H.R. 3123 · Passed House · Armed Forces and National Security

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Sponsor: Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY)

What it does

• Sets procedures for the VA to pay a pension that was awarded before a veteran's death but paid after it.
• Pays the pension to the first available of the veteran's living spouse, living children, living dependent parents, or estate, unless the estate would escheat to the state.
• Requires a claimant to apply for the accrued benefits within one year of the veteran's death.
• Pays the pension to the estate if no application is filed within that year, unless the estate would escheat.

Official summary

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act This bill establishes procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a pension that was due but unpaid at the time of a veteran’s death. Specifically, if the VA issues a decision awarding entitlement to a pension to a veteran prior to the veteran’s death but issues the payment after the veteran dies, the pension must be paid to the first available recipient on the following list: (1) the veteran’s living spouse; (2) the veteran’s living children; (3) the veteran’s living dependent parents; or (4) the estate of the veteran, unless the estate will escheat (i.e., transfer to the state). To be eligible for such pension payments, a claimant of accrued benefits must file an application within one year after the veteran's death. If no application for accrued benefits is filed within one year following the death of the veteran, the pension must be paid to the veteran’s estate unless the estate will escheat.

Latest action

Feb 3, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Committee: Senate Veterans' Affairs