Ciscomani Leads Effort to Ensure Veterans’ Surviving Families Receive the Benefits They Deserve

“Behind every man and woman in uniform are spouses, children, and families who face their own set of sacrifices during their loved one’s time in service,” said Ciscomani. “If their loved one passes away while in the service, surviving family members of these heroes deserve to have their needs prioritized by the VA, especially when it comes to accessing the benefits they're entitled to and deserve. The United States owes our veterans and their families a tremendous debt of gratitude, and this legislation is a step closer to fulfilling this solemn responsibility.” 

 

In 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) moved the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) from the Office of the VA Secretary to the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA). As a result, OSA has operated under layers of bureaucracy and prevented it from having direct access to the VA Secretary to fix policy or address wide-ranging problems with programs meant to benefit survivors.  

 

Ciscomani’s legislation, the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act (H.R. 1228) rights this wrong by moving OSA back within the Office of the VA Secretary to restore direct access and ensure that surviving families of veterans not only receive the benefits they were promised, but also have a direct line to the Secretary so that their needs and concerns are heard at the very top.  

 

“The loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice deserve a seat at the table – period. The Biden-Harris administration was wrong to move VA’s Office of Survivors Assistance to the Veterans Benefits Administration, and survivors’ advocates have told us that this move has restricted the office from serving as a central guide to the VA Secretary on policies affecting veterans’ survivors,” said Chairman Bost. “I’m glad to see my friend and colleague, Rep. Ciscomani, reintroduce the Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act for this Congress to ensure the VA keeps veterans’ surviving spouses and their families first.” 

 

This legislation passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support in the 118th Congress. The full text of the bill can be found here.