- 11.13.2012
Senate approves Tester’s Veterans Cost-of-Living Increase
Senator’s bipartisan bill will put more money in veterans’ pockets
(U.S. SENATE) – The Senate today approved Senator Jon Tester’s bipartisan legislation to provide disabled veterans and survivors with a cost-of-living increase.
Tester’s bill matches the veterans’ benefit increase to the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) provided to Social Security recipients. It would help nearly four million veterans and their families and affect several important veterans’ benefits, including disability compensation and survivor benefits for spouses and children.
“Veterans fought hard for this country and earned all their benefits,” said Tester, Montana’s only member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “It’s my job to make sure those benefits keep pace with economic realities, and I will fight to improve the lives of veterans across Montana and the country.”
“Compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs is a major source of income for many veterans and their families, so adjusting those payments for inflation is absolutely necessary,” said Disabled American Veterans National Commander Larry A. Polzin. “We commend Sen. Tester for leading the charge on the COLA bill and helping to push it across the finish line.”
If signed into law, Tester’s measure would take effect December 1.
Tester helped pass a similar increase in veterans’ disability benefits last year. This year’s increase would mean an additional $500 in benefits for veterans and their families next year.