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119-s-2698119th CongressWALLET

Safeguarding Department of Veterans Affairs Dependent Education Benefits Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

Introduced

Summary

Restores access to transferred Post‑9/11 Educational Assistance for spouses and children who lost benefits after a dependent‑abuse‑related discharge. It would set a process for eligible dependents to apply for reinstatement and define when VA, Defense, and Homeland Security can restore unused transferred benefits.

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  • Families: Spouses and dependent children who were beneficiaries of transferred Post‑9/11 benefits could apply to have those payments reinstated if the termination was caused by a dependent‑abuse offense. Reinstatement would be limited to the unused portion of the transferred benefits.
  • Applicants: Eligible applicants must provide information substantiating they were victims of dependent abuse. VA could reinstate benefits only if separation records show by a preponderance of evidence that the member committed the offense or if the member was convicted.
  • Agencies and process: The Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, would issue regulations that define dependent‑abuse offenses, the application process, and a review path for denied reinstatements. Reviews must be answered within 30 days and VA must consult veterans service organizations to make the application process trauma‑informed.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Restore transferred Post-9/11 education benefits

If enacted, a spouse or dependent child who received Post-9/11 benefits transferred to them could apply to have payments reinstated. This applies when payments stopped because the service member was discharged for a dependent-abuse offense and the discharge characterization did not meet 38 U.S.C. 3311(c). Reinstated payments would be limited to the unused portion of the transferred benefits that remained unobligated at discharge. You would need to apply and provide information showing you were the victim and that the discharge was caused by the abuse. The proximate-cause decision may be based on the administrative separation record by a preponderance of the evidence or on a dependent-abuse conviction. Defense and Homeland Security, in coordination with VA, would write rules, publish guidance, require a trauma-informed application process, and set a review process with responses within 30 days. Effective upon enactment.

No concurrent VA education benefits

If enacted, someone entitled to Post-9/11 benefits who is also eligible for another VA education program could not receive payments from both programs at the same time. This applies when you are entitled under chapter 33 and also eligible under chapters 30, 31, 32, or 35; chapters 107, 1606, or 1607; or 10 U.S.C. 510. You would have to choose which single program will provide assistance in the form and manner the Secretary prescribes. Effective upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

ME • I

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

    ND • R

    Sponsored 9/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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