Fees and Veterans Benefits
Can veterans be charged a fee to apply for benefits?
No. There are specific laws and rules about when a veteran can be charged a fee related to benefits matters. Veterans cannot be charged a fee for information or to apply for veterans benefits and nobody can charge a fee for referring a veteran to a person accredited to provide assistance. See Title 38 USC and Iowa Code chapter 546B. If you need information or assistance applying for veterans benefits, contact your County Veteran Service Office.
The law is very specific about who can assist veterans with claims for benefits. The only people and organizations who can legally assist a claimant in filing a claim for veterans benefits are:
- VA accredited attorney
- VA accredited agent
- Veterans service offices and organizations
- VA Regional Office representative
- Private individual with one-time permission to assist only one claimant
None of these people or organizations can charge a fee for assisting with applying or filing for benefits. Also, no person or organization that benefits from the veterans receiving benefits can be charged a fee or pay a fee for assistance with a benefits claim.
Watch out for people who offer to assist with applying or filing for benefits or to make the process quicker or more successful for a fee. There are many laws and rules protecting veterans in the benefits process. If you have questions or need assistance, it is important that you talk only with someone who is an expert on veterans benefits and is there to serve you. The VA, the IDVA, VSOs, and recognized veteran services organizations exist to serve you and can assist you or help you find the assistance you need.
Can veterans ever be charged a fee when it comes to their benefits?
Yes. A VA-accredited representative can help you ask the VA to review a negative decision on your claim for benefits. VA-accredited attorneys and VA-accredited claims agents can charge a fee for this service. Why would you use an attorney or a claims agent? The attorney or claims agent can help you gather evidence to support your claim and help you argue your case to VA. They can also help you understand the VA appeals process. There are rules that require that attorneys and agents charge a reasonable fee.
Remember: VSO representatives can never charge a fee for their assistance on your VA benefits claim.
The VA website has more information about accredited representatives (attorneys and claims agents) including:
- What a VA-accredited representative is.
- How to find a VA-accredited representative.
- How to appoint a VSO or accredited representative to represent you.
- How to remove or change who represents you.
- What to do if you think an accredited representative has charged a fee that is not reasonable.