S. 89 · 117th Congress
Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID–19 Act of 2021
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Passed the Senate without a recorded vote, then expired. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted, but didn't become law before the 117th Congress ended.
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SinemaSponsor17 cosponsors · 12 D, 4 R, 1 I
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Boozman
RB
D
Blumenthal
CC
D
Coons
JS
D
Shaheen
TT
R
Tillis
EW
D
Warren
JM
D
Manchin
SC
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Collins
JR
D
Reed
EM
D
Markey
RW
R
Wicker
SW
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Whitehouse
MK
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Kelly
GP
D
Peters
TB
D
Baldwin
MH
D
Hassan
AK
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King6 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- Senate Introduced Jan 28, 2021
- Senate Passed Jul 21, 2021
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19.
What it does: CRS summary · Passed Senate · Jul 21, 2021
Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to obtain a medical opinion that determines whether a service-connected disability was the principal or contributory cause of death for a veteran who died from COVID-19.
Specifically, the VA must obtain this determination before notifying a claimant for survivor benefits of the final decision regarding such benefits in any case where
- a dependency and indemnity compensation claim is filed in relation to a veteran with one or more service-connected disabilities who dies,
- the death certificate for the veteran identifies COVID-19 as the principal or contributory cause of death,
- the death certificate does not clearly identify any of the service-connected disabilities as the principal or contributory cause of death,
- the veteran's service-connected disability includes a condition more likely to cause severe illness from COVID-19,
- the claimant is not entitled to certain dependency and indemnity compensation benefits, and
- the evidence to support the claim does not result in a preliminary finding in favor of the claimant.
The VA must provide information to veterans, their dependents, and veterans service organizations about applying for dependency and indemnity compensation when a veteran dies from COVID-19. Such information must be available through the VA's website and via other outreach mechanisms.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Ensuring Survivor Benefits during COVID-19 Act of 2021
Also known as: Ensuring Survivor Benefits During COVID–19 Act of 2021
Latest action (Jul 26, 2021): Held at the desk.
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Jan 28, 2021
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
- Senate Introduced Jan 28, 2021
- Senate Passed Jul 21, 2021
No recorded floor vote found.