Reps. Mace and Pappas Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ensure Family Members of Fallen Heroes Receive Timely Payments

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs (HVAC), and Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01), member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, introduced [the Faster Payments to Veterans' Survivors Act to improve] the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) processes for identifying, locating, and paying hard-to-find survivors of recently deceased veterans. According to the VA, as of September 2020, the Department owed more than $155 million in undisbursed life insurance benefits to nearly 15,000 individuals. On average, this represents approximately $10,500 per family.

"It is of the utmost importance that we pay tribute to our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice and ensure their family members and spouses have the resources and support that they need," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "This bipartisan bill will allow VA to better identify and locate surviving family members of deceased veterans and make sure they receive the payments they deserve in a timely manner. Family members contribute and sacrifice right alongside our veterans, and it's critical that they do not face undue barriers or delays to get the benefits and support owed to them. I will always fight to make sure that our veterans and their loved ones are never forgotten."

"Our fallen heroes have given everything they have in service to our country. When they pass away, their families are left not only devastated but often facing financial uncertainty," said Congresswoman Nancy Mace. "This legislation will improve the VA's management of undispersed life insurance funds to ensure that the surviving families of our nation's heroes receive the timely payments they need to make ends meet after the tragic loss of their loved ones."

"The VFW supports the Faster Payments to Veterans' Survivors Act which would ensure that survivors of deceased veterans receive undisbursed life insurance funds through the Department of Veterans Affairs more quickly. These undistributed funds may be critical to the financial stability of a veteran's surviving spouse, child, parent or dependent. By shortening the time frame for the process, VA will ensure these funds get to beneficiaries faster. The VFW thanks Representatives Pappas and Mace for introducing this legislation," said Kristina Keenan, Associate Director, National Legislative Services at Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"When my father in-law, a Veteran of World War II, passed away last year, his spouse waited months to receive his survivor benefits. I contacted Congressman Pappas's office and they were able to help us receive the benefits she deserved. I am pleased to see that the Congressman is taking further action to fix this broken system and help families like mine that earned these benefits," Alfred Benton, Korean War Veteran, Rochester.

Specifically, the bill would:

Shorten the time frame in which VA is authorized to designate, contact, and pay primary and appropriate alternate insurance beneficiaries from 2 years to 1 year and from 4 years to 2 years, respectively. Existing statutory constraints delay the release of undisbursed funds.
Ensure that the procedures for paying alternate beneficiaries are uniformly applied and consistent between VA life insurance programs.
Improve and better publicize an existing online tool that veterans' families can use to search for money they may be owed.
Ensure VA has the staff it needs to reach hard-to-find beneficiaries.
Set a goal of disbursing all funds that are owed to a survivor of a deceased veteran or beneficiary within two years.
Require a report to Congress within 180 days on VA's progress

Source