Sponsors (27)
The bill makes Chapter 31 benefits easier to access and increases outreach and transparency for veterans, but it raises VA workload and costs and introduces a tight decision deadline that could lead to rushed or erroneous denials.
Veterans will have easier, centralized access to Chapter 31 help because the VA will provide a single dedicated phone line and publish local regional VRE contact information (names, phones, emails) online.
Veterans will get faster decisions on extension requests because the Secretary must approve or deny requests within 30 days, reducing uncertainty and wait times for benefits and services.
Veterans and students at local schools will get better awareness of Chapter 31 benefits and smoother school coordination because VRE counselors will conduct in-person briefings and school certifying officials get regular Q&A sessions with VA staff.
Veterans may face rushed denials or administrative errors on extension requests if the 30-day decision deadline pressures VA staff to decide without full information.
Taxpayers and other VA programs could bear higher costs because required in-person briefings and outreach will increase VA travel and staffing expenses, potentially diverting resources from other services.
VA staff and VRE counselors will face increased workload and travel demands to deliver in-person briefings at every institution in their region, which could strain personnel and slow other work.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires VA outreach/contact postings, a dedicated education phone line, monthly Q&As with schools, in-person VRE briefings, annual reports, and a 30-day deadline to decide extension requests.
Introduced March 3, 2025 by Abraham J. Hamadeh · Last progress March 3, 2025
Requires the VA to improve outreach and transparency for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) by creating a dedicated phone line, posting regional contact info online, holding monthly Q&A sessions with school certifying officials, and requiring VRE counselors to give in-person briefings at schools in their service area (with a virtual exception for institutions over 150 miles away). Adds an annual reporting requirement to Congress on extension requests and imposes a 30-day deadline for the VA to approve or deny extension requests for benefits.