Gerald’s Law Act

The Gerald’s Law Act expands burial and funeral allowances to veterans who die at home or in a hospice setting, provided their hospice care was immediately preceded by VA hospital or nursing home care. This change adds a new eligibility category for veterans transitioning from VA institutional care to hospice at home or in a facility, directly affecting veterans and their families in these end-of-life care scenarios. The bill amends existing law to include these cases under the same benefits previously available only to veterans who died in VA facilities. The amendment takes effect as if included in the 2020 Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act.