Dear friend,

Each Veterans Day, we reflect on the sacrifices the men and women of our armed services have made for the good of our country. Veterans put themselves on the line so that we may enjoy the freedoms and liberties afforded to us today.

In Congress, advocating for veterans and their families remains one of my top priorities. I believe it is our responsibility to fight not only for veterans, but also the families they have left behind. I introduced the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025, to ensure the families of servicemembers, who gave their lives for our country, are supported after their loved ones have passed. This bill would increase the monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits for surviving families of veterans. DIC benefits were established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 1993. There have been minimal updates to the program, leaving survivors without the benefits they deserve. My hope is this legislation could ease some financial burdens for the families of our fallen heroes. You can read more about how this legislation would expand DIC benefits here.

Additionally, as Ranking Member of the Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, I understand the desperate need to improve access to federal nutrition programs for disabled veterans. Nearly 1.4 million veterans face food insecurity. This March, I introduced the Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2025, which would expand the eligibility of disabled veterans who would qualify for SNAP. In addition, those disabled veterans who are eligible for SNAP under this legislation would be exempt from the SNAP work requirements. You can read more about the bill here.

For their dedication to our country, we are forever indebted to the brave men and women of our armed services. It is our duty to ensure they receive their earned benefits. My Waterbury District Office was named a Purple Heart Congressional Office in 2020, for our commitment to veterans’ constituent services. As a Purple Heart Congressional Office, we are listed along the national Purple Heart Trail, a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges and other monuments that pay tribute to those who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Our office remains the only Congressional office on the East Coast to have received this distinction. I am grateful our office is seen as a safe place where veterans can come to for assistance. 

If you are a service member in need of assistance accessing benefits, receiving awards, or navigating the VA, please contact my office at (860) 223-8412.

It is my honor to serve as your Member of Congress. I hope this letter inspires you to reflect on the significance of today. 

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress