U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) today introduced the “Next of Kin Collections Protection Act” to improve the pensions payments process for veteran families after the death of the beneficiary.
“Our veterans have served our country bravely and were willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. The least we can do is ensure that their families are not burdened with prorated benefits programs in their time of grieving. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to support our military families by improving the pension benefits payment process,” said Daines.
“Our debt of gratitude to those who wear our country’s uniform must extend to their families and loved ones for their own service and sacrifice. With this legislation, we can give these families back some peace of mind and alleviate potential financial burdens they shouldn’t have to carry as they mourn their loved one,” said Kim.
Read the bill text HERE.
Background:
The bill ensures that veterans receive their accrued pension benefit in the event of a month of death claim, or if payment for the month of the death has been issued. Under this bill, if a veteran with a pension under an existing rating or decision dies, the effective date of discontinuances of compensation is the last day of the month in which such death occurs. This will prevent the VA from coming to collect pension benefits that were approved before the death but paid out afterwards due to processing delays at the VA Pension Management Center.
Daines and Kim also introduced the bill in the 118th Congress. Read the press release HERE.