Named for Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson, this law expands three separate categories of veteran benefits starting in late 2026. Veterans who already receive the most intensive care assistance (the aid and attendance allowance) will get an additional $833.33 per month on top of their existing disability compensation, effective December 1, 2026. Surviving spouses and dependents of veterans who died from service-connected causes will see their monthly dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) automatically increase each year tied to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, plus an added 1% in the first year. National Guard and Reserve members who complete at least 14 days of active duty and finish initial skill training gain new access to VA-guaranteed home loans — retroactive to service performed since September 11, 2001 — though they pay a higher loan funding fee than other veterans.
Average Household Impact
- Aid and attendance supplemental allowance — New $833.33/month payment for veterans receiving the highest care-level allowance
- Dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) — Payment rates increased for surviving spouses and dependents
Transparency & Accountability
- Federal Register disclosure — VA must publish updated DIC payment rates concurrent with Social Security COLA announcements
- Benefit eligibility notification — VA must inform newly trained Guard/Reserve members of home loan eligibility through Defense Department channels
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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