Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 4637

119th Congress

Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 19, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Julia Brownley

D - CA

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill expands eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of veterans who were rated 100% disabled at the time of death. Currently, strict requirements can disqualify surviving spouses. This bill adds a pathway for spouses married at least one year before the veteran's death, or who lived together as spouses for one year.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill expands eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits to surviving spouses of veterans who were rated 100% disabled at the time of death. Currently, strict requirements can disqualify surviving spouses. This bill adds a pathway for spouses married at least one year before the veteran's death, or who lived together as spouses for one year.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Expands DIC eligibility for surviving spouses of veterans rated totally disabled at death
Adds new qualifying pathway: married for 1+ years immediately before veteran's death
Also covers couples who lived together holding themselves out as spouses for 1+ year
Applies regardless of any other legal or religious marriage during that period
Addresses gaps in current law that leave some long-term partners without survivor benefits

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Surviving spouses of totally disabled veterans who currently don't qualify for DIC benefits due to technical requirements would gain eligibility. This particularly helps common-law spouses, couples who remarried late in life, or those in non-traditional relationships who genuinely supported disabled veterans. Estimated to provide monthly payments of $1,612+ to newly eligible survivors. Financial security for these surviving spouses could reduce reliance on other safety net programs.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

4637, 119th Congress (2025). "Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-hr-4637