Ernst takes aim against VA ‘pension poachers’

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is cosponsoring legislation that would penalize anyone who illegally advises U.S. military veterans on their benefits without having proper accreditation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Veterans in Iowa and across the country are owed the benefits they’ve earned in service to our country, and anyone attempting to take advantage of these heroes for financial gain should not only be ashamed of themselves but face serious consequences,” Sen. Ernst said. “This bill will protect our veterans from these ‘pension poachers,’ assist those veterans who have fallen prey, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely at the VA.”

Sen. Ernst on Nov. 19 cosponsored the Financial Refuge for Every Elderly (FREE) Veteran Act, S. 2407, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) to provide criminal penalties including fines or imprisonment for individuals acting as agents or attorneys for the preparation, presentation or prosecution of a claim under a law administered by the VA without being recognized by the department for such purposes, according to the text of the bill.

If enacted, S. 2407 also would provide educational resources to veterans and would mandate a review of cases handled by agents and attorneys to determine if they are charging the appropriate fees, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Ernst’s office.

Additionally, S. 2407 would require accredited agents and attorneys to advise veterans on their right to appeal fees and fee agreements if they suspect they are unreasonable, the summary says.

Sen. Ernst also said that “Congress isn’t off the hook either,” noting that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for years “have failed to act on the problem, or even made it worse. There’s simply no excuse for that and I hope my colleagues will take action now.”

The lawmaker also awarded her monthly Squeal Award to both the VA and Congress for their inaction to protect veterans from pension poaching, according to her office.