This bill has advanced since we wrote our summary.
Current stage on Congress.gov: Reported in House.
Veterans who already qualify for the highest level of aid-and-attendance benefits would receive an extra $833.33 per month starting December 1, 2026. Surviving spouses and children getting Dependency and Indemnity Compensation would see their first two annual cost-of-living adjustments boosted above the Social Security increase, by one percentage point the first time and half a point the second time. The bill also raises VA home loan funding fees for certain borrowers and extends the higher fee schedule through September 30, 2036. National Guard and Reserve members would gain new eligibility for VA home loans, including a path for those with as little as 14 days of active service plus completed entry training, who would pay an additional 1% loan fee.
Average Household Impact
- Aid-and-attendance veterans — Receive extra $833.33 monthly starting Dec 2026
- Surviving-spouse DIC payments — Boosted above Social Security COLA for two years
- VA home loan fees — Raised on certain refinance and Guard/Reserve loans through 2036
- Guard and Reserve members — Newly eligible for VA home loans with shorter service
Congressional Summary
Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026This bill expands specified benefits programs for veterans and their survivors and establishes a supplemental monthly allowance for certain disabled veterans.The bill establishes a supplemental monthly allowance of $833.33 for veterans who are already eligible for a monthly aid and attendance allowance due to service-connected disabilities or traumatic brain injury.The bill increases the rate of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) by an additional 1% the next time DIC is adjusted for cost of living and an additional 0.5% the following adjustment. DIC is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors of (1) certain veterans who died due to a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed in the line of duty; or (3) veterans who were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period.The bill expands eligibility for loans under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program to certain members of the reserve components and National Guard by expanding what qualifies as active duty. The bill includes annual training duty as qualifying active duty and grants eligibility for VA loan guarantees after 14 days of active-duty service (with an additional fee).Under the VA home loan program, the bill extends certain loan fee rates through September 30, 2036, and increases the fees for certain refinancing loans and loan assumptions.The bill extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through September 30, 2036.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Reported to House
- Action Date
- 2026-04-02
- Date Added
- 2026-05-19
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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