NY S09790

Expands gold star annuity eligibility to include spouses and minor children of service members who died on active duty, previously limited to parents only.

Increases annuity base amount to $500 annually with automatic adjustments each year matching the federal Department of Veterans Affairs compensation and pension benefit increase (rounded up, minimum 1% to maximum 4%).

Defines eligible recipients as parents (including adoptive and step-parents), unremarried or remarried spouses, and biological, step, or adopted minor children through age 17.

Requires applicants to be New York state residents and domiciled in the state; annuity terminates upon death or loss of state residency but may be reinstated upon return.

Establishes effective date of annuity as the day after service member's death if application received within one year; otherwise effective date is application receipt date.