Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

Bill: 119-hr-3123
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Introduced: 2025-04-30
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Family relationships

Veterans' pensions and compensation
Latest action: action_date: 2025-10-08
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 291.

Summaries:

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 291 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3123 [Report No. 119–339] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30, 2025 Ms. Stefanik (for herself and Mr. Khanna ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs October 8, 2025 Additional sponsor: Ms. Lee of Nevada October 8, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 30, 2025 A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to laws relating to the payment of certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that are affected by death, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act . 2. Payment by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances (a) In general Chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting, after section 5121A, the following new section: 5121B. Payment of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), if the Secretary issues a decision awarding entitlement to a pension to a veteran before the death of such veteran, and the Secretary issues payment of such pension after the veteran dies, such pension that was due and unpaid at the time of the veteran’s death shall be paid to the first living person or entity listed below: (1) The veteran’s spouse. (2) The veteran’s children (in equal shares). (3) The veteran’s dependent parents (in equal shares). (4) The estate of the deceased veteran unless the estate will escheat. (b) Limitation In a case described in subsection (a), if no application is filed under section 5121 of this title during the one-year period following the death of the veteran, the pension described in such subsection shall be paid to the estate of the deceased veteran unless the estate will escheat. . (b) Technical and conforming amendments (1) Conforming amendment Section 5121(a) of such title is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting section 5121B of this title, or before sections 3329 and 3330 . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting, after the item relating to section 5121A, the following new item: 5121B. Payment of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the death of a veteran that occurs on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Extension of certain limits on payments of pension Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking November 30, 2031 and inserting December 31, 2031 .

October 8, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3123 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 30, 2025 Ms. Stefanik (for herself and Mr. Khanna ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL To amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements to laws relating to the payment of certain benefits administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that are affected by death, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act . 2. Payment by Secretary of Veterans Affairs of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances (a) In general Chapter 51 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting, after section 5121A, the following new section: 5121B. Payment of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), if the Secretary issues a decision awarding entitlement to a pension to a veteran before the death of such veteran, and the Secretary issues payment of such pension after the veteran dies, such pension that was due and unpaid at the time of the veteran’s death shall be paid to the first living person or entity listed below: (1) The veteran’s spouse. (2) The veteran’s children (in equal shares). (3) The veteran’s dependent parents (in equal shares). (4) The estate of the deceased veteran unless the estate will escheat. (b) Limitation In a case described in subsection (a), if no application is filed under section 5121 of this title during the one-year period following the death of the veteran, the pension described in such subsection shall be paid to the estate of the deceased veteran unless the estate will escheat. . (b) Technical and conforming amendments (1) Conforming amendment Section 5121(a) of such title is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting section 5121B of this title, or before sections 3329 and 3330 . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting, after the item relating to section 5121A, the following new item: 5121B. Payment of pension after death of a veteran in certain circumstances. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to the death of a veteran that occurs on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.