Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
In Committee
Summary
Expand veterans benefits and housing-loan eligibility for Guard and Reserve members. This bill would add a recurring monthly supplemental payment for some veterans, tie survivor benefit bumps to Social Security increases, change VA home-loan fee rules, and broaden loan access for Guard and Reserve personnel.
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- Veterans getting an aid-and-attendance allowance would receive a new supplemental monthly payment of $833.33 on top of existing benefits for months after December 1, 2026.
- Survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation would see those payments rise when Social Security benefits increase. The first adjustment would add an extra 1% above the Social Security increase and later adjustments would add 0.5%.
- Guard and Reserve members would gain wider eligibility for VA-guaranteed home loans. Individuals with at least 14 days of qualifying active service who complete entry-level and skills training could qualify if they pay an added loan fee of 1.0 percentage point, and the VA must notify the Defense Department about new eligibility.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Extra $833 monthly for aid-and-attendance vets
If enacted, veterans who qualify for VA aid-and-attendance at levels (r) or (t) would get an extra $833.33 each month. This would be paid on top of all other VA disability compensation. Payments would start for months beginning December 1, 2026.
Bigger survivor checks when Social Security rises
If enacted, DIC survivor payments would rise when Social Security issues a cost-of-living increase. Each time, DIC would go up by the Social Security percentage plus 1 percentage point. The policy would start for months beginning after December 1, 2026, and end after the fifth such increase. VA would publish the new amounts when Social Security publishes its COLA.
New fees on some later VA home loans
If enacted, some veterans taking a later VA home loan could be charged a fee. It would apply only to “subsequent” VA loans and to veterans rated 70% disabled or less who receive (or would receive) VA compensation. Fee collection would apply to months starting August 1, 2026, and the authority would end September 30, 2035. This could raise closing costs for affected borrowers.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Barrett, Tom [R-MI-7]
MI • R
Cosponsors
Bost
IL • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
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
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
AR • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Luttrell, Morgan [R-TX-8]
TX • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Wittman
VA • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1]
IA • R
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Van Drew
NJ • R
Sponsored 1/20/2026
Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5]
CO • R
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]
IA • R
Sponsored 3/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov