SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 aims to prevent veterans from being unfairly charged by unauthorized individuals for assistance with their benefits claims. It reinstates criminal penalties for those who solicit, charge, or receive fees for preparing or presenting claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill also strengthens protections for veterans by requiring the Department to maintain a public list of recognized and suspended/excluded agents and attorneys, and to provide clear warnings about potential predatory practices. Finally, it improves the Department’s accreditation system and addresses automated telephone equipment to prevent unwanted calls related to veteran benefits.
Key provisions
- Reinstates criminal penalties for charging unauthorized fees to veterans for benefits claims.
- Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain a public list of recognized and suspended/excluded agents and attorneys.
- Mandates clear warnings on Department websites about potential fees charged by agents and attorneys.
- Updates the Department’s accreditation system to ensure reliability and accessibility.
- Requires the Department to gather information about fees charged for assistance with claims.
- Addresses automated telephone equipment to prevent unwanted calls related to veteran benefits.
- Establishes a rulemaking process to define ‘preparation, presentation, or prosecution’ of claims.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Department of Veterans Affairs
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
16 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours