GSW Legislative Goals 2025-2026

Caring For Survivor Act of 2025-26 - H.R. #5520 and S. #611

*Here is a summary from the Congressional Research Service*

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 five 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,

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

As of 18 August 2025, there are 86 co-sponsors in the House, along with two co-sponsors, in the Senate. Both bills share the same language.

Love Lives On – H.R. #1004 and S. #410

*Here is a summary from the Congressional Research Service*

This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans.

The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse.

Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries.

The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.

Service- Connected Suicide Compensation Act – H.R. #2264

*Here is a summary from the Congressional Research Service*

To amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to automatically pay dependency and indemnity compensation to a survivor of a veteran with a service-connected mental disorder who dies by suicide.”