Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Barrett
In Committee
Summary
expands and boosts veterans' benefits and housing access. It raises monthly aid for veterans who qualify for an aid-and-attendance allowance, ties survivor payments to Social Security cost-of-living increases, and widens VA home-loan eligibility for Reserve and National Guard members.
Show full summary
- Veterans and caregivers: Adds a supplemental monthly allowance of $833.33 for veterans eligible for aid-and-attendance under 38 U.S.C. 1114(r) or (t). It also extends certain pension payment limit provisions through September 30, 2036.
- Survivors: Links Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to Social Security increases. The first raise equals the SSA increase plus 1%, later adjustments use 0.5%, and the first change takes effect December 1, 2026.
- Reserve and National Guard homebuyers: Redefines "active duty" for VA home loans to include many Reserve and Guard service types and creates a new 14-day service standard for loan eligibility. That new category carries an added loan fee of 1.0 percentage point, applies retroactively to service after September 11, 2001, and requires the Department of Defense to notify eligible personnel after training completion.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Extra monthly aid for veterans
If enacted, veterans who are eligible for the VA monthly aid and attendance allowance would receive an extra $833.33 each month. This supplemental payment would be in addition to any other VA compensation. It would apply to months beginning on or after December 1, 2026.
More VA home loan access, higher fees
If enacted, some reservists and National Guard members would be able to get a VA-backed home loan after at least 14 days of active duty and finishing entry-level and skill training. The new definition of "active duty" would apply to service on or after September 11, 2001 and the change would take effect upon enactment. Loans where a borrower only qualifies under this new 14-day rule would pay an extra 1.00 percentage-point fee. The bill would also raise certain table fees (for example, some rows would change to 1.40% or 1.0%) and replace earlier waiver dates with September 30, 2036. The VA would share information with the Defense Department so members who finish training after enactment are notified of eligibility and any extra fee.
Higher survivor benefits tied to Social Security
If enacted, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) amounts would increase when Social Security benefits rise under section 215(i). The first triggered increase would equal the Social Security percent increase plus 1.0 percentage point. The next triggered increase would equal the Social Security percent increase plus 0.5 percentage point. These increases would apply to months on or after December 1, 2026, the VA would publish the new DIC amounts in the Federal Register at the same time Social Security posts its notice, and the rule would end after the second such increase.
Pension payment limits extended to 2036
If enacted, the date in a VA pension payment limit rule would move from January 31, 2033 to September 30, 2036. That means the current pension payment limits would stay in place longer. This change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Barrett
MI • R
Cosponsors
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Van Orden
WI • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Ciscomani
AZ • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]
AS • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Hudson
NC • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Kiggans (VA)
VA • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Hill (AR)
AR • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Luttrell
TX • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Miller-Meeks
IA • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 1/20/2026
Crank
CO • R
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Hinson
IA • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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