Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73
§5321 Benefits helpline
Title 38 › Part PART IV— - GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS › Chapter CHAPTER 53— - SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO BENEFITS › § 5321
Summary
The Secretary must keep a toll-free phone helpline people can call to get information about any benefit or service the Secretary runs or to be routed to the right office. Calls can be handled by a contractor, and callers must be able to speak with a live person. Covered individuals are veterans; people calling for a veteran; or non‑veterans who are eligible for a benefit or service the Secretary manages. "Veteran" is defined in section 2002(b).
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §5321
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may call in order to—
(1)obtain information about any service or benefit provided under the laws administered by the Secretary; or
(2)be directed to an appropriate office of the Department regarding such a service or benefit.
(b)The Secretary may enter into a contract with a third party to direct calls made to the helpline to an appropriate office under subsection (a)(2).
(c)The Secretary shall ensure that a covered individual who calls the helpline has the option to speak with a live individual.
(d)In this section:
(1)The term “covered individual” means—
(A)a veteran;
(B)an individual acting on behalf of a veteran; or
(C)an individual other than a veteran who is eligible to receive a benefit or service under a law administered by the Secretary.
(2)The term “veteran” has the meaning given such term in section 2002(b) of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 5321
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73