Change That Would Simplify Transferring GI Bill Benefits to Spouses, Children Gains Foothold in Congress

Lawmakers are hoping to clarify the process of serving members transferring their GI Bill benefits to dependents with a bill introduced in the Senate on Wednesday.

Specifically, the bill would eliminate a field on forms service members must fill out to transfer their benefits that is the "cause of many incorrectly completed transfer forms," according to a news release from Sen. Tommy Tuberville's office.

Forms to transfer the benefit require service members to specify an end date when the benefit will no longer be available to the dependent. But, according to the news release, there are "multiple examples of service members misreading the information requested in the GI Bill benefit transfer forms, resulting in eligible dependents being barred from education benefits."

"Our service members and their families sacrifice greatly for our freedoms, and it isn't right that confusing paperwork can get in the way of a dependent receiving education benefits after the tragedy of losing a loved one," Tuberville, R-Ala., who introduced the bill, said in the press release.

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The forms have particularly been an issue when a service member dies and dependents can't change their paperwork to use any remaining benefits.

Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., are co-sponsors. A companion bill was introduced in the House last month by Reps. Greg Murphy, R-N.C.; Cindy Axne, D-Iowa; and David Trone, D-Md.

Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a service member can transfer their benefits to a spouse or child if they have served for at least six years and commit to serving another four years.

The bill introduced Wednesday would eliminate the "end date" field and the benefit would simply expire on the dependent's 26th birthday, as specified elsewhere in law.

The bill is backed by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS, which said the measure is needed to "ensure surviving spouses and children who are using transferred entitlement are not disqualified due to a technicality."

"This much needed legislation will give the Department of Veterans Affairs the authority to remove the end date on transferred entitlement and strengthens benefits for surviving families," TAPS President and Founder Bonnie Carroll said in the statement released by Tuberville's office.

-- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel.

Related: House Votes to Expand GI Bill Eligibility for National Guard, Reserves