S.611 - Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
The "Caring for Survivors Act of 2025" (S.611) aims to amend Title 38 of the United States Code to improve and expand eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) paid to certain survivors of veterans. Specifically, the bill seeks to increase the amount of DIC for surviving spouses and modify the requirements for DIC for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at the time of death.
The bill proposes to increase the DIC amount to 55% of the monthly compensation rate under section 1114(j) of Title 38. It also modifies the requirements for DIC eligibility for survivors of veterans who were totally disabled at the time of death, reducing the required period of continuous rating from 10 to 5 years.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would increase the financial support provided to surviving spouses and dependents of veterans, particularly those whose veteran spouses died with a service-connected disability. This would likely lead to increased financial security for these families.
The changes to DIC eligibility criteria could extend benefits to a larger pool of survivors, including those whose veteran spouses had a shorter period of continuous disability rating before death. However, the bill also introduces a proportional reduction in benefits for those with less than 10 years of continuous rating, which could negatively impact some survivors.
Potential Benefits
- Increased financial support for surviving spouses of veterans.
- Expanded eligibility for dependency and indemnity compensation to more survivors.
- Provides a higher monthly DIC amount for surviving spouses, calculated as 55% of the compensation rate under section 1114(j).
- Reduces the required period of continuous disability rating for DIC eligibility from 10 to 5 years in certain cases.
- Ensures that survivors of veterans who died before January 1, 1993, receive the greater of the existing benefit amount or the new amount.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The proportional reduction in benefits for those with less than 10 years of continuous rating could negatively impact some survivors.
- The bill introduces a complex calculation for benefits, potentially causing confusion and administrative burden.
- Increased government spending on DIC benefits, which could strain the budget.
- The effective date is six months after enactment, potentially delaying benefits for some survivors.
- The bill does not address other potential needs of survivors, such as healthcare or educational assistance.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's mandate to "provide for the common defence" and "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). By providing benefits to veterans' survivors, the government is fulfilling its obligation to care for those who have served the nation.
Congress has the power to legislate for the military under Article I, Section 8, which includes providing for veterans and their families. The specific provisions of the bill, such as increasing DIC amounts and modifying eligibility requirements, fall within the scope of Congress's authority to regulate veterans' benefits.
There are no apparent constitutional conflicts arising from this bill. It does not infringe upon individual liberties or rights, nor does it violate the separation of powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).