R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-12-5: Assistance on veterans’ claims.

The department of human services shall also prepare and present before the Veterans Administration of the United States all legal claims of veterans for compensation, disability allowance, insurance and pensions of veterans of World War I, and all other veterans to whom benefits have been extended pursuant to the provisions of chapter 22 of title 30 entitled “Extension of Veterans’ Benefits” who had a legal residence in this state at the time of entrance into the service or who have been qualified electors in this state for two (2) years next preceding the application for aid, and their personal representatives or dependents, or both, and shall render to such persons reasonable assistance in the preparation and presentation of any of those claims and shall perform such other duties as may be by law required. The department shall render such assistance without charge to the claimant.