Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

This bill would establish a process for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to distribute pension payments that were awarded to a veteran but remained unpaid at the time of their death. The funds would be issued to the veteran's surviving spouse, children, dependent parents, or estate, provided a claim is filed within one year of the veteran's passing. If no application is submitted within that timeframe, the bill proposes that the payment be directed to the veteran's estate, unless the assets would otherwise revert to the state.

This bill affects the surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of deceased veterans who were entitled to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension payments that remained unpaid at the time of death. It also impacts the estates of these veterans and the VA officials responsible for processing accrued benefit applications. Additionally, the bill applies to claimants who must file for these accrued benefits within one year of the veteran's passing.

• Establishment of payment procedures for unpaid veteran pensions. The bill creates a process for the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue pension payments that were awarded to a veteran before their death but remained unpaid at the time of death.
• Priority list for pension recipients. Unpaid pension benefits must be paid to the first available recipient in a specific order: a living spouse, living children, living dependent parents, or the veteran's estate.
• Application requirements for accrued benefits. Claimants must file an application for accrued benefits within one year of the veteran's death to be eligible for payment.
• Automatic payment to the veteran's estate. If no application is filed within one year of the veteran's death, the pension must be paid to the veteran's estate, provided the funds do not transfer to the state.

• H.R. 3123, Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act
  Oct 7, 2025 · As ordered reported by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on July 23, 2025

This bill modifies Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) procedures for the distribution of accrued benefits by establishing a specific priority list of recipients for pensions awarded but unpaid at the time of a veteran's death. It also clarifies application requirements and timelines for claimants seeking these accrued benefits.

This bill aims to ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pension payments awarded to a veteran before their death, but not yet paid, are distributed to their surviving family members or estate. It establishes a specific order of priority for recipients and sets a one-year application timeline for claimants to secure these accrued benefits.