Capitol Hill lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at expanding veteran survivor benefits, increasing compensation and lowering the threshold of eligibility.
A bipartisan group of Congress members, including Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-CAlif., Ted Yoho, R-Fla., Ted Cox, D-Calif., Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., and Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., introduced the Caring for Survivors Act this week.
The bill would increase dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for surviving dependents and allow certain survivors to receive the benefit who are not currently eligible.
The rate of compensation paid to survivors of troops who die in action or veterans who die of service-related injuries or diseases was set in 1993 "and has been minimally adjusted since then," the lawmakers said in a news release announcing the bill. The DIC also includes rules and restrictions that can significantly decrease the amount of benefits survivors receive if they remarry, or if the veteran was disabled for fewer than 10 years before their death.
“This is the least we can do for our nation’s heroes and their families," said Cisneros, a Navy veteran.
“We must ensure that we honor our warriors by providing for their loved ones when they no longer can,” said Van Drew. “This is a positive change that will provide even-handed support for those families at their times of need.”
Lawmakers said the legislation already has support from TAPS, DAV, VFW, the American Legion and PVA.
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