The "Fisher House Availability Act of 2026" seeks to expand the availability of Department of Veterans Affairs temporary lodging to certain individuals. It amends Section 1708 of title 38, United States Code, to specify eligibility criteria. Additionally, the bill extends certain limits on payments of pension by amending Section 5503(d)(7) of title 38, United States Code, from "January 31, 2033" to "July 31, 2033". This bill aims to impact veterans' access to temporary lodging and extend pension payments for eligible individuals.
Fisher House Availability Act of 2026
This bill expands eligibility for temporary lodging at a Fisher House to additional individuals receiving medical care or treatment at a Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility or those accompanying individuals receiving such treatment. (Fisher Houses are where the VA furnishes no-cost lodging to veterans and other eligible individuals when receiving treatment or accompanying an individual receiving treatment.)
Specifically, the bill authorizes the VA to provide lodging at a Fisher House on a space-available basis to
- members of the uniformed services performing active duty (i.e., covered beneficiaries) who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services;
- family members and others accompanying such covered beneficiaries to receive care or services;
- veterans, members of a veteran's family, and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of a veteran's family to receive care or services; and
- covered beneficiaries, members of a covered beneficiary’s family, and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of a beneficiary’s family to receive care or services.
Finally, the bill extends the limitation on pension amounts for certain hospitalized or institutionalized veterans through July 31, 2033.