Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
House Passes Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, Clarifying Who Receives Unpaid VA Pension After Death
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- If the VA approves a veteran’s pension before the veteran dies, but the payment goes out after death, the bill spells out who should receive the unpaid money.
- The unpaid pension would go first to the surviving spouse, then to the veteran’s children (split evenly), then dependent parents (split evenly).
- If none of those relatives are living, the payment would go to the veteran’s estate, as long as the estate won’t automatically go to the state.
- If no one files a claim for these unpaid benefits within 1 year after the veteran’s death, the money would be paid to the veteran’s estate (with the same exception about it going to the state).
- The bill also extends a current pension payment limit date from November 30, 2031 to December 31, 2031.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 1 (Roll no. 50). (text: CR H1930-1931)
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 1 (Roll no. 50). (text: CR H1930-1931)
The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1937-1938)
Vote Results
1 voteOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Related News
4 articlesStefanik leads House passage of VA bill named after North Country veteran
The House passed the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act in a 405-1 vote. The bill clarifies that unpaid VA pension benefits should be distributed to a surviving spouse, children, or parents, and finally the veteran's estate, rather than being reclaimed by the government.
Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 3123 - Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
H.R. 3123 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill establishes a clear hierarchy for the distribution of accrued VA pension benefits after a veteran's death, prioritizing the spouse, then children and dependent parents, before reverting to the estate.
Stefanik- Improve pension benefits access for veterans
Rep. Elise Stefanik introduced the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act to improve the process for issuing VA pension benefits when impacted by the death of a beneficiary. The bill ensures veterans receive their accrued pension and protects families from bureaucratic errors.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(2)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.