Bill > HR3123

This bill, known as the Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act, makes changes to how the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays certain benefits to veterans and their families after a veteran's death. Specifically, it amends title 38 of the United States Code to create a new section, 5121B, which clarifies that if the VA decides a veteran is entitled to a pension before they die, but the payment is issued after their death, any unpaid pension due at the time of death will be paid to the veteran's spouse first, then to their children, then to their dependent parents, and finally to the veteran's estate, unless the estate will "escheat" (meaning it has no heirs and goes to the state). However, if no application for these benefits is filed within one year of the veteran's death, the pension will go directly to the veteran's estate unless it will escheat. The bill also makes a minor technical change to extend a specific limit on pension payments from January 31, 2033, to February 28, 2033, and these changes apply to veterans who die on or after the date the bill becomes law.

Health and Social Services, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3123/all-info