All Roll Calls
Yes: 405 • No: 1
119-hr-3123119th CongressWALLET
Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
Sponsored By: Representative Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Passed House
Summary
Prioritizes payment of unpaid pension benefits after a veteran's death. It sets who receives an accrued pension that was awarded before the veteran died and creates a one-year window for survivors to claim it.
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- Families: A surviving spouse is first in line to receive any unpaid pension. If no spouse, the veteran's children share equally, then dependent parents share equally.
- Estates: If no application is filed within one year of the veteran's death the unpaid pension is paid to the veteran's estate, unless the estate will escheat.
- Administration and timing: The rule applies to deaths on or after enactment. The bill also moves a VA payment-limit deadline from January 31, 2033 to February 28, 2033.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Who gets unpaid veterans pension checks
If enacted, this would set the order for paying a veterans pension that was awarded before death but paid after. The money would go first to the spouse, then to children in equal shares, then to dependent parents in equal shares, and then to the veterans estate unless the estate would escheat (go to the state). If no application under 38 U.S.C. 5121 is filed within one year after death, the payment would go to the estate unless it would escheat. These rules would apply to veterans who die on or after the enactment date.
One-month extension for veterans pension limit
If enacted, this would change one date in a veterans pension rule. It would replace January 31, 2033 with February 28, 2033 in 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7). This would give a one-month extension under that payment limit.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 9/30/2025
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 2/2/2026
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Yes: 405 • No: 1