Caring for Survivors Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-976
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-03-25
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance

Marriage and family status

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2021-04-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-25
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Caring for Survivors Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs. </p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 976 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 25, 2021 Mr. Tester (for himself and Mr. Boozman ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL 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 2021 . 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 and inserting 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 of title 38, United States Code, for months beginning after the date that is six months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (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 and inserting (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary ; and (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 and inserting five or more years .