82_FR_12958 82 FR 12915 - Cost of Living Adjustments Effective December 1, 2016

82 FR 12915 - Cost of Living Adjustments Effective December 1, 2016

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 43 (March 7, 2017)

Page Range12915-12916
FR Document2017-04356

As required by law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hereby giving notice of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension, and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs. The rate of the adjustment is tied to the increase in Social Security benefits effective December 1, 2016, as announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA has announced an increase of 0.3%.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12915-12916]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04356]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Cost of Living Adjustments Effective December 1, 2016

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: As required by law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is 
hereby giving notice of cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) in certain 
benefit rates and income limitations. These COLAs affect the pension, 
and parents' dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) programs. The 
rate of the adjustment is tied to the increase in Social Security 
benefits effective December 1, 2016, as announced by the Social 
Security Administration (SSA). SSA has announced an increase of 0.3%.

DATES: The COLAs are effective December 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel McCargar, Pension Analyst, 
Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 
20420, (612-713-8911).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 5312 and 
section 306 of Public Law 95-588, VA is required to increase the 
benefit rates and income limitations in the pension and parents' DIC 
programs by the same percentage, and effective the same date, as 
increases in the benefit amounts payable under title II of the Social 
Security Act. The increased rates and income limitations are also 
required to be published in the Federal Register.
    The Social Security Administration has announced that there will be 
a 0.3% COLA increase in Social Security benefits effective December 1, 
2016. Therefore, applying the same percentage and rounding in 
accordance with 38 CFR 3.29, the following increased rates and income 
limitations for the VA pension and parents' DIC programs will be 
effective December 1, 2016:

Pension

Maximum Annual Rates

    (1) Veterans permanently and totally disabled (38 U.S.C. 1521):
Veteran with no dependents, $12,907
Veteran with one dependent, $16,902
For each additional dependent, $2,205
    (2) Veterans in need of aid and attendance (38 U.S.C. 1521):
Veteran with no dependents, $21,531
Veteran with one dependent, $25,525
For each additional dependent, $2,205
    (3) Veterans who are housebound (38 U.S.C. 1521):
Veteran with no dependents, $15,773
Veteran with one dependent, $19,770
For each additional dependent, $2,205
    (4) Two veterans married to one another, combined rates (38 U.S.C. 
1521):
Neither veteran in need of aid and attendance or housebound, $16,902
Either veteran in need of aid and attendance, $25,525
Both veterans in need of aid and attendance, $34,153
Either veteran housebound, $19,770
Both veterans housebound, $22,634
One veteran housebound and one veteran in need of aid and attendance, 
$28,385
For each dependent child, $2,205
Mexican border period and World War I veterans: The applicable maximum 
annual rate payable to a Mexican border period or World War I veteran 
under this table shall be increased by $2,932. (38 U.S.C. 1521(g))
    (5) Surviving spouse alone and with a child or children of the 
deceased veteran in custody of the surviving spouse (38 U.S.C. 1541):
Surviving spouse alone, $8,656
Surviving spouse and one child in his or her custody, $11,330
For each additional child in his or her custody, $2,205
    (6) Surviving spouses in need of aid and attendance (38 U.S.C. 
1541):
Surviving spouse alone, $13,836
Surviving spouse with one child in custody, $16,506
Surviving Spouse of Spanish-American War veteran alone, $14,397
Surviving Spouse of Spanish-American War veteran with one child in 
custody, $17,006
For each additional child in his or her custody, $2,205
    (7) Surviving spouses who are housebound (38 U.S.C. 1541):
Surviving spouse alone, $10,580
Surviving spouse and one child in his or her custody, $13,249
For each additional child in his or her custody, $2,205
    (8) Surviving child alone (38 U.S.C. 1542), $2,205
Reduction for income: The rate payable is the applicable maximum rate 
minus the countable annual income of the eligible person. (38 U.S.C. 
1521, 1541 and 1542).

Parents' DIC

    DIC shall be paid monthly to parents of a deceased veteran in the 
following amounts (38 U.S.C. 1315):
    One parent (38 U.S.C. 1315(b)): If there is only one parent, the 
monthly rate of DIC paid to such parent shall be $622 reduced on the 
basis of the parent's annual income according to the following formula:
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $0.00 but not more 
than $800, the $622 monthly rate shall not be reduced.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $800 but not more 
than $8,512, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.08.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $8,512 but not more 
than $8,513, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.04.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $8,513, the monthly 
rate will not be reduced.
    No Parents' DIC is payable under this table if annual income 
exceeds $14,680.
    One parent who has remarried: If there is only one parent and the 
parent has remarried and is living with the parent's spouse, DIC shall 
be paid under 38 U.S.C. 1315(b) or under 38 U.S.C. 1315(d), whichever 
shall result in the greater benefit being paid to the veteran's parent. 
In the case of remarriage, the total combined annual income of the 
parent and the parent's spouse shall be counted in determining the 
monthly rate of DIC.
    One of two parents not living with spouse (38 U.S.C. 1315(c)): The 
rates in Table 3 apply to (1) two parents who are

[[Page 12916]]

not living together, or (2) an unmarried parent when both parents are 
living and the other parent has remarried. The monthly rate of DIC paid 
to each such parent shall be $450 reduced on the basis of each parent's 
annual income, according to the following formula:
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $0 but not more 
than $800, the $450 monthly rate shall not be reduced.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $800 but not more 
than $900, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.06.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $900 but not more 
than $1,100, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.07.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $1,100 but not more 
than $6,412, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.08.
    For each $1 of annual income more than $6,412 but not more than 
$6,413, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.04.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $6,413, the monthly 
rate shall not be reduced.
    No Parents' DIC is payable under this table if annual income 
exceeds $14,680.
    One of two parents living with spouse or other parent (38 U.S.C. 
1315(d)): The rates below apply to each parent living with another 
parent; and each remarried parent, when both parents are alive. The 
monthly rate of DIC paid to such parents will be $423 reduced on the 
basis of the combined annual income of the two parents living together 
or the remarried parent or parents and spouse or spouses, as computed 
under the following formula:
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $0 but not more 
than $1,000, the $423 monthly rate shall not be reduced.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $1,000 but not more 
than $1,500, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.03.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $1,500 but not more 
than $1,900, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.04.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $1,900 but not more 
than $2,400, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.05.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $2,400 but not more 
than $2,900, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.06.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $2,900 but not more 
than $3,200, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.07.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $3,200 but not more 
than $7,087, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.08.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $7,087 but not more 
than $7,088, the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.04.
    For each $1 of annual income which is more than $7,088, the monthly 
rate shall not be reduced.
    No Parents' DIC is payable if the annual income exceeds $19,733.
    These rates are also applicable in the case of one surviving parent 
who has remarried, computed on the basis of the combined income of the 
parent and spouse, if this would be a greater benefit than that 
specified in Table 2 for one parent.
    Aid and attendance: The monthly rate of DIC payable to a parent 
under Tables 2 through 4 shall be increased by $337 if such parent is 
(1) a patient in a nursing home, or (2) helpless or blind, or so nearly 
helpless or blind as to need or require the regular aid and attendance 
of another person.
    Minimum rate: The monthly rate of DIC payable to any parent under 
Tables 2 through 4 shall not be less than $5.

Section 306 Pension Income Limitations

    Veteran or surviving spouse with no dependents, $14,680 (Pub. L. 
95-588, section 306(a))
    Veteran in need of aid and attendance with no dependents, $15,208 
(38 U.S.C. 1521(d) as in effect on December 31, 1978
    Veteran or surviving spouse with one or more dependents, $19,733 
(Pub. L. 95-588, section 306(a))
    Veteran in need of aid and attendance with one or more dependents, 
$20,260 (38 U.S.C. 1521(d) as in effect on December 31, 1978)
    Child (no entitled veteran or surviving spouse), $12,003 (Pub. L. 
95-588, section 306(a))
    Spouse income exclusion (38 CFR 3.262), $4,688 (Pub. L. 95-588, 
section 306(a)(2)(B))

Old-Law Pension Income Limitations

    Veteran or surviving spouse without dependents or an entitled 
child, $12,854 (Pub. L. 95-588, section 306(b))
    Veteran or surviving spouse with one or more dependents, $18,528 
(Pub. L. 95-588, section 306(b))
    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina S. 
Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, 
approved this document on February 16, 2017, for publication.

    Dated: February 16, 2017.
Jeffrey Martin,
Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, 
Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-04356 Filed 3-6-17; 8:45 a.m.]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 43 / Tuesday, March 7, 2017 / Notices 12915 verify that a Filipino veteran or 306 of Public Law 95–588, VA is (6) Surviving spouses in need of aid beneficiary who is receiving benefits at required to increase the benefit rates and attendance (38 U.S.C. 1541): the full-dollar rate based on U.S. and income limitations in the pension Surviving spouse alone, $13,836 residency continues to meet the and parents’ DIC programs by the same Surviving spouse with one child in residency requirements. The proper rate percentage, and effective the same date, custody, $16,506 of payment could not be determined as increases in the benefit amounts Surviving Spouse of Spanish-American without this information. payable under title II of the Social War veteran alone, $14,397 An agency may not conduct or Security Act. The increased rates and Surviving Spouse of Spanish-American sponsor, and a person is not required to income limitations are also required to War veteran with one child in respond to a collection of information be published in the Federal Register. custody, $17,006 unless it displays a currently valid OMB The Social Security Administration For each additional child in his or her control number. The Federal Register has announced that there will be a 0.3% custody, $2,205 Notice with a 60-day comment period COLA increase in Social Security (7) Surviving spouses who are soliciting comments on this collection benefits effective December 1, 2016. housebound (38 U.S.C. 1541): of information was published at 81 FR Therefore, applying the same percentage Surviving spouse alone, $10,580 240, on Dec 14, 2016, pages 90411 and and rounding in accordance with 38 Surviving spouse and one child in his 90412. CFR 3.29, the following increased rates or her custody, $13,249 Affected Public: Individuals or and income limitations for the VA For each additional child in his or her Households. pension and parents’ DIC programs will custody, $2,205 Estimated Annual Burden: 417. be effective December 1, 2016: (8) Surviving child alone (38 U.S.C. Estimated Average Burden per 1542), $2,205 Respondent: 20 minutes. Pension Reduction for income: The rate payable Frequency of Response: One time. Maximum Annual Rates is the applicable maximum rate minus Estimated Number of Respondents: the countable annual income of the (1) Veterans permanently and totally eligible person. (38 U.S.C. 1521, 1541 1,250. disabled (38 U.S.C. 1521): and 1542). By direction of the Secretary. Veteran with no dependents, $12,907 Cynthia Harvey-Pryor, Veteran with one dependent, $16,902 Parents’ DIC Department Clearance Officer, Office of For each additional dependent, $2,205 DIC shall be paid monthly to parents Privacy and Records Management, (2) Veterans in need of aid and of a deceased veteran in the following Department of Veterans Affairs. attendance (38 U.S.C. 1521): amounts (38 U.S.C. 1315): [FR Doc. 2017–04345 Filed 3–6–17; 8:45 am] Veteran with no dependents, $21,531 One parent (38 U.S.C. 1315(b)): If BILLING CODE 8320–01–P Veteran with one dependent, $25,525 there is only one parent, the monthly For each additional dependent, $2,205 rate of DIC paid to such parent shall be (3) Veterans who are housebound (38 $622 reduced on the basis of the DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS U.S.C. 1521): parent’s annual income according to the AFFAIRS Veteran with no dependents, $15,773 following formula: Veteran with one dependent, $19,770 For each $1 of annual income which Cost of Living Adjustments Effective For each additional dependent, $2,205 is more than $0.00 but not more than December 1, 2016 (4) Two veterans married to one $800, the $622 monthly rate shall not be AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. another, combined rates (38 U.S.C. reduced. 1521): For each $1 of annual income which ACTION: Notice. Neither veteran in need of aid and is more than $800 but not more than SUMMARY: As required by law, the attendance or housebound, $16,902 $8,512, the monthly rate shall be Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is Either veteran in need of aid and reduced by $0.08. hereby giving notice of cost-of-living attendance, $25,525 For each $1 of annual income which adjustments (COLAs) in certain benefit Both veterans in need of aid and is more than $8,512 but not more than rates and income limitations. These attendance, $34,153 $8,513, the monthly rate shall be COLAs affect the pension, and parents’ Either veteran housebound, $19,770 reduced by $0.04. dependency and indemnity Both veterans housebound, $22,634 For each $1 of annual income which compensation (DIC) programs. The rate One veteran housebound and one is more than $8,513, the monthly rate of the adjustment is tied to the increase veteran in need of aid and attendance, will not be reduced. in Social Security benefits effective $28,385 No Parents’ DIC is payable under this December 1, 2016, as announced by the For each dependent child, $2,205 table if annual income exceeds $14,680. Social Security Administration (SSA). Mexican border period and World War One parent who has remarried: If SSA has announced an increase of I veterans: The applicable maximum there is only one parent and the parent 0.3%. annual rate payable to a Mexican border has remarried and is living with the period or World War I veteran under parent’s spouse, DIC shall be paid under The COLAs are effective DATES: this table shall be increased by $2,932. 38 U.S.C. 1315(b) or under 38 U.S.C. December 1, 2016. (38 U.S.C. 1521(g)) 1315(d), whichever shall result in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (5) Surviving spouse alone and with greater benefit being paid to the Daniel McCargar, Pension Analyst, a child or children of the deceased veteran’s parent. In the case of sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans veteran in custody of the surviving remarriage, the total combined annual Benefits Administration, Department of spouse (38 U.S.C. 1541): income of the parent and the parent’s Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue Surviving spouse alone, $8,656 spouse shall be counted in determining NW., Washington, DC 20420, (612–713– Surviving spouse and one child in his the monthly rate of DIC. 8911). or her custody, $11,330 One of two parents not living with SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the For each additional child in his or her spouse (38 U.S.C. 1315(c)): The rates in provisions of 38 U.S.C. 5312 and section custody, $2,205 Table 3 apply to (1) two parents who are VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Mar 06, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00134 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1

12916 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 43 / Tuesday, March 7, 2017 / Notices not living together, or (2) an unmarried For each $1 of annual income which Department of Veterans Affairs, parent when both parents are living and is more than $3,200 but not more than approved this document on February the other parent has remarried. The $7,087, the monthly rate shall be 16, 2017, for publication. monthly rate of DIC paid to each such reduced by $0.08. Dated: February 16, 2017. parent shall be $450 reduced on the For each $1 of annual income which Jeffrey Martin, basis of each parent’s annual income, is more than $7,087 but not more than Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation according to the following formula: $7,088, the monthly rate shall be Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, For each $1 of annual income which reduced by $0.04. Department of Veterans Affairs. is more than $0 but not more than $800, For each $1 of annual income which [FR Doc. 2017–04356 Filed 3–6–17; 8:45 a.m.] the $450 monthly rate shall not be is more than $7,088, the monthly rate BILLING CODE 8320–01–P reduced. shall not be reduced. For each $1 of annual income which No Parents’ DIC is payable if the is more than $800 but not more than annual income exceeds $19,733. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS $900, the monthly rate shall be reduced These rates are also applicable in the AFFAIRS by $0.06. case of one surviving parent who has For each $1 of annual income which remarried, computed on the basis of the combined income of the parent and [OMB Control No. 2900–0114] is more than $900 but not more than $1,100, the monthly rate shall be spouse, if this would be a greater benefit Agency Information Collection reduced by $0.07. than that specified in Table 2 for one Activity: Statement of Marital For each $1 of annual income which parent. Aid and attendance: The monthly rate Relationship (VA Form 21–4170) is more than $1,100 but not more than $6,412, the monthly rate shall be of DIC payable to a parent under Tables AGENCY: Veterans Benefits reduced by $0.08. 2 through 4 shall be increased by $337 Administration, Department of Veterans For each $1 of annual income more if such parent is (1) a patient in a Affairs. than $6,412 but not more than $6,413, nursing home, or (2) helpless or blind, or so nearly helpless or blind as to need ACTION: Notice. the monthly rate shall be reduced by $0.04. or require the regular aid and attendance of another person. SUMMARY: The Veterans Benefits For each $1 of annual income which Administration (VBA), Department of is more than $6,413, the monthly rate Minimum rate: The monthly rate of DIC payable to any parent under Tables Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an shall not be reduced. opportunity for public comment on the No Parents’ DIC is payable under this 2 through 4 shall not be less than $5. proposed collection of certain table if annual income exceeds $14,680. Section 306 Pension Income Limitations information by the agency. Under the One of two parents living with spouse Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of Veteran or surviving spouse with no or other parent (38 U.S.C. 1315(d)): The 1995, Federal agencies are required to dependents, $14,680 (Pub. L. 95–588, rates below apply to each parent living publish notice in the Federal Register section 306(a)) with another parent; and each remarried Veteran in need of aid and attendance concerning each proposed collection of parent, when both parents are alive. The with no dependents, $15,208 (38 U.S.C. information, including each proposed monthly rate of DIC paid to such parents 1521(d) as in effect on December 31, revision of a currently approved will be $423 reduced on the basis of the 1978 collection, and allow 60 days for public combined annual income of the two Veteran or surviving spouse with one comment in response to the notice. parents living together or the remarried or more dependents, $19,733 (Pub. L. VA Form 21–4170 is used to gather parent or parents and spouse or spouses, 95–588, section 306(a)) information that is necessary to as computed under the following Veteran in need of aid and attendance determine whether a valid common law formula: with one or more dependents, $20,260 marriage was established. The form is For each $1 of annual income which (38 U.S.C. 1521(d) as in effect on used by persons claiming to be common is more than $0 but not more than December 31, 1978) law widows/widowers of deceased $1,000, the $423 monthly rate shall not Child (no entitled veteran or surviving veterans and by veterans and their be reduced. spouse), $12,003 (Pub. L. 95–588, claimed common law spouses. Benefits For each $1 of annual income which section 306(a)) cannot be authorized unless a valid is more than $1,000 but not more than Spouse income exclusion (38 CFR marriage is established. $1,500, the monthly rate shall be 3.262), $4,688 (Pub. L. 95–588, section reduced by $0.03. DATES: Written comments and 306(a)(2)(B)) recommendations on the proposed For each $1 of annual income which is more than $1,500 but not more than Old-Law Pension Income Limitations collection of information should be $1,900, the monthly rate shall be Veteran or surviving spouse without received on or before May 8, 2017. reduced by $0.04. dependents or an entitled child, $12,854 ADDRESSES: Submit written comments For each $1 of annual income which (Pub. L. 95–588, section 306(b)) on the collection of information through is more than $1,900 but not more than Veteran or surviving spouse with one Federal Docket Management System $2,400, the monthly rate shall be or more dependents, $18,528 (Pub. L. (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to reduced by $0.05. 95–588, section 306(b)) Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits For each $1 of annual income which The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or Administration (20M33), Department of sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES is more than $2,400 but not more than designee, approved this document and Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue $2,900, the monthly rate shall be authorized the undersigned to sign and NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to reduced by $0.06. submit the document to the Office of the nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to For each $1 of annual income which Federal Register for publication ‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0114’’ in any is more than $2,900 but not more than electronically as an official document of correspondence. During the comment $3,200, the monthly rate shall be the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina period, comments may be viewed online reduced by $0.07. S. Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff, through the FDMS. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:01 Mar 06, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00135 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07MRN1.SGM 07MRN1


Document Created: 2018-02-01 14:48:47
Document Modified: 2018-02-01 14:48:47
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesThe COLAs are effective December 1, 2016.
ContactDaniel McCargar, Pension Analyst, Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420, (612-713-8911).
FR Citation82 FR 12915 
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