---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 3601"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "3601"
heading: "Definition of emergency situation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/3601"
units:
  - "Part III — Readjustment and Related Benefits"
  - "Chapter 36 — Administration of Educational Benefits"
  - "Subchapter I — Emergency Situations"
---

# §3601. Definition of emergency situation


In this chapter, the term “[emergency situation](/usc/38/3002.md?p=9)” means a situation that—

- (1) the President declares is an emergency; and
- (2) the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8) determines is an emergency for purposes of the laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/4101.md?p=8).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–333, § 2(a)(2), Jan. 5, 2023, 136 Stat. 6122.)