WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) reintroduced the bipartisan Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 to expand monthly benefits for family members and survivors of veterans who have given their lives in service to the United States.
In 1993, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit paid to the survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans who die from service-related injuries or conditions. Since then, the program has been adjusted minimally, falling drastically behind the cost of living. Based on current rules, DIC benefits can vary significantly. The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 would authorize increased DIC payments for survivors, bringing DIC benefits in line with other federal survivor programs to better support surviving spouses and family members.
“Honoring the sacrifices our service members make on behalf of our nation means caring for the loved ones they leave behind. Unfortunately, the outdated rules governing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation mean many surviving families do not receive the full benefits they are entitled to,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 increases DIC benefits, reduces barriers to access, and ensures the federal government keeps its promise to fallen service members by supporting their families.”
“Our pledge to standing by the families of fallen heroes is not just a statement; it is a deep-seated responsibility that we are compelled to uphold,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “As a dedicated co-lead for the bipartisan Caring for Survivors Act, I am committed to ensuring that these families receive the essential access to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation benefits they rightfully deserve. I recognize that no measure can truly repay the profound debt we owe for our servicemember’s loss of life. Therefore, it is our responsibility to honor their service by alleviating the financial burdens faced by the families of the survivors.”
DIC benefits are available to surviving spouses and family members of deceased service members who:
- died while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, OR
- died as a result of a service-connected injury or disease, OR
- died as a result of a non-service-connected injury or disease, and who was totally disabled from his/her service-connected disabilities for
- at least 10 years immediately preceding death, OR
- since the release of the veteran from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR
- at least one year immediately preceding death if the veteran was a former prisoner of war.
The Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 reforms DIC benefits by:
- Increasing the DIC for survivors from 43% ($1,653.07) to 55% ($2,107.22) of a single 100% disabled veteran’s compensation. Military survivors currently receiving DIC will realize an approximate increase of $454/month.
- Reducing the 10-year rule to 5 years, greatly assisting families who have had their lives put on hold by caring for a disabled family member.
Since entering Congress in 2019, Congresswoman Hayes has been a fierce advocate for the expansion of DIC benefits to surviving spouses and family members.
In the 116th Congress, Congresswoman Hayes introduced two pieces of legislation to expand monthly DIC benefits from the VA to more surviving spouses and family members and increase the benefit DIC recipients receive. Provisions from these bills were signed into law in 2020.
Additionally, Congresswoman Hayes introduced the Caring for Survivors Act during the 117th and 118th Congresses.
On April 10, 2024, Congresswoman Hayes testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs highlighting how the Caring for Survivors Act aims to correct administrative barriers that block surviving families from the benefits their loved one earned.
On April 17, 2024, the Caring for Survivors Act passed out of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs on a unanimous, bipartisan voice vote.
Organizations supporting the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 include American Veterans (AMVETS), Blinded Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Fleet Reserve Association, Gold Star Spouses of America, Military Family Advisory Network, National Military Family Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN).
“The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is grateful for the continued leadership of Representatives Hayes and Fitzpatrick for introducing the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025. This important bipartisan legislation strengthens Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for 505,000 eligible survivors, and reduces the timeframe a veteran needs to be rated totally disabled allowing more survivors, who likely would have been caregivers, to become eligible for critical DIC benefits. As a long-term priority for the survivor community, we will continue to work to ensure its passage in the 119th Congress,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder.
"Gold Star Spouses of America, Inc. (GSSA) is proud to support the Caring for Survivors Act. For far too long, survivors of military service members have faced financial hardships due to outdated benefit calculations that have not kept pace with their needs. This bill ensures that surviving spouses and family members receive benefits that more adequately reflect their sacrifice and loss through the improvement of the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) program,” said Tamra Sipes, National President, Gold Star Spouses of America.
“We stand with both Representative Hayes and Representative Fitzpatrick to ask for parity with other Federal survivor programs to increase the DIC from 43% of a single 100% disabled Veteran to 55%. This small increase will make the difference to so many who have paid the ultimate price in the loss of their Veteran. It will mean our military widows will be able to buy one more bag of groceries every week. It is a small price to pay for the sacrifice made by these surviving families,” said Donna Eldridge, Co-Chair, Government Relations Committee and Nancy Menagh, Past National President of Gold Star Wives of America.
Bill text of Caring for Survivors Act of 2025 can be found here and a one pager can be found here.