State Legislation: SAVE ACT
We proudly support the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act—a vital piece of legislation that installs commonsense, state-level protections for veterans seeking expert help with their VA disability claims.
- Supported by veteran organizations and nonprofits that implements consumer protections for veterans seeking private help with VA disability claims while federal reform is pending.
- It prohibits unethical practices such as upfront fees, misleading guarantees, direct solicitation, and use of overseas call centers, and requires disclosure of free service options to veterans. Claims that these companies are acting illegally are false—they help prepare claims but don’t act as legal agents or attorneys.
- Veteran choice is preserved: Veterans can still choose paid expert help (often veteran-owned companies) rather than being forced into overburdened free systems or lengthy legal appeals.
- The SAVE Act is now law in six states (AL, FL, LA, OK, SD, TN) and is advancing in at least eight others (AZ, GA, IL, IN, KY, MO, ND, VA).
Federal Legislation: HR 3132 (CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025)
- Passed House Veterans Affairs Committee and seeks broader federal accreditation reform.
- Ensures fees are reasonable, success-based, and time-limited, with civil and criminal penalties for violations.
GUARD ACT
- Opposing bills like the GUARD Act seek to criminalize private help on initial claims, limit veteran options, and benefit attorneys who collect large portions of backpay on appeals—these have largely failed at both state and federal levels.
- GUARD Act-style bills have been DEFEATED, TABLED, OR PURPOSEFULLY HELD IN COMMITTEE in:
o Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Missouri, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia
Our government affairs team actively monitors and engages with legislation affecting veterans’ benefits. We collaborate with bipartisan lawmakers and policymakers to advocate for reforms that prioritize veterans’ interests.
Veterans Guardian strongly supports the CHOICE for Veterans Act (H.R. 3132), which protects and restores the right of veterans to select their own claims assistance providers. This bill is a major step forward in preserving veterans’ autonomy and fighting against restrictive policies like the GUARD Act.
Key Points:
- The CHOICE Act upholds constitutional rights by empowering veterans to choose their representation.
- It aligns with recent state reforms, including the SAVE Acts in Florida and Tennessee, that reflect a growing national movement to respect veterans’ voices.
- The legislation is backed by influential leaders such as Rep. Jack Bergman, Rep. Derrick Van Orden, Rep. Keith Self, and House Veterans Affairs Chair Mike Bost, who recognize the importance of eliminating unnecessary barriers in the claims process.
We continue to work with bipartisan lawmakers to advocate for legislation like H.R. 3132 that puts veterans first.