Problem Solvers Back Legislation to Protect Veterans’ Benefits From Predatory Claim Sharks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of the Guard VA Benefits Act, legislation that will reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited entities who charge unauthorized fees for helping a veteran file a disability claim.
Current law prohibits unaccredited individuals and businesses from charging a fee for assisting a veteran in the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claim. However, the VA and other federal agencies are limited in their ability to enforce the law because criminal penalties were eliminated from the statute nearly 20 years ago.
The Guard VA Benefits Act would reinstate criminal penalties for these predatory and illegal practices, which would include a fine of up to $500, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both. These penalties will deter unaccredited claims consultants from advertising their services and will ensure that the VA can prosecute these bad actors to the full extent of the law. Most importantly, the legislation will guarantee that veterans can access their hard-earned disability benefits without fear or risk of exploitation.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation was introduced by Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02), and Amata Radewagen (AS-AL) and has 211 additional cosponsors, 45 of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. The bill was brought forward for Caucus endorsement by Representatives Pappas and Fitzpatrick.
“Veterans seeking to access their benefits should not face another battle to do so. Unfortunately, unaccredited, for-profit companies are scamming veterans of their earned benefits under the guise of helping them, and they must be stopped and held accountable,” said Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01). “As we continue to implement the PACT Act and expand veterans' benefits, it’s vital we ensure veterans can access these benefits and receive help from representatives that are accredited, engage in transparent and ethical practices, and adhere to VA regulations. My bipartisan GUARD VA Benefits Act would protect veterans and their benefits from predatory claim sharks, and as it continues to gain bipartisan support, I’ll keep fighting to get this important legislation passed.”
“Veterans should not be facing hurdles in accessing the benefits they have rightfully earned. As our nation’s heroes are being targeted by predatory, unaccredited claims representatives who charge exorbitant fees and rob them of their benefits, Congress must act,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “I am honored to have the endorsement of the Problem Solvers Caucus on the bipartisan and bicameral GUARD VA Benefits Act that I co-led. I urge my colleagues in Congress to ensure the reinstatement of criminal penalties for the predatory practices used against the brave men and women who served our country."
“For decades, unaccredited companies have interfered in the VA benefits claim process, costing our veterans thousands upon thousands of dollars. We must ensure companies that claim to help veterans charge them reasonable fees and are held accountable when they take advantage of America’s heroes,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05). “Standing up for our veterans is not a red or blue issue — it’s red, white, and blue. I’m glad that members of the Problem Solvers Caucus came together to endorse the GUARD VA Benefits Act, a critical bill which upholds our promise to veterans.”
“Anyone taking advantage of veterans in need should be held accountable by our legal system. I’m proud to cosponsor the bipartisan GUARD VA Benefits Act and am glad my colleagues on the Problem Solvers Caucus have endorsed this much-needed bill. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get it across the finish line so veterans are protected from predatory claims companies,” said Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05).
“Veterans should not have to worry about being scammed when filing a disability claim with the VA,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40). “Unaccredited claims representatives exploiting veterans who protected our freedoms must be held accountable. The least we can do is reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claims representatives found guilty of charging veterans unauthorized fees. That’s why I’m fighting for the bipartisan GUARD VA Benefits Act, which would do exactly that. I’ll always have the backs of our brave veterans who had ours.”
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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The Problem Solvers Caucus, which is Co-Chaired by Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), has sixty-two Members evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.