Veterans Assistance Helpline Act

To require the Federal Communications Commission, in coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to designate a simple, easy-to-remember dialing code for veterans and other eligible individuals to use to obtain information about the benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Assistance Helpline Act 2. Telephone helpline for assistance for veterans and other eligible individuals (a) Definitions In this section— (1) the term Commission (2) the term covered dialing code (3) the term covered individual (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; (4) the term Secretary (5) the term veteran (b) Establishment of helpline (1) In general The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, and after conducting the study required under subsection (c), shall designate a covered dialing code for the purposes of a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may use to obtain information about, or through which a covered individual may be directed to, any service or benefit provided under a law administered by the Secretary, including any service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the area in which the covered individual is located. (2) Contract for direction of calls The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, may enter into a contract with an outside entity to direct calls made to the telephone helpline established under paragraph (1) to the appropriate person regarding a service or benefit described in that paragraph. (3) Live individual The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall ensure that a covered individual using the telephone helpline established under paragraph (1) speaks with a live individual rather than a recording. (c) Study required (1) In general The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall conduct a study to determine which covered dialing code is most appropriate for the designation required under subsection (b)(1). (2) Requirements In conducting the study required under paragraph (1), the Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall— (A) consider all covered dialing codes, including the codes that are used for other purposes; (B) give preference to any code with which covered individuals are likely to be familiar; and (C) consult with the North American Numbering Council. (3) Deadline for completion The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall complete the study required under paragraph (1) not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. (4) No additional funds authorized No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection and this subsection shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.

Summary: Veterans Assistance Helpline Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to designate a three-digit dialing code that a covered individual may use to obtain information about, or be directed to, veteran services or benefits. A covered individual is (1) a veteran, (2) an individual acting on behalf of a veteran, or (3) an individual other than a veteran who is eligible to receive a veteran benefit or service.