S. 611 Introduced Armed Forces and National Security

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve and to expand eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain survivors of certain veterans, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] Introduced February 18, 2025 Cosponsors 7 (1 R, 5 D, 1 I) Latest action March 11, 2025

Summary

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors (i.e., spouses, parents, or children) of (1) certain veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed while on active military duty or active or inactive duty for training; or (3) veterans who did not die from a service-connected condition, but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period of time.
The bill also (1) reduces, from 10 years to 5 years, the period of time that certain veterans must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability in order for a survivor to qualify for benefits; and (2) specifies the amount that is payable to survivors of veterans who were rated totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Mar 11, 2025 Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
  2. Feb 18, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
  3. Feb 18, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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