PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify the provision of compensation and pension to surviving spouses of veterans in the months of the deaths of the veterans, to improve housing loan benefits for veterans, and for other purposes.

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 3, 2011

Entitles a surviving spouse to a benefit for the month of a veteran's death if, at the time of the veteran's death: (1) the veteran was receiving veterans' disability compensation or veteran's pension, or (2) the veteran was not receiving such compensation or pension but had a claim pending for the month of the veteran's death for which benefits would have been payable had the veteran not died. Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting the return of a check or payment made to a surviving spouse, in the month in which the veteran's death occurs, as additional compensation for a dependent or additional pension as a married veteran.

Includes under the VA's presidential memorial certificate program (a program presenting a presidential certificate of appreciation for service in the Armed Forces) an individual who dies during active service.

Considers a veteran who is unable to occupy a home because of active-duty status to have satisfied the occupancy requirement relating to housing financed through the VA if the veteran's dependent child is occupying or will occupy the home and the veteran's attorney or a legal guardian of the dependent child makes the VA-required occupancy certification.

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Authorizes the VA to guarantee a veterans' housing loan regardless of whether such loan is subordinate to a lien created in favor of a public entity that provides assistance in response to a major disaster.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · D–HI

Committees

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee
0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

    Actions

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    1. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 112-116.

    2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    3. Introduced in Senate

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    Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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