NewsBytes October 16, 2020
In this issue:
Cost of Living Increase Announced
VA Resumes In-person Benefits Services
COLA Increase Announced for 2021
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently announced a 1.3 percent increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in the calendar year 2021 for military and federal civilian retirees, survivor benefit annuitants, disabled veterans and Social Security recipients. The new COLA rate is effective December 1, 2020 and the adjustment will appear in the December 30, 2020 payment.
By law, COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which is a broad measure of consumer prices generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. It measures price changes for food, housing, clothing, transportation, energy, medical care, recreation and education. Since 2008, the annual COLA has been above two percent only once and has been zero three times.
VA Resumes In-person Benefits Services Halted by the COVID-19 Response
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced the reestablishment of in-person benefits services in select locations throughout the country. Currently, there are 10 regional offices (RO) open to the public and more are expected to reopen in the coming weeks since the reopening phases will vary by RO and local conditions.
“During the last few months, VA regional offices continued performing our essential mission virtually — to provide benefits to Veterans and eligible family members,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “We have robust safety measures in place that will allow us to resume in-person services while protecting the health and safety of Veterans, their families and our team members who serve them.”
Regional offices will continue to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, which includes the use of social distancing, face coverings, hand sanitizer and asking sick individuals to stay at home. Veterans can continue to interact with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) virtually for accessing benefits information online or when filing a claim online. For claim-specific questions, call 800-827-1000. To check the availability of an RO near you, visit VA benefits offices.
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