PLUS for Veterans Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill allows veterans to hire and pay agents or attorneys to help file their very first VA benefits claim. Currently, paid representation is generally restricted to appeals, so many veterans handle initial claims on their own or rely on free assistance from veterans service organizations.
• To protect veterans from being overcharged, the bill caps fees at the lesser of $12,500 or five times the veteran's new monthly benefit increase. Fees are contingent on a favorable outcome, meaning veterans only pay if they win.
• Professionals must provide a standard form telling veterans that free help is available through recognized veterans organizations. The bill also prohibits agents and attorneys from referring veterans to doctors with whom they have a business relationship, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest.
• The bill creates tough penalties for unauthorized fee-charging, including fines up to $50,000, imprisonment for up to one year, and being barred from representing veterans for one to ten years depending on whether it is a first or subsequent violation.
• If the VA cannot verify a professional's qualifications within 90 days, the applicant gets conditional, temporary recognition for one year (renewable) so they can start helping veterans right away. This speeds up access to representation while background checks are completed.
• The bill preempts any state laws that conflict with the new federal framework, creating a single nationwide standard for fee agreements and veteran representation on initial claims.