{"data":{"id":"us/38-u.s.c.-5321","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"38 U.S.C. § 5321","heading":"Benefits helpline","body":"(a) Establishment.—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) Contract for Direction of Calls Authorized.—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) Live Individual Required.—The Secretary shall ensure that a covered individual who calls the helpline has the option to speak with a live individual. (d) Definitions.—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.","path":["Title 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS","CHAPTER 53—SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO BENEFITS"],"source_url":"https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/103/xml_usc38@119-103.zip","current_through":"Public Law 119-103 (09/02/2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-10T05:59:35Z","sha256":"a563bdba1f4139526b25e818187a35ddd4fed5bad2e3dd92513468b8dd0be85a","source_id":"us","stale":true,"prev":"us/38-u.s.c.-5320","next":"us/38-u.s.c.-5501"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}