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Bill gives surviving spouses of fully disabled veterans access to VA loans

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-05) has introduced bipartisan legislation that corrects a current injustice in the VA home loan system.  Her bill, the Disabled Veterans’ Surviving Spouses Home Loans Act, provides access to VA home loans for surviving spouses of permanently disabled veterans whose deaths are not necessarily attributed to their service-related disability. 

“America has a solemn obligation to our brave, disabled veterans and their families,” Foxx said.  “This bill takes us one step closer to fulfilling that obligation by correcting a flaw in the VA home loan system.”

Under current law, most surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths were not service-connected, but who had permanent, service-connected disabilities, are eligible to receive monthly compensation payments from the VA.  These same spouses could not, however qualify for a VA home loan.  Foxx’s bill, H.R. 5555, corrects this problem by making these spouses eligible for the loan.

Her bill has been endorsed by the Disabled American Veterans, America Legion, the MOAA and the VFW upon consensus that this legislation is long overdue. The 2.1 million member-strong Veterans of Foreign Wars stated in a letter of support that “allowing a military widow to utilize the VA home loan program is the right thing to do.”

Foxx’s legislation rightfully gives disabled veterans with permanent and total disabilities the peace of mind that their surviving spouses will be able to benefit from the VA Home Loan Guaranty after their death. 

“These veterans and their families made incredible sacrifices so that we may live free and without fear,’ Foxx said. “For their service and sacrifice, they deserve to be eligible for this benefit.”