H.R. 5607House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2021

To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend increased dependency and indemnity compensation paid to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, regardless of how long the veterans had such disease prior to death.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 7:24 AM UTC

The Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2021 expands the increased Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefit to the surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It removes the requirement that the veteran have had ALS for a certain period before death, and it defines a surviving spouse as someone married to the veteran for at least eight continuous years. The changes apply to ALS deaths occurring on or after October 1, 2021, and affect veterans’ families receiving VA compensation.

Key Provisions

Amends 38 U.S.C. §1311(a)(2) to treat any veteran who dies from ALS as eligible for the increased DIC rate, regardless of how long they had the disease.
Defines “surviving spouse” for this benefit as a person married to the veteran for a continuous period of eight years or more before the veteran’s death.
Makes the amendment effective for ALS deaths on or after October 1, 2021.

Legislative Activity

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5 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

November 4, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 19, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

October 19, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee

November 2, 2021

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

November 4, 2021

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 8.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

November 4, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Discharged.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

November 4, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 19, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5607

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 19, 2021

Ms. Slotkin (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

A BILL

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2021.

Extension of increased dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

(a)

Extension

Section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

by inserting (A) before The rate; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(B)

A veteran who died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis shall be treated as a veteran described in subparagraph (A) without regard for how long the veteran had such disease prior to death.

(C)

For purposes of the payment of compensation under this subsection by reason of the death of veteran described in subparagraph (B), the term surviving spouse means a person who was married to the veteran for a continuous period of eight years or longer prior to the death of the veteran.

(b)

Applicability

Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 1311(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall apply to a veteran who dies from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on or after October 1, 2021.