Michigan Rep. Barrett's Bill Aims to Increase Benefits for Gold Star Families and Disabled Veterans
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill led by Michigan Representative Tom Barrett, which seeks to provide significant financial support to severely disabled veterans and Gold Star families. The bill, known as the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, proposes a supplemental monthly allowance of $833.33 for veterans requiring in-home care, amounting to approximately $10,000 annually. Additionally, it aims to enhance survivor compensation by linking it to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments, with an extra one-percentage-point increase on the first adjustment. The legislation also includes changes to VA home-loan fee waivers, extends certain pension limits, and expands housing-loan eligibility for Guard and Reserve members. The bill's passage follows advocacy efforts by Gold Star spouses and veterans groups, who have been pushing for improved military survivor benefits.