INCREASING DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS

INCREASING DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 25 (Thursday, February 6, 2025)] [House] [Page H538] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] {time} 1715 INCREASING DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION BENEFITS (Mrs. HAYES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, in 1993, the VA established the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, benefits which are paid to the survivors of servicemembers who died in the line of duty or to veterans who died from service-related injuries or conditions. Unfortunately, the DIC benefits have fallen drastically behind the cost of living, causing a financial hardship on veterans and military families. That is why I have led the introduction of the bipartisan Caring for Survivors Act, which would increase the DIC benefits from 43 percent to 55 percent, amounting to an increase of approximately $454 per month for surviving family members. The legislation also fast-tracks DIC benefits to family members who currently have to wait a decade before receiving benefits. Honoring the sacrifices our servicemembers make on behalf of our Nation means caring for the loved ones they leave behind. ____________________