7 VA Payments Most Veterans Never Claim in 2026 — and the August Deadline You Can't Miss

There are seven VA payments that millions of veterans are leaving unclaimed right now. Most are not automatic. They wait in silence until you ask for them by name, and one of them has a hard deadline of August 1st, 2026. In this video I walk through all seven. The Chapter 35 education benefit that pays your spouse and children over $1,500 a month (and the new rule ending its high-school-level use on August 1, 2026). TDIU, which pays you at the full 100% rate even at a 70% rating if you cannot keep steady work. SMC, the compensation stacked above 100%. Back pay owed to your claim's effective date. Adding your dependents at 30% or higher (file within a year to get paid back to the marriage or birth). The automatic 2.8% cost-of-living increase for 2026. And the state-level property tax exemptions at 100% permanent and total that can save you thousands a year. This is education, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Eligibility and dollar amounts vary by rating, state, and your specific situation, so always confirm with the VA or an accredited representative before you act. THINGS TO ASK ABOUT / OFFICIAL SOURCES: • Chapter 35 (DEA) rates and rules: https://www.va.gov/family-and-caregiv... • TDIU (Individual Unemployability): https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibi... • Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibi... • Effective dates and back pay: https://www.va.gov/disability/effecti... • Add or change dependents: https://www.va.gov/view-change-depend... • Current disability pay and COLA rates: https://www.va.gov/disability/compens... • State property tax exemptions: search your STATE name + "veteran property tax exemption," or call your county Veterans Service Officer (free) #VeteransBenefits #VADisability #DisabledVeterans #VAClaims #VeteranPay