A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits and assistance provided to surviving spouses of veterans under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 - Allows dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) paid through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the surviving spouses of veterans to be increased for months occurring during the five-year (under current law, two-year) period beginning on the date of entitlement.
Provides that the remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of VA DIC, health care, educational assistance, and housing loans.
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly-affected child of a Vietnam veteran.
Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing grief counseling services for the surviving spouses of veterans who die while serving on active duty.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 258.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S736)
Motion by Senator Reid to commit to Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs with instructions to report back forthwith with amendment (SA 2767) fell when the bill was committed in Senate. (consideration: CR S1209-1210)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2686)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2686-2687)
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
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