Challenges and Solutions in Supporting Military Survivors: Insights from Congressional Hearing

By: Aditi Sapru, Legislative Intern

The Congressional hearing on January 30, 2024, highlighted the complex challenges faced by the survivor community of military veterans and examined the Department of Veterans Affairs' initiatives to address their needs, revealing a pressing need for comprehensive reforms. Despite comprising only 1% of American families, survivors lack seamless access to healthcare and benefits, with their issues often considered a low priority. Proposed legislative actions, like the Survivors Benefits Delivery Improvement Act and the Prioritizing Veterans Survivors Act, aim to rectify these disparities and ensure equitable support for military survivors, emphasizing the urgency of addressing their needs promptly.

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In a January 30, 2024, Congressional hearing, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs delved into the multifaceted issues confronting the survivor community of military veterans and examined the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) initiatives to address their unique needs. The proceedings underscored the myriad challenges faced by survivors and shed light on the pressing need for comprehensive reforms within the VA. 

The hearing drew attention to the survivor community, which comprises only 1% of the American families. Despite their relatively small numbers, the survivor community should have seamless access to healthcare and the benefits earned by their service members. However, committee staff acknowledged that the issues faced by survivors currently take a backseat in terms of priority within the broader veterans' affairs landscape. A poignant aspect discussed was the pivotal role played by spouses and children as primary caregivers for veterans. The sacrifices made by these individuals were emphasized, as they often bear the brunt of challenges related to healthcare and benefits. Despite the VA's commitment to serving these families, committee staff conceded that survivors' issues are currently considered “less of a priority”. 

A significant concern raised during the hearing was the lack of awareness among survivors regarding the benefits available to them. This lack of awareness was exacerbated by outdated information on the VA website, leading to confusion and difficulties in navigating the system. The lengthy and cumbersome process of obtaining Survivor's Family claims, taking years to process, was identified as a considerable barrier to accessing benefits. The ChampVA program, designed to support survivors, faced criticism for its delays, denials of services, and even instances of turning away survivors seeking crucial mental health support. 

Representative Takano, a key participant in the hearing, highlighted the underutilization of benefits and the critical need for targeted outreach to disadvantaged populations. He introduced the "Survivors Benefits Delivery Improvement" Act, a legislative proposal aimed at addressing staffing gaps, enhancing outreach efforts, and providing comprehensive information to survivors before veterans pass away. The proposed bill also outlined measures to increase pensions, promote equitable access, and establish a "Survivors Solid Start" program to ensure that survivors are well-informed about the benefits available to them. Another important development mentioned during the hearing was the establishment of the Office of Survivors Assistance (OSA) in 2008. However, under the Biden administration, this office was shifted outside the Secretary's office to Pension and Fiduciary Services, which does not oversee all the required benefits. Witnesses questioned the diminishing support from the Secretary's office, prompting discussions around the introduction of the Prioritizing Veterans Survivors Act. This proposed legislation seeks to rectify the situation by returning oversight to the Secretary's office, ensuring a consistent presence in decision-making processes. 

The hearing also featured insights from witnesses, including Dr. Mark Upton, Hon. Joshua Jacobs, and Mr. Kevin Friel. Hon. Jacobs shared details about the VA's collaborative efforts with partners, highlighting an 18% staff increase in the pension department and the successful delivery of benefits to over 300,000 survivors in the last fiscal year. However, he acknowledged that more work is needed, particularly in increasing awareness of benefits and improving access to them.

​Numerous questions were raised during the hearing, probing the functionality of the OSA, addressing delays in benefits, modernizing programs such as Chapter 35 education and scholarship initiatives, and tackling prolonged payment delays for survivors. The discussions also touched on pertinent issues such as fraudulent activities targeting veterans' families and the heavy reliance on non-profit organizations which are funded by member costs. This discussion brought to light the paradoxical situation where, despite the Department of Veterans Affairs having a substantial budget of $3.9 billion and 25,000 employees, a significant portion of support for survivors is channeled through 16 non-profit organizations. These non-profits, funded by member costs, play a crucial role in providing assistance. However, lawmakers raised concerns about whether the VA would support the allocation of a more substantial part of the federal budget to directly support these non-profit organizations, ensuring a more robust and sustainable system for aiding military survivors. This reliance on external organizations underscores a potential gap in the direct allocation of resources within the VA, prompting further exploration into how federal budgets can better serve the needs of the survivor community. 

​In summary, the congressional hearing provided a comprehensive overview of the persistent challenges facing military survivors and underscored the need for urgent and holistic reforms within the VA. The proposed legislative actions, including the Prioritizing Veterans Survivors Act and the Survivors Benefits Delivery Improvement Act, aim to enhance support, increase awareness, and ensure equitable access for the survivor community. The hearing emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues promptly to honor the sacrifices made by military families.