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House members press to raise survivor DIC and shorten eligibility timeline
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Summary
Representative Hayes urged the committee to advance the Caring for Survivors Act to increase monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation by about $450 and reduce the disability duration requirement from 10 to 5 years to expand eligibility.
Representative Hayes told the committee that the Caring for Survivors Act would modernize DIC by raising monthly payments by roughly $450 and shortening the qualifying period from 10 to 5 years so surviving spouses and families receive needed support sooner.
Hayes framed the change as a small but meaningful improvement that brings DIC closer to survivor benefits available to other federal civilian employees. Members on both sides acknowledged cost concerns but said they were open to working on revenue and pay‑for options to move the measure.
The hearing did not yield a vote; Hayes urged the committee to schedule markup and emphasized constituent stories she had heard about widows and children struggling under the current rules.
