The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 increases disability compensation, enhances Dependency and Indemnity Compensation adjustments, extends certain VA home loan fee structures, and broadens VA home loan eligibility for National Guard and Reserve members.
Tom Barrett
Representative
MI-7
The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 significantly enhances benefits for veterans and service members. It increases disability compensation with a new monthly allowance for certain veterans and ties future Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) adjustments to Social Security cost-of-living increases plus an extra percentage. The bill also expands VA home loan eligibility to include National Guard and Reserve members with at least 14 days of qualifying service, though these borrowers will pay a higher loan fee. Finally, it extends the current VA home loan fee structure and modifies definitions of active duty for Guard and Reserve components.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat | 212 | 30 | 176 | 6 |
Republican | 218 | 205 | 3 | 10 |
Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026: $833 Monthly Disability Boost and Faster Home Loan Access for National Guard
This bill significantly ramps up financial support for veterans with severe disabilities and opens the door to homeownership for National Guard and Reserve members much earlier in their careers. Starting December 1, 2026, veterans who already qualify for 'aid and attendance' benefits will see an extra $833.33 added to their monthly checks. Additionally, the bill changes how cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) work for survivor benefits; instead of just matching Social Security increases, these payments will get a 'COLA-plus' boost—an extra 1% the first year and 0.5% the second year—to help families keep up with rising costs.
Faster Tracks to Homeownership
Under current rules, many Guard and Reserve members have to wait years or meet strict mobilization requirements to snag a VA home loan. This bill creates a 14-day 'fast track.' If a service member completes just 14 days of qualifying active duty and finishes their initial entry-level and skill training, they become eligible for a VA-backed mortgage (Section 5). For a young Guard member who just finished tech school and is looking to buy their first home in a competitive market, this could shave years off the wait for a zero-down-payment loan.
The Cost of Convenience
While the bill expands access, it also asks some borrowers to chip in more. To fund these changes, the bill hikes several VA loan fees. For example, some fees are jumping from 0.50% to 1.42% (Section 3). More notably, those who use the new 14-day eligibility rule will pay a 'convenience fee' of sorts—their loan fee will be 1.00 percentage point higher than the standard rate. If the normal fee is 2.15%, these early-access borrowers will pay 3.15%. On a $300,000 home, that’s an extra $3,000 tacked onto the loan balance, so the trade-off for faster access is a slightly higher long-term cost.
Extending the Fine Print
Beyond the immediate cash boosts, the bill keeps several existing financial rules on the books longer than planned. It extends the current VA loan fee structure and certain pension payment limits through September 30, 2036 (Section 4). While this provides stability for the VA's budget, it also locks in higher fee rates that were originally scheduled to drop sooner. For the average veteran, this means the 'temporary' fees we’ve been paying on home loans are becoming the long-term reality for the next decade.