Veterans who die at home while receiving VA hospice care would qualify for a federal burial allowance under this bill, known as the Gerald's Law Act. Currently, the VA pays burial benefits only when a veteran dies in a VA facility or certain other settings — dying at home during hospice care disqualifies survivors from the benefit. The change would apply retroactively, as if it had been part of a 2020 veterans health care law. Surviving family members of qualifying veterans would be eligible to file for the burial allowance.
Congressional Summary
Gerald's Law ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a burial and funeral allowance for a veteran who dies in a home or other setting at which the veteran was receiving VA hospice care (if such care was directly preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care).
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2026-01-22
- Date Added
- 2026-04-10
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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