US EditionNewsom Takes Aim At Veterans 'Claim Sharks' As He Signs Law Banning Fees For Help With VA
California bans unaccredited firms from charging veterans for VA claims help to protect finances; fees previously reached $10,000 or more, advocates said.
- Today, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law banning unaccredited private claims consulting companies from charging veterans for Department of Veterans Affairs help, requiring compliance by the end of the year to protect veterans' income.
- Amid a slow VA claims process, Congress removed criminal penalties 20 years ago, enabling private firms offering paid assistance to veterans to proliferate.
- State records show two firms spent $150,000 and $371,821 lobbying, while consulting fees can reach $10,000 and lawmakers heard 99 speakers in 4 hours and 39 minutes of hearings.
- Claims consulting companies responded by saying laws like California's are existential threats; Veterans Benefit Guide sued over fee bans, while advocates say the law helps veterans keep more benefits.
- On the state level, California joins 11 states that have moved to ban fee-charging firms, while a separate group of mostly Republican-led states has legalized them, reflecting a national split.
23 Articles
23 Articles
California Bill Tightens Rules Against ‘Claim Sharks’ Who Exploit Veterans
California will now require people who charge fees for helping veterans with federal benefits claims to hold federal accreditation, under a bill that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Feb. 10. The new law, Senate Bill 694, which had bipartisan support, also adds state consumer protections aimed at limiting fees and restricting practices that state officials say have been used to exploit veterans navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benef…
New California law bans fees for VA disability claims assistance
The legislation protects veterans from companies charging for claims assistance services already available at no cost. This content Newsom takes aim at veterans ‘claim sharks’ as he signs law banning fees for help with VA appeared first on inewsource.
SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed legislation aimed at combating veterans' benefits consultants labeled "predators," sparking a sharp divide among state leaders, who call the measure…
Hanford Sentinel
Newsom takes aim at veterans ‘claim sharks’ as he signs law banning fees for help with VA
A booming industry that charges veterans for help in obtaining the benefits they earned through military service must shut down or dramatically change its business model in California by the end of the year under a new law Gov. Gavin…
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