Veterans always get the same annual cost-of-living increase as Social Security recipients. But there’s no guarantee that will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why lawmakers are again pushing for new legislation that would permanently tie together the two rate increases together permanently<\/span>, and thus avoiding a potential payout hiccup if congressional politics stalls what is normally routine business benefits legislation<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this month, House lawmakers adopted the so-called “American Heroes COLA Act,” which would provide an automatic cost-of-living adjust for veterans benefits such as disability compensation, payouts for dependents, and other Veterans Affairs living allowances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Under current law, those annual increases are automatic for Social Security benefits, determined by the executive branch without intervention from Congress. But veterans benefits fall into a different category, one that requires lawmaker intervention each year to become law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The current process leaves veterans and their families, who depend on these benefits to make ends meet, in limbo until Washington actually passes legislation,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Ralph Abraham, a Louisiana Republican\u00a0R-La<\/span>. “(<\/span>This legislation bill) <\/span>would “end this uncertainty and \u2026 enable VA beneficiaries to better plan for their financial future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n