Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
3/20/2025, 5:24 PMSummary of Bill HR 680
Bill 119 hr 680, also known as the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Improvement Act, aims to make changes to title 38 of the United States Code in order to enhance and broaden the eligibility criteria for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) provided to certain survivors of veterans.The bill seeks to improve the DIC benefits available to surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans by expanding the eligibility requirements. This includes extending benefits to surviving spouses who remarried after the age of 55, as well as allowing children of veterans who died from a service-connected disability to receive DIC benefits regardless of their age.
Additionally, the bill aims to address issues related to the calculation of DIC benefits, ensuring that survivors receive fair and accurate compensation based on the veteran's service and circumstances of death. The bill also includes provisions to streamline the application process for DIC benefits, making it easier for eligible survivors to access the support they are entitled to. Overall, Bill 119 hr 680 is focused on improving and expanding the DIC benefits available to certain survivors of veterans, with the goal of providing more comprehensive and equitable support to those who have lost a loved one due to their service to the country.
Congressional Summary of HR 680
Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
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.
