H.R. 2278 — Survivor Benefits Delivery Improvement Act of 2025

This section, cited as the “Survivor Benefits Data Collection Act of 2025,” adds a new section 5322 to 38 U.S.C. ch. 53 requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in consultation with the Advisory Committees on Minority and Women Veterans, the Veterans’ Family, Caregiver, and Survivor Advisory Committee, and veterans service organizations, to (1) develop by 180 days after enactment, and implement, a method to collect demographic data (i.e., race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation, LGBTQIA+ status, and geographic location) on covered survivors (i.e., surviving spouses, children, or parents of veterans) receiving disability or indemnity compensation under ch. 13, pension under ch. 15, increased pension for aid and attendance or being housebound, or burial benefits under ch. 23; (2) designate underserved demographics based on the data with biennial reviews; and (3) include the data in annual Veterans Benefits Administration benefits reports starting one year after collection begins. The section further requires the Secretary to submit to the congressional Veterans’ Affairs Committees, within one year of initial underserved designations, an outreach and education strategy for specified benefits among covered survivors in underserved demographics. Additionally, the section directs the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs to (1) submit to the Committees, within 180 days of initial designations, an outreach plan for national cemetery burial eligibility under 38 U.S.C. §2303 among veterans and beneficiaries in underserved demographics; (2) implement related education activities; and (3) submit annual reports on these efforts for five years starting one year after initial designations. (Nothing in the section requires submission of demographic data or authorizes its consideration in claims adjudication.)

This section expands the scope of VA outreach services under subchapter I of chapter 63, title 38, U.S. Code, to "covered individuals," defined to include veterans and individuals who served in the uniformed services (previously limited to veterans or eligible veterans), by amending definitions and terminology in §§6301(b), 6302, 6303, and 6306. The section further (1) establishes, in new §6308(c), requirements for outreach services by mail, email, and telephone at least once each calendar quarter to eligible dependents (or legal guardians of minor dependents) of deceased covered individuals until a benefits claim is filed, including information on the Office of Survivors Assistance, claim filing assistance from veterans service organizations or accredited representatives, and how to locate such entities nearby (with opt-out option and consultation from specified advisory committees); and (2) directs establishment of at least five but not more than 10 full-time equivalent positions at VA call centers to implement §6308(c).