Find the 2021 VA pay schedule for VA disability, education, compensation, pension, and survivor’s benefits that are paid on a monthly basis. VA payment benefits are are paid the first business day of the following month. If the first business day occurs on a non-business day, weekend or a holiday, VA benefits will be paid on the last business day prior to the first of the month.
See the 2021 VA disability rates or find out if disability rates will increase in 2022.
Direct deposits may arrive sooner for customers of early pay banks such as USAA or Navy Federal Credit Union. These military-focused banks deposit funds 1-2 business day before by releasing funds as soon as they receive the payment details from the VA.
See a list of early pay banks and direct deposit calendars.
What time will my VA disability check be deposited?
Banks process the direct deposit notifications from the VA throughout the day and can’t tell you the exact time your benefits will be available.
2021 VA Pay Dates
Monthly VA benefit payments including VA disability, education, compensation, pension, and survivor’s benefits| Month | Payment Date | Day of Week |
|---|---|---|
| January | February 1st | Monday |
| February | March 1st | Monday |
| March | April 1st | Thursday |
| April | April 30th | Friday |
| May | June 1st | Tuesday |
| June | July 1st | Thursday |
| July | July 30th | Friday |
| August | September 1st | Wednesday |
| September | October 1st | Friday |
| October | November 1st | Monday |
| November | December 1st | Wednesday |
| December | December 31st | Friday |
VA Monthly Disability Benefits
VA Disability Compensation
VA disability compensation is tax-free monthly benefit for veterans who have a service-related injury or illness. Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax free monetary benefit generally payable to a surviving spouse, child, or parent of Servicemembers who died while on active duty, active duty for training or inactive duty training, or survivors of Veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities. DIC for parents is an income based benefit.
Veterans & Survivors Pension Compensation
The VA offers two pension benefit programs to help veterans and their families cope with financial challenges by providing supplemental income.
- Veterans Pension: Tax-free monetary benefit payable to low-income wartime Veterans.
- Survivors Pension: Tax-free monetary benefit payable to a low-income, un-remarried surviving spouse and/or unmarried child(ren) of a deceased Veteran with wartime service.
Aid and Attendance and Housebound Benefits
Aid & Attendance and Housebound benefits are an additional tax-free benefit to the Basic Veterans / Survivors Pension.
- Aid & Attendance: Helps qualifying veterans and their surviving spouses pay for in-home care, assisted living-, memory- or nursing care as well as medical supplies and medicines.
- Housebound: Additional assistance for a person who cannot leave their immediate premises unless under the supervision of another person.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Special Monthly Compensation is an additional tax-free benefit that is paid in cases where a veteran or other qualified applicant needs assistance from another person due to what the VA describes as a “specific disability.” SMC is described as a “higher rate of compensation paid due to special circumstances.”
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Compensation
Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) (same as the military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)) is tax-free monthly housing benefit for veterans utilizing GI Bill benefits and enrolled in school. Veterans receive MHA monthly payments directly and are different than GI Bill payments which are sent directly to the school.
