The act introduces a new section, 5121B, that requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay any unpaid pension after a veteran’s death to the first living person or entity listed: the spouse, the children (in equal shares), the dependent parents (in equal shares), or the estate, unless the estate will escheat. If no application is filed within one year of the veteran’s death, the pension is paid to the estate. The provision applies to deaths occurring on or after the act’s effective date . Section 5121B also includes technical and conforming amendments to ensure consistency with existing pension rules. The bill extends the deadline for certain pension limits by changing the cutoff from November 30, 2031, to December 31, 2031, a change that provides additional time for veterans and families to meet eligibility requirements. This extension is part of the bill’s effort to improve the timely distribution of benefits and clarify the process for heirs and estates. The overall goal is to streamline benefit payments and reduce administrative delays.