Bills · S 611
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 611Marriage and family statusVeterans' pensions and compensation
Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
INTRO FEB 18· LAST ACTION MAR 11
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
7
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it directly impacts the financial well-being of thousands of military families who have lost a loved one due to service-connected reasons or in cases where a veteran was totally disabled. If it becomes law, surviving spouses could see a substantial increase in their monthly support, which could help them cover living expenses, healthcare costs, and other financial burdens. This change acknowledges the ongoing sacrifices of military families and updates a benefit that has not kept pace with the rising cost of living for many years.
If this bill does not pass, surviving spouses will continue to receive the current fixed DIC payment, which may not adequately reflect the financial needs of today. Furthermore, families of veterans who were totally disabled for 5-9 years before their death would remain ineligible for DIC, leaving a gap in support for those who dedicated years to caring for a severely disabled veteran. Passing this bill would provide greater financial security and a more equitable benefit structure for these deserving individuals.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Increases the monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses by linking it to 55% of the compensation for a 100% disabled veteran, rather than a fixed dollar amount.
This aims to provide a more substantial and adjustable monthly income for surviving spouses.
PROVISION 02
Establishes a special rule for survivors of veterans who died before January 1, 1993, ensuring they receive the greater of their previous DIC amount or the new, higher calculated amount.
This ensures older beneficiaries benefit from the increase without any reduction in their current payments.
PROVISION 03
Reduces the minimum continuous total disability period required for a veteran before death from 10 years to 5 years for their survivors to be eligible for DIC.
This expands eligibility, allowing more survivors to receive financial benefits.
PROVISION 04
Introduces a proportional payment system for survivors of veterans who were totally disabled for 5 to 9 years before death, where the DIC amount is calculated based on the length of disability relative to 10 years.
This creates a tiered benefit structure, providing some support to newly eligible survivors while recognizing longer periods of total disability with a full benefit.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 7
D· Connecticut
YRS IN OFFICE
15
BILLS LED
127
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 33%
DEM 5 REP 1 IND 1
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSMAR 11
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 119-35.
FEB 18
Introduced in Senate
FEB 18
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 611
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 18, 2025
Last actionMar 11, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 18, 2025
Senate BillS 611Marriage and family statusVeterans' pensions and compensation
Caring for Survivors Act of 2025
INTRODUCED FEB 18, 2025· LAST ACTION MAR 11, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
7
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
