82 FR 61670 - Cost-of-Living Adjustments Effective December 1, 2017
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 248 (December 28, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 248 (December 28, 2017)
| Page Range | 61670-61671 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27991 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 248 (Thursday, December 28, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 61670-61671] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27991] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Cost-of-Living Adjustments Effective December 1, 2017 AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As required by law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hereby giving notice of cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in certain benefit rates. These COLAs affect the dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) program. The rate of the adjustment is tied to the increase in Social Security benefits, effective December 1, 2017, as announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA has announced an increase of 2.0 percent. DATES: The COLAs are effective December 1, 2017. 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: The provisions of Public Law 115-75, ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017,'' require VA to increase the benefit rates of 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, effective December 1, 2017. VA must also publish the increased rates in the Federal Register. SSA has announced a 2.0 percent COLA increase in Social Security benefits, effective December 1, 2017. Therefore, applying the same [[Page 61671]] percentage, the following increased rates and income limitations for the DIC program will be effective December 1, 2017: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Monthly Payment Rates DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse--Veteran Death on or After January 1, 1993 Basic Monthly Rate: $1,283.11. If at the time of the Veteran's death, the Veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8 years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse was married to the Veteran for those same 8 years, add $272.46. For each dependent child under the age of 18, add $317.87. If the surviving spouse is entitled to aid and attendance benefits, add $317.87. If the surviving spouse is entitled to housebound benefits, add $148.91. If the surviving spouse has one or more children under the age of 18 on the award, add the 2-year transitional benefit of $270.00 (no change to this rate as a result of the round-down in 38 U.S.C. 1311(f)(4)). DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse--Veteran Death Prior to January 1, 1993 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Veteran paygrade Amount payable ------------------------------------------------------------------------ E-1(f).................................................. 1,283.11 E-2(f).................................................. 1,283.11 E-3(a,f)................................................ 1,283.11 E-4(f).................................................. 1,283.11 E-5(f).................................................. 1,283.11 E-6(f).................................................. 1,283.11 E-7(g).................................................. 1,327.47 E-8(g).................................................. 1,401.40 E-9(g).................................................. 1,461.59 E-9(b).................................................. 1,577.76 W-1(g).................................................. 1,354.93 W-2(g).................................................. 1,408.78 W-3(g).................................................. 1,449.97 W-4(g).................................................. 1,534.46 O-1(g).................................................. 1,354.93 O-2(g).................................................. 1,401.40 O-3(g).................................................. 1,497.49 O-4..................................................... 1,587.25 O-5..................................................... 1,746.72 O-6..................................................... 1,969.56 O-7..................................................... 2,125.84 O-8..................................................... 2,334.95 O-9..................................................... 2,497.58 O-10.................................................... 2,739.41 O-10(c)................................................. 2,940.07 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (a) Surviving spouse of Aviation Cadet or other service not covered by this table is paid the DIC rate for enlisted E-3. (b) Veteran who served as Sergeant Major of the Army or Marine Corps, Senior Enlisted Advisor of the Navy, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, or Commandant of the Marine Corps, or as Commandant of the Coast Guard. (c) Veteran served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army or Air Force, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or as Commandant of the Coast Guard. (d) If surviving spouse entitled to aid and attendance, add $317.87; if entitled to housebound, add $148.91. (e) Add $317.87 for each child under 18. (f) Add $272.46 if Veteran rated totally disabled for 8 continuous years prior to death, and surviving spouse was married to Veteran those same 8 years. (g) Base rate is $1,555.57 if Veteran was rated totally disabled 8 continuous years prior to death, and surviving spouse was married to Veteran those same 8 years. DIC Payable to Children Surviving Spouse Entitled For each child over the age of 18 who is attending an approved course of education, the rate is $269.30. For each child over the age of 18 who is helpless, the rate is $541.76. No Surviving Spouse Entitled ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Each Number of children Total child's payable share ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1................................................... $541.76 $541.76 2................................................... 779.37 389.69 3................................................... 1,016.99 399.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ For each additional child, add $193.27 to the total payable. For each additional helpless child over 18, add $317.87 to the total payable. Signing Authority 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 December 14, 2017, for publication. Dated: December 14, 2017. Jeffrey Martin, Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs. [FR Doc. 2017-27991 Filed 12-27-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
![61670 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 248 / Thursday, December 28, 2017 / Notices
For each $1 of annual income which For each $1 of annual income which Signing Authority
is more than $8,663, the monthly rate is more than $2,400 but not more than The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
will not be reduced. $2,900, the monthly rate shall be designee, approved this document and
No Parents’ DIC is payable under this reduced by $0.06. authorized the undersigned to sign and
table if annual income exceeds $14,974. For each $1 of annual income which submit the document to the Office of the
One parent who has remarried: If is more than $2,900 but not more than
Federal Register for publication
there is only one parent, and the parent $3,200, the monthly rate shall be
electronically as an official document of
has remarried and is living with the reduced by $0.07.
For each $1 of annual income which the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina
parent’s spouse, DIC shall be paid under S. Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff,
38 U.S.C. 1315(b) or under 38 U.S.C. is more than $3,200 but not more than
$7,187, the monthly rate shall be Department of Veterans Affairs,
1315(d), whichever shall result in the approved this document on December
greater benefit being paid to the reduced by $0.08.
For each $1 of annual income which 14, 2017, for publication.
veteran’s parent. In the case of
remarriage, the total combined annual is more than $7,187 but not more than Dated: December 14, 2017.
income of the parent and the parent’s $7,188, the monthly rate shall be Jeffrey Martin,
spouse shall be counted in determining reduced by $0.04. Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation
For each $1 of annual income which Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary,
the monthly rate of DIC.
is more than $7,188, the monthly rate Department of Veterans Affairs.
One of two parents not living with
shall not be reduced. [FR Doc. 2017–27992 Filed 12–27–17; 8:45 am]
spouse (38 U.S.C. 1315(c)): The rates in No Parents’ DIC is payable if the
Table 3 apply to (1) two parents who are annual income exceeds $20,128.
BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
not living together, or (2) an unmarried These rates are also applicable in the
parent when both parents are living and case of one surviving parent who has
the other parent has remarried. The DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
remarried, computed on the basis of the AFFAIRS
monthly rate of DIC paid to each such combined income of the parent and
parent shall be $459, reduced on the spouse, if this would be a greater benefit Cost-of-Living Adjustments Effective
basis of each parent’s annual income, than that specified in Table 2 for one December 1, 2017
according to the following formula: parent.
For each $1 of annual income which Aid and attendance: The monthly rate AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
is more than $0 but not more than $800, of DIC payable to a parent under Tables ACTION: Notice.
the $459 monthly rate shall not be 2 through 4 shall be increased by $343
reduced. if such parent is (1) a patient in a SUMMARY: As required by law, the
For each $1 of annual income which nursing home, or (2) helpless or blind, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is
is more than $800 but not more than or so nearly helpless or blind as to need hereby giving notice of cost-of-living
$6,475, the monthly rate shall be or require the regular aid and adjustments (COLA) in certain benefit
reduced by $0.08. attendance of another person. rates. These COLAs affect the
For each $1 of annual income which Minimum rate: The monthly rate of dependency and indemnity
is more than $6,475, the monthly rate DIC payable to any parent under Tables compensation (DIC) program. The rate
shall not be reduced. 2 through 4 shall not be less than $5. of the adjustment is tied to the increase
No Parents’ DIC is payable under this in Social Security benefits, effective
Section 306 Pension Income December 1, 2017, as announced by the
table if annual income exceeds $14,974. Limitations
One of two parents living with spouse Social Security Administration (SSA).
or other parent (38 U.S.C. 1315(d)): The Veteran or surviving spouse with no SSA has announced an increase of 2.0
rates below apply to each parent living dependents, $14,974 (Pub. L. 95–588, percent.
with another parent; and each remarried section 306(a)) DATES: The COLAs are effective
parent, when both parents are alive. The Veteran in need of aid and attendance December 1, 2017.
monthly rate of DIC paid to such parents with no dependents, $15,513 (38 U.S.C. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
will be $431, reduced on the basis of the 1521(d) as in effect on December 31, Daniel McCargar, Pension Analyst,
combined annual income of the two 1978) Pension and Fiduciary Service, Veterans
parents living together or the remarried Veteran or surviving spouse with one Benefits Administration, Department of
parent or parents and spouse or spouses, or more dependents, $20,128 (Pub. L. Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
as computed under the following 95–588, section 306(a)) NW, Washington, DC 20420, (612) 713–
Veteran in need of aid and attendance
formula: 8911.
with one or more dependents, $20,666
For each $1 of annual income which SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
(38 U.S.C. 1521(d) as in effect on
is more than $0 but not more than provisions of Public Law 115–75,
December 31, 1978)
$1,000, the $431 monthly rate shall not Child (no entitled veteran or surviving ‘‘Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living
be reduced. spouse), $12,244 (Pub. L. 95–588, Adjustment Act of 2017,’’ require VA to
For each $1 of annual income which section 306(a)) increase the benefit rates of DIC
is more than $1,000 but not more than Spouse income exclusion (38 CFR programs by the same percentage, and
$1,500, the monthly rate shall be 3.262), $4,782 (Pub. L. 95–588, section effective the same date, as increases in
reduced by $0.03. 306(a)(2)(B)) the benefit amounts payable under title
For each $1 of annual income which
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
II of the Social Security Act, effective
is more than $1,500 but not more than Old-Law Pension Income Limitations December 1, 2017. VA must also publish
$2,000, the monthly rate shall be Veteran or surviving spouse without the increased rates in the Federal
reduced by $0.04. dependents or an entitled child, $13,112 Register.
For each $1 of annual income which (Pub. L. 95–588, section 306(b)) SSA has announced a 2.0 percent
is more than $2,000 but not more than Veteran or surviving spouse with one COLA increase in Social Security
$2,400, the monthly rate shall be or more dependents, $18,899 (Pub. L. benefits, effective December 1, 2017.
reduced by $0.05. 95–588, section 306(b)) Therefore, applying the same
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 248 / Thursday, December 28, 2017 / Notices 61671
percentage, the following increased Amount DIC Payable to Children
Veteran paygrade
rates and income limitations for the DIC payable
Surviving Spouse Entitled
program will be effective December 1,
2017: E–4(f) .................................... 1,283.11 For each child over the age of 18 who
E–5(f) .................................... 1,283.11
Dependency and Indemnity E–6(f) .................................... 1,283.11
is attending an approved course of
Compensation Monthly Payment Rates E–7(g) ................................... 1,327.47 education, the rate is $269.30.
E–8(g) ................................... 1,401.40 For each child over the age of 18 who
DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse— E–9(g) ................................... 1,461.59 is helpless, the rate is $541.76.
Veteran Death on or After January 1, E–9(b) ................................... 1,577.76
1993 W–1(g) .................................. 1,354.93 No Surviving Spouse Entitled
W–2(g) .................................. 1,408.78
Basic Monthly Rate: $1,283.11. W–3(g) .................................. 1,449.97 Each
If at the time of the Veteran’s death, Total
W–4(g) .................................. 1,534.46 Number of children child’s
payable
the Veteran was in receipt of or entitled O–1(g) ................................... 1,354.93 share
to receive compensation for a service- O–2(g) ................................... 1,401.40
connected disability rated totally O–3(g) ................................... 1,497.49 1 .................................... $541.76 $541.76
disabling (including a rating based on O–4 ....................................... 1,587.25 2 .................................... 779.37 389.69
O–5 ....................................... 1,746.72 3 .................................... 1,016.99 399.00
individual unemployability) for a
O–6 ....................................... 1,969.56
continuous period of at least 8 years
O–7 ....................................... 2,125.84 For each additional child, add
immediately preceding death AND the O–8 ....................................... 2,334.95
surviving spouse was married to the $193.27 to the total payable.
O–9 ....................................... 2,497.58
Veteran for those same 8 years, add O–10 ..................................... 2,739.41 For each additional helpless child
$272.46. O–10(c) ................................. 2,940.07 over 18, add $317.87 to the total
For each dependent child under the payable.
(a) Surviving spouse of Aviation Cadet or
age of 18, add $317.87. other service not covered by this table is paid Signing Authority
If the surviving spouse is entitled to the DIC rate for enlisted E–3.
aid and attendance benefits, add (b) Veteran who served as Sergeant Major The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or
$317.87. of the Army or Marine Corps, Senior Enlisted designee, approved this document and
If the surviving spouse is entitled to Advisor of the Navy, Chief Master Sergeant of
the Air Force, or Commandant of the Marine authorized the undersigned to sign and
housebound benefits, add $148.91. Corps, or as Commandant of the Coast submit the document to the Office of the
If the surviving spouse has one or Guard. Federal Register for publication
more children under the age of 18 on (c) Veteran served as Chairman of the Joint electronically as an official document of
the award, add the 2-year transitional Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army or
Air Force, Chief of Naval Operations, Com- the Department of Veterans Affairs. Gina
benefit of $270.00 (no change to this rate mandant of the Marine Corps, or as Com- S. Farrisee, Deputy Chief of Staff,
as a result of the round-down in 38 mandant of the Coast Guard. Department of Veterans Affairs,
U.S.C. 1311(f)(4)). (d) If surviving spouse entitled to aid and at- approved this document on December
tendance, add $317.87; if entitled to house-
DIC Payable to a Surviving Spouse— bound, add $148.91. 14, 2017, for publication.
Veteran Death Prior to January 1, 1993 (e) Add $317.87 for each child under 18. Dated: December 14, 2017.
(f) Add $272.46 if Veteran rated totally dis-
abled for 8 continuous years prior to death, Jeffrey Martin,
Amount and surviving spouse was married to Veteran Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation
Veteran paygrade payable those same 8 years. Policy & Management, Office of the Secretary,
(g) Base rate is $1,555.57 if Veteran was Department of Veterans Affairs.
E–1(f) .................................... 1,283.11 rated totally disabled 8 continuous years prior
E–2(f) .................................... 1,283.11 to death, and surviving spouse was married to [FR Doc. 2017–27991 Filed 12–27–17; 8:45 am]
E–3(a,f) ................................. 1,283.11 Veteran those same 8 years. BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
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Document Created: 2017-12-28 00:43:50
Document Modified: 2017-12-28 00:43:50
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | The COLAs are effective December 1, 2017. | |
| 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. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 61670 |
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