H.R. 1578: Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025
The Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 aims to enhance support for veterans filing claims for benefits. The key components of this bill include:
Promotion of Assistance for Claimants
The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to notify individuals making initial claims who are not represented by an accredited person about the availability of assistance from recognized entities. This includes:
- Informing claimants that an accredited person may be able to help them.
- Indicating that veterans service organizations can represent them without charge.
- Providing online resources where claimants can find information on accredited representatives.
- Allowing claimants to report if someone who is not accredited represented them and any fees charged by that person.
Online Resources for Accredited Persons
The Secretary must also maintain an online tool that allows veterans and claimants to search for a list of accredited representatives. This list should be updated at least once every three months and be easily accessible for users seeking assistance.
Warning About Fees for Representation
In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will include warnings about potential fees that agents or attorneys may charge for assistance in their online claims submission portals. This warning will give claimants links to:
- The online tool listing accredited representatives.
- The appropriate website for reporting unaccredited assistance.
Review of Regulations
Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is instructed to:
- Review existing regulations and processes related to the recognition of accredited representatives.
- Develop recommendations for improving these regulations and processes.
- Submit a report detailing the findings and suggested improvements to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
Definitions
The bill clarifies certain terms, such as:
- Accredited Person: This includes veterans service organizations recognized by the VA or an attorney or agent recognized under specific sections of the U.S. Code.
- Representation: It refers to the act of preparing, presenting, or prosecuting a claim on behalf of the claimant.
Relevant Companies
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This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
6 bill sponsors
Actions
6 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| May. 06, 2025 | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote. |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held |
| Mar. 21, 2025 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. |
| Feb. 25, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Feb. 25, 2025 | Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. |
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