Bills · S 274
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 274Veterans' pensions and compensationMilitary personnel and dependents
Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 28· LAST ACTION JAN 28
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a practical and often distressing issue for families grieving the loss of a veteran. In the past, the VA's rules could lead to situations where a family, already coping with loss, would receive a notice from the government asking them to return a pension payment that covered the month their loved one died. This could feel like a harsh demand during an already difficult period.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a small but significant relief to these families by clarifying that the pension payment covers the entire month of death. If it doesn't become law, the current system will continue, meaning families might still face these collection efforts, adding financial and administrative stress at an emotionally vulnerable time. It's about ensuring a more compassionate administrative process for those who have served.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Changes the rules so that if a veteran receiving a VA pension dies, the payment covers the full month in which their death occurred.
This prevents the VA from trying to recover pension payments for that final month, protecting grieving families from debt collection.
PROVISION 02
Clarifies existing law regarding the payment of benefits for the month of a payee's death, ensuring the rules are consistent with the new pension provision.
This makes sure the VA has clear guidance on how to process these final payments.
PROVISION 03
Establishes that these new rules will apply to any death that occurs on or after the date the bill officially becomes law.
This provides a clear start date for when families can expect this protection to be in effect.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Montana
YRS IN OFFICE
13
BILLS LED
65
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJAN 28
Introduced in Senate
JAN 28
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 274
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 28, 2025
Last actionJan 28, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2025
Senate BillS 274Veterans' pensions and compensationMilitary personnel and dependents
Next of Kin Collections Protection Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JAN 28, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 28, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
