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Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID–19 Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-89| Senate 
| Updated: 7/26/2021
Kyrsten Sinema

Kyrsten Sinema

Independent Senator

Arizona

Cosponsors (17)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Joe Manchin (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19. Specifically, the VA must obtain this determination before notifying a claimant for survivor benefits of the final decision regarding such benefits in any case where a dependency and indemnity compensation claim is filed in relation to a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities who dies, the death certificate for the veteran identifies COVID-19 as the principal or contributory cause of death, the death certificate does not clearly identify any of the service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death, the veteran's service-connected disability includes a condition more likely to cause severe illness from COVID-19, the claimant is not entitled to certain dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, and the evidence to support the claim does not result in a preliminary finding in favor of the claimant. The VA must provide information to veterans, their dependents, and veterans service organizations about applying for dependency and indemnity compensation when a veteran dies from COVID-19. Such information must be available through the VA's website and via other outreach mechanisms.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline
Jan 28, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jan 28, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 16, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-746
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 28, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
May 26, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Jun 24, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 24, 2021
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.
Jul 21, 2021
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
Jul 21, 2021
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
Jul 26, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 26, 2021
Received in the House.
Jul 26, 2021
Held at the desk.
  • January 28, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 28, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 16, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-746
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • April 28, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • May 26, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.


  • June 24, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 24, 2021
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.


  • July 21, 2021
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)


  • July 21, 2021
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)


  • July 26, 2021
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • July 26, 2021
    Received in the House.


  • July 26, 2021
    Held at the desk.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-746: Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID–19 Act of 2021
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthDisability and paralysisEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth information and medical recordsInfectious and parasitic diseasesMedical tests and diagnostic methodsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation

Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID–19 Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-89| Senate 
| Updated: 7/26/2021
Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19. Specifically, the VA must obtain this determination before notifying a claimant for survivor benefits of the final decision regarding such benefits in any case where a dependency and indemnity compensation claim is filed in relation to a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities who dies, the death certificate for the veteran identifies COVID-19 as the principal or contributory cause of death, the death certificate does not clearly identify any of the service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death, the veteran's service-connected disability includes a condition more likely to cause severe illness from COVID-19, the claimant is not entitled to certain dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, and the evidence to support the claim does not result in a preliminary finding in favor of the claimant. The VA must provide information to veterans, their dependents, and veterans service organizations about applying for dependency and indemnity compensation when a veteran dies from COVID-19. Such information must be available through the VA's website and via other outreach mechanisms.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 28, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jan 28, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mar 16, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-746
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Apr 28, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
May 26, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Jun 24, 2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 24, 2021
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.
Jul 21, 2021
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
Jul 21, 2021
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)
Jul 26, 2021
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 26, 2021
Received in the House.
Jul 26, 2021
Held at the desk.
  • January 28, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 28, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.


  • March 16, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-746
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.


  • April 28, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.


  • May 26, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.


  • June 24, 2021
    Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 24, 2021
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 83.


  • July 21, 2021
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)


  • July 21, 2021
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5023; text: CR S5023)


  • July 26, 2021
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • July 26, 2021
    Received in the House.


  • July 26, 2021
    Held at the desk.
Kyrsten Sinema

Kyrsten Sinema

Independent Senator

Arizona

Cosponsors (17)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Angus S. King (Independent)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)John Boozman (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Joe Manchin (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Susan M. Collins (Republican)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Veterans' Affairs Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • HR 117-746: Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID–19 Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthDisability and paralysisEmergency medical services and trauma careHealth information and medical recordsInfectious and parasitic diseasesMedical tests and diagnostic methodsVeterans' medical careVeterans' pensions and compensation