Bill · S. 5266· Senate(119-S-5266)
Veterans’ Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/5/2026
- Last activity
- 8/5/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- James Risch
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Veterans' Earned Benefits Access Act of 2026," aims to amend title 10 of the United States Code. It seeks to provide more flexibility regarding how the government recoups separation, severance, and readjustment pay from members of the Armed Forces who are receiving veterans' disability compensation. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would have the authority to collect these debts through monthly installments, lump sums, or other determined payment plans. Additionally, the bill allows for the waiver of these deductions if a member proves it would cause financial hardship. The Secretary must also create regulations to ensure monthly deductions do not exceed 25 percent of the member's monthly compensation.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+6
The bill provides positive protections via hardship waivers and a cap on monthly deductions from disability pay.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+5
The bill improves benefit management by allowing flexible repayment and financial hardship waivers.
Does this help veterans get medical care?+3
The bill provides financial flexibility and hardship protections for veterans receiving disability compensation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Flexible Repayment Options: The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may allow members to pay back owed funds through monthly installments, a lump sum, or other payment plans, providing more options for how the debt is handled (Section 2(a)(B)(i)).
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Financial Hardship Protections: The Secretary can waive the requirement for deductions if a member demonstrates that the payments would create a financial hardship (Section 2(a)(B)(ii)).
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Deduction Limits: Regulations must be created to ensure that any monthly deduction does not exceed 25 percent of the member's veterans' disability compensation for that month, which acts as a safeguard for the member's monthly income (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Application Process: The bill requires the establishment of a specific process for members to apply for a hardship waiver (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Debt Collection from Disability Payments: The bill amends the law to allow for the deduction of separation, severance, and readjustment pay directly from a member's disability compensation (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+6
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Veterans Healthcare+3
- 8/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate