raise works and how much each beneficiary will get based on their family situation.
How disability benefits for veterans are determined
Veterans get disability payments based on a rating of their disability given by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This rating affects not only the monthly amount veterans get, but also their ability to get other benefits, such as medical care and help for family members. Dependents who are eligible can be the veteran’s partner, minor children, children over 18 who are in school, and in some cases, the veteran’s parents.
There is a different benefit amount for each type of dependent, and a veteran’s monthly benefit may go up if they meet the standards for a special disability payment. This change is made every year to make sure that benefits are in line with the cost of living. For veterans with a 60% disability rating, this year’s rise is one of the biggest.
Specific increases by type of dependent
The updated amount for veterans with a 60% disability rating varies based on family circumstances. Below are the updated figures for 2025 for some of the most common types of beneficiaries:
- Veteran without dependents: $1,395.93
- Veteran with spouse and no dependents: $1,424.05
- Veteran with spouse and child: $1,617.33
- Veteran with one child: $1,481.00
- Veteran with one parent: $1,498.43
- Veteran with two parents: $1,600.93
- Veteran with spouse and one parent: $1,626.55
- Veteran with spouse, two parents, and one child: $1,822.33
People who have more than one child can get an extra $63.55 for each child under 18 and an extra $205.00 for each child over 18 who is involved in an approved educational program. In addition, if the veteran’s partner needs extra help, they may get an extra $116.85.
Additional benefits: unemployability and medical coverage
Veterans with a grade of 60% or higher may be able to get other benefits as well as disability payments, especially if their situation makes it impossible for them to find work.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is the name of this type of help that lets soldiers get paid at a 100% disability rate. TDIU not only raises monthly pay to $3,261.95, but it also offers other perks, such as help paying for dependents’ schooling and health insurance through the CHAMPVA program.
Veterans who meet certain requirements can get this help: they must have a single handicap rated at 60% or higher, or they must have multiple disabilities rated at least 70% together. This makes sure that people whose health makes it impossible for them to work can get extra money to help them out.
Why a 60% rating is significant
The 60% grade is a very important level for many veterans who want to get more benefits. This minimum grade lets veterans apply for TDIU, which gives a lot of money to people who are having a hard time finding or keeping a job because of a disability related to their service.
With a 60% rating, veterans can also get free medical care for conditions related to their time in the military, as well as free medications and reimbursement for journey costs to medical appointments.
This coverage is a lifeline for the veteran and their family because it lets them get the treatment they need without having to pay for it. This greatly improves the quality of life for those who count on these benefits.
How to apply for TDIU for disabled veterans
Vets who want to apply for TDIU should make sure they have all the medical proof they need to show they can’t work because of their condition. The paperwork needs to be sent to the VA, and there may be more interviews and tests that need to be done. The process can be long, but getting into TDIU can lead to a lot of money, about the same as what veterans with a 100% grade get.
The VA meets the current financial needs of soldiers and their families with the Cost-of-Living Adjustment and higher disability benefits. This boost not only helps veterans pay their daily bills, but it also strengthens their support network to make sure they get the care and perks they deserve.
Veterans can find out more about these benefits on the VA’s website or by calling a benefits help representative, who can also give them personalized advice on their rights and the steps they need to take to apply for benefits.
Also See:- Legendary U.S. company filed for bankruptcy and will close at least 70 stores