38 USC § 5321 - Benefits helpline

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s5321"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 5321 - Benefits helpline"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "5321"
section_name: "Benefits helpline"
chapter_number: 53
chapter_name: "SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO BENEFITS"
part_number: "IV"
part_name: "GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title L, § 5002(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2408.)"
---


# § 5321. Benefits helpline

**(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.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title L, § 5002(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2408.)