In a bipartisan effort, U.S. Representatives Janelle Bynum of Oregon, Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, Don Bacon of Nebraska, and Mike Lawler of New York have introduced the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act. This legislation aims to shield veterans from exploitative practices by ‘claim sharks’ who charge fees for assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
Protecting Veterans’ Earned Benefits
The bill seeks to ensure that only VA-accredited individuals can assist veterans with their benefit claims, reinstating criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge excessive fees for services that the VA and accredited nonprofits provide for free. Despite existing prohibitions, loopholes have allowed predatory actors to evade prosecution, prompting this legislative response.
Congresswoman Bynum emphasized the importance of safeguarding veterans’ benefits, stating, “Our veterans sacrificed so much to defend us and our freedoms – the least we can do is protect the benefits they earned and deserve.” Her colleagues echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the process.
Addressing Loopholes and Strengthening Protections
The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act outlines several provisions to address these issues, including reestablishing criminal penalties for unaccredited claims representatives and prohibiting the Department of Veterans Affairs from accrediting individuals found guilty of unauthorized solicitation. The bill also aims to close loopholes that allow unaccredited actors to assist veterans with claims illegally.
Additionally, the legislation proposes measures to prohibit robocall technology for obtaining VA claims information, directly targeting claim sharks who spam VA call centers. It requires the VA to establish a system to track accredited agents and provide a mechanism for veterans to report scammers.
The bill has garnered support from several veterans’ organizations, including the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Military Officers Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and The American Legion. An NPR investigation highlighted the ongoing issue of private companies exploiting veterans, underscoring the need for this legislative action.
With companion legislation introduced in the Senate by Senator Richard Blumenthal, the SAFEGUARD Veterans Act represents a concerted effort to protect veterans from predatory practices and ensure they can access their earned benefits without facing additional challenges.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
