Caring for Survivors Act of 2023

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. Short title This Act may be cited as the Caring for Survivors Act of 2023 2. Increase in amount of dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses (a) Increase Section 1311(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended in paragraph (1), by striking of $1,154 equal to 55 percent of the rate of monthly compensation in effect under section 1114(j) of this title (b) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided by paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to compensation paid under chapter 13 (2) Special rule for certain individuals (A) In general For months beginning after the date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall pay to an individual described in subparagraph (B) dependents and survivors income security benefit under section 1311 of title 38, United States Code, in the monthly amount that is the greater of the following: (i) The amount determined under subsection (a)(3) of such section 1311, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. (ii) The amount determined under subsection (a)(1) of such section 1311, as amended by subsection (a). (B) Individuals described An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual eligible for dependents and survivors income security benefit under section 1311 of title 38, United States Code, that is predicated on the death of a veteran before January 1, 1993. 3. Modification of requirements for dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at time of death Section 1318 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking The Secretary (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) In any case in which the Secretary makes a payment under paragraph (1) of this subsection by reason of subsection (b)(1) and the period of continuous rating immediately preceding death is less than 10 years, the amount payable under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be an amount that bears the same relationship to the amount otherwise payable under such paragraph as the duration of such period bears to 10 years. ; and (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking 10 or more years five or more years

Summary: Caring for Survivors Act of 2023 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.