The Briefing · News desk
What changed for VA borrowers
Short, dated reports when the VA, FHFA or CFPB changes something that affects your loan. Every dispatch links its primary source. When nothing changes, we don’t publish.
· VA Loan Basics
2027 Military Pay Raise: President Sets 7-6-5 Plan, but Senate Bill Would Make It 3.6%As of October 24, 2026, the President's plan says a 7%, 6% or 5% raise by grade takes effect January 1, 2027; Congress could still enact a different figure.
· Special Situations
VA Lowers the Native American Direct Loan Rate to 2.47% for Loans Closing On or After Oct. 1VA cut its Native American Direct Loan rate from 2.50% to 2.47%. Eligible veterans who close on or after October 1, 2026 get 2.47% for the life of the loan, VA says.
· Costs & Fees
New York Lets Localities Fully Exempt Permanently and Totally Disabled Veterans From Property TaxFor tax rolls from October 1, 2026, New York counties, cities, towns, villages and school districts that opt in may fully exempt the home of a veteran VA rates permanently and totally disabled.
· Special Situations
VA Partial Claim: Servicers Have Until November 28, 2026 to Add ItVA began accepting partial claim submissions June 15, 2026, but servicers have until November 28 to add the option to their systems, so yours may not offer it yet.
· Special Situations
VA Loan Servicer Village Capital Settles SCRA Interest-Cap Allegations for Over $500,000The Justice Department alleges the servicer failed to apply the SCRA 6% cap to at least 41 servicemembers' mortgages and retaliated against some who asked for it.
· Special Situations
Social Security Sets a 3.6% COLA for 2027; the VA Increase Now Waits on CongressVA disability pay is required to match the Social Security COLA, but the 2027 increase is not final until Congress passes H.R. 8552 or S. 4487.