Our veterans deserve to know all the benefits and programs they qualify for. That’s why the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee voted this week to help veterans access information on ways to apply for benefits they have earned through their military service.
House File 414 won unanimous approval in the Iowa House on March 17. The bill requires that private individuals or businesses offering to help veterans get their benefits for a fee must give all prospective clients a written statement disclosing that veterans may apply for these same services at no charge through a local service organization or county offices. Before entering into an agreement or contract, the veteran must sign the disclosure statement.
The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs will develop a consumer friendly written disclosure for use by private providers of benefits services for veterans. It will include a statement that veterans benefits services are offered at no cost by federally chartered veteran service organizations and by county commission of veteran affairs offices, and will have contact information on how to access those free services.
A person who violates these requirements faces a maximum civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation. Any civil penalties recovered will be deposited in the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund.
For more information on this or other programs for veterans, contact the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs at 515-252-4698 or go to www.va.iowa.gov.