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(March 30, 2005) - Chairman Steve Buyer of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs introduced the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005 last week. This bill would provide a cost-of-living adjustment to veterans' benefits effective December 1, 2005. Additionally, the bill codifies the current disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) rates. In addition to compensation, it increases the amount for additional compensation for dependants, the clothing allowance paid to veterans' whose service-connected disability causes irreparable damage to their clothing and DIC for surviving spouses with minor children. Dependent children receiving DIC will also benefit from this increase. The adjustment in cost-of-living is reflective of the economic shift annually. This is especially crucial to those veterans living on a fixed income. The Administration's fiscal year 2006 budget submission includes funding for a projected 2.3 percent increase.