H.R. 2055 · In committee · Armed Forces and National Security

Caring for Survivors Act of 2025

Sponsor: Jahana Hayes (D-CT)

What it does

• Increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation the VA pays to surviving spouses.
• Covers survivors of veterans who died from a service-connected condition, service members killed on active or training duty, and veterans long rated totally disabled by a service-connected disability.
• Reduces from 10 years to 5 the period a veteran must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability for a survivor to qualify.
• Specifies the amount payable to survivors of veterans rated totally disabled for less than 10 years before death.

Official 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.

Latest action

Jun 24, 2025: Subcommittee Hearings Held

Committee: House Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee