Quick Answer: Under federal law and California SB 694 (signed February 10, 2026), only VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers, attorneys, and claims agents may assist with VA claims — and accredited VSOs provide this help completely free of charge. Unaccredited companies that charge fees for claims work are operating illegally and may take thousands of dollars that belong to you.
Who Is Legally Allowed to Help With VA Claims?
Federal law (38 U.S.C. § 5904) recognizes three types of accredited VA claims representatives:
- VA-Accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Representatives: Staff and volunteers accredited by the VA through recognized VSOs (DAV, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, and many others). Services are free to veterans.
- VA-Accredited Attorneys: Attorneys who have passed VA accreditation and are permitted to represent veterans, typically at the appeal stage. Fees are federally regulated and capped.
- VA-Accredited Claims Agents: Non-attorney professionals accredited by the VA. Fees are federally regulated and capped.
Anyone outside these three categories who charges a fee for VA claims assistance is operating illegally under federal law and California SB 694.
What California SB 694 Prohibits
Signed into law by Governor Newsom on February 10, 2026, California SB 694 explicitly prohibits any person from directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any fee or compensation for the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any VA benefits claim — except as permitted under 38 U.S.C. §§ 1984 and 5904. Contracts entered in violation of SB 694 are void. Violations are a misdemeanor.
The law also protects veterans’ credentials — prohibiting anyone from requiring a veteran to log in to or share credentials for DoD, VA, or DHS computer systems in connection with a transaction.
How Claims Sharks Operate
Predatory VA claims companies — sometimes called “claims sharks” — typically market themselves as:
- VA claim coaching or consulting services
- Veteran benefit advocates charging a monthly subscription
- Companies that charge a percentage of your first-year back pay
- Services that promise to “maximize” your rating for a fee
None of these business models are legal when applied to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of VA claims. The services they offer — reviewing your records, helping you identify conditions to claim, preparing statements — are exactly what accredited VSOs do for free.
How to Find Free Accredited Help
- VA Accreditation Search: va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/ — search by state to find VSOs, attorneys, and agents near you
- County VSO offices: Available in nearly every county in the US
- National VSO organizations: DAV, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, PVA, and others all have local chapters providing free accredited assistance
- Vet Centers: VA-operated community centers providing free readjustment counseling and claims referrals
Frequently Asked Questions
Are VA-accredited attorneys allowed to charge fees?
Yes, but only at the appeal stage (after a Notice of Disagreement is filed) and only the lower of 20% of past-due benefits or a reasonable fee. At the initial claim stage, accredited attorneys typically do not charge. Accredited VSOs never charge at any stage.
What if I already signed a contract with a claims company?
Under California SB 694, contracts for VA claims assistance that violate the law’s provisions are void. If you have signed such a contract, consult your state’s attorney general consumer protection division or a VA-accredited attorney about your options for recourse.
Does Woobie charge for VA claims help?
Woobie is an educational platform providing information, guidance, and resources to help veterans understand their VA benefits. Woobie does not prepare, present, or prosecute VA claims and does not charge for educational content. For direct claims assistance, we direct veterans to accredited VSOs, who provide that help at no cost.