Jahana Hayes (D-CT)
Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025. It aims to improve and expand eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation paid to certain survivors of certain veterans. The bill increases the amount of dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses. It sets the new amount equal to 55 percent of the rate of monthly compensation in effect under a specific section. Additionally, the bill modifies the requirements for dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at the time of death.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
The bill increases compensation for surviving spouses, which often includes seniors.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill provides increased financial support to survivor households.
- Scored +5
Would women be better off under this?
The bill specifically increases compensation for surviving spouses, a group that is disproportionately female.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: Increases the dependency and indemnity compensation amount for surviving spouses. This is positive because it changes the payment to equal 55 percent of the rate of monthly compensation under section 1114(j).
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Section 2: Provides a special rule for certain individuals whose eligibility is based on the death of a veteran before January 1, 1993. This ensures they receive the greater amount between the old law and the newly amended law.
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Section 3: Modifies requirements for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at the time of death by changing the required period of continuous rating from 10 or more years down to five or more years. This could expand benefits to more families.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3: Adds a proportional payment rule where if the Secretary makes a payment because the continuous rating period immediately preceding death is less than 10 years, the amount payable is reduced to bear the same relationship to the full amount as the duration of the period bears to 10 years. This could result in lower payments for those whose loved ones were rated totally disabled for fewer than 10 years.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides increased financial support to survivor households. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill expands eligibility for those whose veterans were rated totally disabled. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill increases income for survivors, which frequently includes retirees. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill increases compensation for surviving spouses, which often includes seniors. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — While benefiting survivors, it expands the scope of benefits tied to a veteran's service history. Would women be better off under this? — The bill specifically increases compensation for surviving spouses, a group that is disproportionately female.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill expands eligibility and increases compensation amounts for survivors of veterans.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
- 2/6/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H538)
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico