A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is introducing a bill to stop companies from charging veterans for help with disability benefits.
“For many of our nation’s disabled veterans, VA disability compensation can be the difference between making ends meet and more severe outcomes such as homelessness,” said Joe Parsetich, national commander for Disabled American Veterans. “That’s why it’s so vitally important that veterans are properly represented by accredited individuals and institutions when applying for VA benefits.”
Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) are leading the push for the bill. They are the senior members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
“Stronger safeguards are needed to protect those who served our country from wrongdoers hoping to cash in on the onerous claims process,” “Blumenthal said in a news release. “Holding profiteers accountable through criminal penalties is an important step that will support our heroes.”
Criminal penalties for charging veterans for help with disability claims or prosecution were eliminated from the law 20 years ago, according to Boozman.
Ensuring veterans have the resources to make informed decisions about filing VA claims is an important part of helping them access the benefits they’ve earned,” Boozman said. “They also deserve to have trusted and reliable advocates working on their behalf, which is why we must hold accountable those aiming to make a profit off their service.”
Senators that signed on to the bill include Democrats John Tester (D-Mont.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). Republicans backing the legislation are Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.). Independents Angus King (I-Maine) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) are also listed as co-sponsors.
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