What This Bill Does
The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 would raise certain Veterans Affairs payments and expand some VA home-loan eligibility rules. It adds a new $833.33 monthly supplemental allowance for veterans already receiving aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. 1114(r) or (t), starting December 1, 2026. It also changes how dependency and indemnity compensation is automatically increased, extends some VA housing-loan fee waivers and pension payment limits through September 30, 2036, and broadens home-loan access for certain Guard, Reserve, and National Guard members.
- Adds a new $833.33 monthly supplemental allowance for veterans eligible for aid and attendance under 38 U.S.C. 1114(r) or (t).
- Starts that new allowance on December 1, 2026, and applies it to months beginning on or after that date.
- Changes DIC increases under 38 U.S.C. 5312 to track Social Security COLAs plus 1%, then 1/2 of 1% after the first increase.
- Extends certain VA housing-loan fee waiver dates from June 9, 2034 to September 30, 2036.
- Expands VA home-loan eligibility for some Reserve and National Guard service, including some people with at least 14 days of qualifying service plus training completion.
Who This Bill Affects
For veterans who need aid and attendance, this bill would add $833.33 per month starting December 1, 2026, which is a meaningful increase in cash support. For surviving spouses and other DIC recipients, it would tie future increases more closely to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and add a small extra percentage. It could also help some Guard, Reserve, and National Guard members qualify for VA home loans, though some newly eligible borrowers would pay an additional loan fee.
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- Veterans with severe disabilities Supporters would say the $833.33 monthly supplemental allowance better reflects the extra costs faced by veterans who qualify for aid and attendance. For people needing help with daily living, even a modest monthly increase can help pay for caregiving, transportation, or other essential support.
- Surviving spouses and other DIC recipients Supporters would argue that linking DIC increases to Social Security COLAs plus an added percentage helps survivor benefits keep pace with inflation. That matters because these households often rely on fixed monthly income and can be hit hard by rising costs.
- Guard, Reserve, and National Guard service members seeking homeownership Supporters would say the expanded definition of active duty and the new eligibility path for some members with at least 14 days of service make VA-backed home loans more accessible to people whose service may not fit older definitions. They may view the added loan fee as a reasonable trade-off for opening the program to more service members.
- Fiscal conservatives and budget watchdogs Opponents may argue that the bill expands VA obligations in multiple places at once, including a new monthly allowance and broader home-loan eligibility. They could worry about higher federal costs and about whether the added fee fully offsets the new benefits.
- Some veterans and borrowers sensitive to fees Opponents may object to the new 1.00 percentage-point loan-fee increase for certain borrowers who qualify under section 3701(b)(8). They could see that as a barrier to homeownership for people with limited savings, especially younger service members.
- Administrators concerned about complexity Opponents may say the bill adds administrative complexity by creating different effective dates, a temporary DIC adjustment formula, and multiple categories of qualifying service for housing loans. More complex rules can make it harder for VA staff and applicants to understand and apply benefits correctly.
Key Implications
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““supplemental monthly allowance at the rate of $833.33””
This is a direct cash increase for veterans already receiving aid and attendance under section 1114(r) or (t). It would raise monthly compensation for people with substantial care needs.
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““take effect on December 1, 2026””
The new disability allowance does not begin immediately. Eligible veterans would see the change only for months starting on or after that date.
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““increase the dollar amounts… by a percentage equal to… the percentage… increased; and one percent””
This ties certain survivor benefits to Social Security cost-of-living increases and adds an extra bump. The formula is designed to automatically adjust DIC when Social Security benefits rise.
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““September 30, 2036””
The bill extends several VA housing-loan fee waiver and pension-related dates to this later deadline. That means the current rules would remain in place longer before expiring or changing.
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““the term ‘active duty’ has the meanings as follows””
This expands who counts as having qualifying service for VA home-loan purposes, especially among Reserve and National Guard members. It can open access to VA-backed mortgages for people whose service was previously excluded or narrower under the housing-loan rules.
Latest Status
June 2, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.