US HB680

Increases Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses from a flat $1,154 to 55% of the rate paid to veterans with 100% disability under section 1114(j)

Changes take effect six months after enactment, with survivors of veterans who died before January 1, 1993 receiving whichever amount is greater under the old or new formula

Reduces the required period of total disability rating before death from 10 years to 5 years for survivors to qualify for DIC benefits

Creates prorated DIC payments for survivors when the veteran's continuous total disability rating was between 5 and 10 years, calculated proportionally to the 10-year benchmark

Introduced January 23, 2025 by Rep. Hayes (D) and Rep. Fitzpatrick (R), referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs