All Roll Calls
Yes: 405 • No: 1
HR3123119th CongressWALLET
Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
Sponsored By: Representative Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Passed House
Summary
Would direct unpaid veteran pensions after death to a prioritized list of beneficiaries. It would also set a one-year filing window for claims and move a pension-payment administrative deadline to February 28, 2033.
Show full summary
- Families: Surviving spouses get first priority. If no spouse, children share equally, then dependent parents share equally, and finally the veteran's estate if applicable.
- Estates and claimants: If no application is filed within one year after the veteran's death, unpaid pension amounts default to the estate unless the estate would escheat.
- VA administration and law text: The bill would add a new section 5121B to title 38, update cross-references and the chapter table, and change the date in section 5503(d)(7) 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 VA pension after death
This bill would set who gets unpaid VA pension money after a veteran dies. It would apply when VA awarded the pension before death but pays it after the death. Priority would be spouse; then children equally; then dependent parents equally; then the estate unless it escheats. If no one files under 38 U.S.C. 5121 within one year, the estate would be paid. This would not apply if the estate would escheat. These rules would apply to deaths on or after enactment.
VA pension deadline extended one month
This bill would change a VA pension limit date. It would move January 31, 2033, to February 28, 2033, in 38 U.S.C. 5503(d)(7). Veterans and families would get one more month under that rule.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
NY • R
Cosponsors
Khanna
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