A bipartisan bill recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) would require the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain a toll-free telephone helpline for military veterans to obtain information about the benefits and services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“We owe so much to our veterans for their sacrifice to protect our country and defend our freedoms,” Sen. Fischer said on Friday. “Unfortunately, too many veterans have difficulty navigating the VA and identifying which divisions to contact.”
Sen. Fischer on March 22 cosponsored the Veterans Assistance Helpline Act of 2024, S. 4061, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) to require the VA Secretary to maintain a permanent helpline for veterans to quickly obtain information and assistance with all VA services.
The VA in 2020 launched the main information line, 1-800-MyVA411, to provide a live agent to answer questions and direct veterans and other eligible individuals to the proper contact center within the VA, according to a bill summary provided by the senators.
If enacted, S. 4061 would codify the existing 1-800 number to ensure that it remains in place for future use, the summary says.
“The VA’s current main information line provides veterans with a single hub to access information about different VA contact centers,” said Sen. Fischer. “Our legislation will codify this resource to ensure veterans can maintain access to this critical tool and better connect with the resources available to them.”
The U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee is considering the bill.
“I’m proud to be working across the aisle to make sure the VA’s veteran helpline is permanently codified so they never lose access to a resource that will get them the information and assistance they need,” said Sen. Rosen.