Caring for Survivors Act of 2020

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. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Caring for Survivors Act of 2020 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) 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) 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 4. Eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry after age 55 Section 103(d)(2)(B) of title 38, United States Code, is amended in the second sentence by inserting chapter 13 or benefits under

Summary: Caring for Survivors Act of 2020 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also adjusts the amount payable to surviving spouses and children of veterans who were rated as totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death. Finally, the bill authorizes the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses who remarry after the age of 55.