In committee
SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026
This bill aims to protect veterans from predatory consultants and companies that charge improper fees to assist with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It establishes federal penalties for unaccredited representatives and adds fraud warnings and fee disclosures directly onto VA websites and benefit claim forms. The legislation also requires the VA to build a dedicated, reliable online system where veterans can verify authorized representatives and report improper charges or misconduct.
People affected—The operative text affects veterans filing claims and third-party claims representatives or coaching entities, but does not state a quantifiable population figure.
Fiscal magnitude—no CBO estimate published
Reach38provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
What this bill touches.
Market protections+45Veterans' care delivery+35Federal vs. state/local+40
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Veterans and VA benefit claimantsGain fee warning notices on VA web portals, verification tools for authorized representatives, an online system to file complaints against predatory representatives, and robocall protections regarding benefits assistance.
Who it burdens
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)Must initiate rulemaking on claims representation definitions, update public portals and claim forms with fee warnings and questions about paid coaching, build a high-uptime accreditation and complaint online system, and submit administrative reports and budget estimates to Congress.
- Accredited VA claims agents and attorneysMust use a new VA online system to certify qualifications and are subject to client complaints and violation reporting under federal standards.
- State and territorial governmentsHave state and territorial laws governing VA claims agent recognition and fee agreements superseded by federal law.
Who opposes it
- Unaccredited veterans' claims coaches and fee-charging representativesFace direct federal preemption, robocall restrictions under the Communications Act, and increased reporting and complaint mechanisms on VA claim forms regarding unauthorized coaching and fees.