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S 735 113th Congress Senate Armed Forces and National Security Asia Child health Conflicts and wars Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Hereditary and development disorders Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care Marriage and family status Mental health Military personnel and dependents Neurological disorders Thailand Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs Veterans' medical care Veterans' pensions and compensation

Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013

Introduced: April 16, 2013 Introduced by: Sanders, Bernard Independent · Vermont See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 12, 2013
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.
Apr 16, 2013
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2686-2687)
Apr 16, 2013
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2686)
Apr 16, 2013
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now June 12, 2013

Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-111.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • S 944 Related bill Veterans Health and Benefits Improvement Act of 2013
  • S 1950 Related bill Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014
  • S 1982 Related bill Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014
  • S 2413 Related bill Restoring Veterans Trust Act of 2014
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 735: Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-735/
MLA
"S. 735: Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-735/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 735, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-735/.
Markdown link
[S. 735: Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-S-735/)
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