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TAPS Advocates for All Military Survivors 

TAPS exists to support all those grieving a death in the military and veteran community, regardless of where or how the death occurred. A critical piece of that commitment is advocating for improvements in programs and services provided by federal, state, and local governments. Our team is dedicated to empowering survivors to use their voices to spark change while working closely with government leaders and lawmakers to advance policy and legislation that impacts life after unspeakable tragedy.

Message your legislators with your own story and advocate our top legislative priorities: the Love Lives On Act and the Caring for Survivors Act.

For more information on TAPS Military Survivor Advocacy, contact us at policy@taps.org.

 

capitol  Priorities
what we are working on

handshake Accomplishments
wins for survivors

megaphoneAdvocacy Week
Survivors on the Hill

learn Statements
for the record

sharing  Articles
on advocacy and policy

 

Advocacy Week - September 23 to 26, 2024

 

Surviving families from all over the country come to Capitol Hill every September for TAPS Gold Star Families Advocacy Week. Surviving families walk the halls of Congress to help build support for TAPS legislative priorities. Survivors share their powerful stories and lead the way to change for the entire military survivor community.

You can take action from home by sending a message to your legislators with your own story and advocating for our top legislative priorities: the Love Lives On Act and the Caring for Survivors Act.

Follow TAPS on X (Twitter) during the event to keep current on what is happening!

Read TAPS Press Release on Gold Star Families Advocacy Week.

See photos from the Congressional Reception and Meetings with Legislators on Capitol Hill

TAPS Survivors at Advocacy Week September 2023

 

Current Legislative Priorities

 
Couple Holding Hands
End the Remarriage Penalty

A top priority for TAPS is to secure the right for surviving spouses to remarry at any age and and not forfeit loss of financial benefits such as education, medical care, commissary and exchange benefits.

 
 
Widow Tax Legislation House get together
Improve Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

TAPS is working with Congress to pass the Caring for Survivors Act, to bring Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments in line with benefits for surviving spouses of federal employees.

 
 
survivors console each other
Treat Suicide as a Presumptive Service-Connected Cause of Death for Veterans

TAPS has been on the front lines of suicide postvention efforts to support military families grieving deaths by suicide, and supports prioritizing mental health care for both veterans and survivors.

 
 
young adults
Provide Tricare and Champva Young Adult Coverage in Parity With The Affordable Care Act

TAPS supports the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act which would allow TRICARE young adults to remain on their parents' policy up to age 26.

 
Soldier against fire background
Ensure Implementation of the PACT Act

TAPS is the leading voice for the families of those who died as a result of toxic exposure illnesses, is co-chair of the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition, and is working to ensure proper implementation.

 
Navy Family
Create One Gi Bill for All Veterans, Survivors and Families

TAPS long-term goal is to bring all survivors into the Fry Scholarship and phase out the Vietnam Era Dependents Education Assistance (Chapter 35).

 
 
computer and paperwork
Ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs Collect Cause of Death Data

Collecting cause of death data will help provide necessary care and programs for surviving families, as well as research into suicide prevention, toxic exposures, and illnesses of many veterans.

 
healthy food
Protect And Preserve Commissary and Exchange Benefits

TAPS urges Congress to continue to preserve Commissary benefits, maintain funding for Exchanges and allow surviving spouses who remarry under 55 to retain their benefits.

 

Related Articles and Videos

 
PACT Act signed into Law
PACT Act Benefits for Veterans and Survivors

TAPS worked with fellow veteran service organizations and advocates to pass the comprehensive bipartisan law signed on August 10, 2022.

 
 
Bonnie Carroll Statement for the Record
TAPS Statement for the Record

Bonnie Carroll presented TAPS Statement for the Record before the Committees On Veterans' Affairs United States Senate and House of Representatives.

 
at the gravestone
Agency Over Agent Orange

When a loved one's illness comes years after military service, survivors can feel disconnected from military & veteran support services. TAPS is here to help navigate this journey with you.

 
 
Candace Wheeler speaking in front of Podium at Capitol Hill
Surviving Military Spouses Axed the Widow's Tax

Several members of the TAPS Family key to efforts that ultimately axed the Widow's Tax share about their work on this historic legislation.

 
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