Here’s When VA Benefit Payments Are Arriving in October

Every month, millions of veterans depend on their disability pay from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This monthly compensation is a tax-free payment for veterans who are disabled through disease or injury, because of their active military service.

For many, their disability check may be their only source of income. And while due on the first day of each month, sometimes payments are made early due to holidays or weekends.

Here's the breakdown of how VA payments are made and when October's payment will arrive, so you can prepare yourself financially for upcoming bills.

VA disability benefits are normally paid on the first business day of the month after they are earned. For example, August's disability payments would usually be paid out on Sept. 1.

There are a few exceptions, however:

• Weekend or federal holiday: If the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the VA shifts payments to the last business day of the previous month. That means if Feb. 1 fell on a Saturday, the benefits would be paid on the last business day of January.
• Government shutdown: A prolonged federal government shutdown could lead to a delay or a suspension in payments, which almost happened in 2013.

October 2025's disability compensation will be paid on Friday, Oct. 31. This is because Nov. 1 falls on a Saturday.

Additionally, veterans will also see a payment come in on Wednesday, Oct. 1. This is not being paid twice for October, though. This payment is for September's benefits.

Published figures vary, but the VA's latest compensation report says approximately 6 million veterans receive monthly VA benefits.

When factoring in death-benefit recipients — surviving family members eligible for support — the figure rises to 6.5 million.

According to the VA, you must have a service-connected condition that affects your mind and body, and you must have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.

Additionally, the VA states that it must be true that you either got sick or injured while serving in the military and can link this condition to your illness or injury, you had an illness or injury before you joined the military and serving made it worse, or you have a disability related to your active-duty service that didn't appear until after you ended your service.

Examples of qualifying issues can include:

• Chronic back pain
• Breathing problems
• Severe hearing loss
• Scar tissue
• Loss of range of motion
• Ulcers
• Cancer or other illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous conditions
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTDSD)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Issues related to military sex trauma (MST)

The amount depends primarily on your VA disability rating, with a maximum standard monthly benefit of just over $4,500. But every qualified veteran receives a base level of compensation. For example, a veteran with a 10% disability rating receives a monthly payment of $175.51. This amount is $346.95 for a 20% rating.

Disability ratings are assigned at increments of 10% up to 100%, with payments growing in step with disability ratings. Those with a rating of 30% or higher receive additional benefits depending on the number of dependents. Veterans with a 100% rating, a spouse, one child, and two dependent parents receive the maximum benefit amount of $4,544.23, for example.

The exact amount varies depending on your disability rating and details about your dependent family members, so be sure to check the VA's website for the most up-to-date rates.

Disability ratings are not permanent. If you believe the VA initially underestimated your disability or that its severity has worsened, you can request a re-evaluation.

The VA states that you'll need to submit up-to-date medical evidence that shows your disability has gotten worse. And while the process typically involves appealing within a year of the decision, veterans who do increase their rating could boost their compensation by thousands more each year.

To plan ahead, here are the VA disability pay dates for the final months of 2025:

• November benefits: Monday, December 1, 2025
• December benefits: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

If your payment doesn't show up when expected, the VA recommends visiting your local VA office or calling the Veterans Help Line at 1-800-827-1000 (TTY: 711). Lines are staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

If you're awaiting back pay benefits, those generally arrive within 15 days of your decision notice.

October's VA disability compensation will be paid to recipients on Friday, Oct. 31, as Nov. 1 falls on a weekend this year. VA recipients will also receive a payment on Wednesday, Oct. 1, for their September benefits.

In addition to monthly VA benefits, disabled veterans can also qualify for property tax breaks and car insurance discounts. Explore these savings to make sure you're taking advantage of all the extra ways to stretch your dollar further.