H.R. 3123: Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

This bill, known as the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, proposes changes to how pensions are administered to the beneficiaries of deceased veterans. Specifically, it introduces amendments to title 38 of the United States Code regarding the continuation of pension payments after a veteran's death.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The main points of the bill include:

• Posthumous Pension Payments: If a veteran is awarded pension benefits before their death, any unpaid pension balance at the time of death would be paid to certain eligible survivors. These are listed in order of priority:
• The veteran's spouse
• The veteran's children (equally)
• The veteran's dependent parents (equally)
• The estate of the deceased veteran (unless this estate will escheat, which means it cannot be claimed by any living heirs)
• Application Deadline: If no application for the pension is filed within one year of the veteran's death, the remaining balance would then go to the veteran's estate, assuming the estate will not escheat.
• Technical Amendments: The bill includes conforming amendments to existing laws to ensure that references to new provisions are accurate and consistent across the legal framework.
• Effective Date: The changes would apply to deaths of veterans occurring on or after the date the bill is enacted.

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to clarify and streamline the process for disbursing pensions to the beneficiaries of veterans after their death, ensuring that deserving survivors receive the financial support intended for them in a timely and structured manner.

Implementation

If passed, this bill would lead to revisions in the procedures followed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding pension payments and would require veterans' affairs offices to be updated on the new regulations to facilitate the implementation of these changes.

Relevant Companies

None found.