You never need to pay anyone to file a VA disability claim. VA-accredited VSO representatives help for free. Accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge fees only after VA issues an initial decision. Anyone who is not accredited is barred from charging for help with your claim, and California’s SB 694, signed on Feb 10, 2026, backs that up with state law.
What help with a VA claim is free?
Filing is free. You can file on VA.gov, by mail or in person, and VA does not charge for any of those routes. Accredited VSO representatives also help at no cost, and VA says their help on your claim is always free. Representatives come from groups such as DAV, VFW and the American Legion, and from county and state veterans service offices.
These representatives can help you gather evidence, complete forms, submit your claim and request a review if you disagree with a decision. Our guide to free, federally recognized VSOs explains how to find one.
What can you legally pay for?
| What | When you can be charged |
|---|---|
| Help from a VSO representative | Never. It is always free. |
| Help from an accredited attorney or claims agent | Only after VA issues an initial decision, under a written fee agreement |
| Help from someone who is not accredited | Not allowed for preparing, presenting or prosecuting a claim |
| Medical care, records fees and medical opinions | Set by the provider. This is evidence, not claim help. |
The fee rules for attorneys and agents sit in 38 CFR 14.636. A fee agreement must be in writing and signed by both of you. Fees up to 20% of past-due benefits are presumed reasonable, and fees above 33 1/3% are presumed unreasonable.
What do federal law and SB 694 say?
Federal law (38 U.S.C. § 5904) allows only accredited attorneys, claims agents and VSO representatives to help prepare, present and prosecute a VA claim, and it restricts what they may charge.
California’s SB 694 goes further. It requires federal accreditation before anyone may prepare, present or prosecute a veteran’s benefits claim, bars fees that federal law does not allow, and extends the state’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act to veterans’ benefits claims. It also prohibits sharing login credentials for government systems. The civil-penalty framework for unaccredited people begins Jan 1, 2027. Laws vary by state, so ask your state’s veterans affairs office what applies where you live.
What does paid claim help look like in practice?
The pitch changes, but the offers are familiar: claim “coaching,” a monthly subscription, a fee based on your back pay, or a promise to raise your rating. If the service involves preparing or presenting your claim, only an accredited person may be paid for it, and only after the initial decision. The red flags are covered in our guide to avoiding VA benefit scams.
Medical evidence is different. A medical opinion from a licensed provider is evidence, not claim help, and providers can charge for their time. VA does not require a paid opinion, and your own doctor can write one. Our guide to what a nexus letter costs covers what to expect.
How do you find free accredited help?
- Search. Use VA’s accredited representative search to find VSO representatives, attorneys and claims agents near you.
- Ask a national or local VSO. DAV, VFW and the American Legion have local offices, and many counties and states run veterans service offices.
- Confirm availability. Contact the representative and ask which organization to name on your form.
- Appoint them. Use VA Form 21-22 for a VSO or VA Form 21-22a for an attorney or claims agent. You and the representative both sign.
You can also file on your own. Our guide to filing a VA disability claim walks through the steps.
Frequently asked questions
Are VA-accredited attorneys allowed to charge fees?
Yes, but only after VA issues an initial decision on your claim and under a written, signed fee agreement. Fees up to 20% of past-due benefits are presumed reasonable, and fees above 33 1/3% are presumed unreasonable. VSO representatives never charge.
What if I already signed a contract with a claims company?
Keep the contract and your payment records, stop sharing any login details and check whether the company or person is accredited using VA’s search. Then ask an accredited VSO representative, an accredited attorney or your state attorney general’s consumer protection office about your options. SB 694 applies in California, and other states differ.
Does Woobie charge for VA claim help?
Woobie does not offer claim help. It does not prepare, present or file claims and is not a law firm or an accredited claims agent. Its platform, calculator and consultation are free. Independent Medical Opinions from licensed medical professionals carry a flat fee that does not depend on your claim outcome or back pay.
Is a paid medical opinion worth it?
It can help when your records do not link a condition to service, but VA does not require a paid one. Your own treating doctor can write one. If you choose a paid provider, ask for the provider’s license, get the fee in writing and avoid any fee tied to your outcome.
Questions about your medical evidence? Woobie offers a free consultation to talk through your situation. Woobie is not a law firm or an accredited claims agent and does not file claims. Schedule a free consultation →