Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act of 2025

House Votes

This bill makes it easier for certain surviving spouses of veterans to qualify for VA survivor benefits when the veteran was rated totally disabled at the time of death. It adds clear rules for who counts as a surviving spouse, focusing on real-life relationships, not just paperwork.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Surviving spouses of veterans who were rated totally disabled at death.
• What changes: A spouse qualifies if they were married to the veteran for at least one year right before the veteran’s death, or if they lived together for at least one year and presented themselves to others as married—even if either person also had another legal or religious marriage during that time.
• What it means: Couples who lived as spouses for a year, even without formal marriage paperwork, can be recognized so the survivor can access certain VA benefits.