Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 109-361.
Official Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to increase, as of December 1, 2006, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register increases to veterans' benefits at the same time social security benefit increases are required to be published.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2006 mandates an increase in various veterans' benefits effective December 1, 2006. Specifically, it requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to raise rates for veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. These increases must match the percentage increase in Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act and be published concurrently in the Federal Register.
This law ensures that veterans' benefits and related compensations are adjusted annually to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living increases, maintaining the real value of these benefits.
- Mandates cost-of-living adjustments for veterans' disability compensation and related benefits based on Social Security increases.
- Applies to additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances for certain disabled adult children, and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors.
- Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish these increases in the Federal Register simultaneously with Social Security benefit announcements.
['Veterans receiving disability compensation', 'Dependents of veterans eligible for additional compensation', 'Disabled adult children receiving clothing allowances', 'Surviving spouses and children receiving dependency and indemnity compensation', 'Department of Veterans Affairs (administrative responsibility)']
['Implementation requires timely coordination between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security Administration to ensure synchronized benefit adjustments and publication.', 'Potential budgetary impacts due to increased benefit payments tied to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.', 'Oversight needed to verify accurate and timely publication of benefit increases in the Federal Register.']
The bill was introduced and passed during the 109th Congress and was signed into law on October 16, 2006. It reflects a legislative practice of aligning veterans' benefits with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments to preserve benefit value over time. The measure was enacted without amendments after introduction.
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['Maintaining parity with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments may help stabilize the purchasing power of veterans and their families, potentially reducing financial hardship.', "Regular adjustments could influence federal budget planning and allocations for veterans' programs.", 'The requirement for synchronized publication may improve transparency and public awareness of benefit changes.']
The bill's requirement for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish benefit increases concurrently with Social Security announcements enhances transparency. Oversight should focus on ensuring timely and accurate publication and verifying that benefit increases are implemented as mandated. Budgetary impacts should be monitored given the automatic linkage to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.
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