INFORMS Act
Bill: H.R.7227 | Sponsor: Rep. Takano, Mark (D-CA)
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
Information on Federal Resources for Military Servicemembers Act or the INFORMS Act
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create fact sheets for veterans and survivors of deceased veterans to compare VA benefits and compensation, certain monthly insurance benefits under the Social Security Act, and supplemental security income for the aged, blind, and disabled under the Social Security Act. The fact sheets must be updated at least annually.
The VA must provide copies of such fact sheets whenever (1) an individual makes an initial claim for a benefit or compensation or a claim to increase a benefit or compensation; or (2) the VA notifies the individual it has denied a claim for, or decreased the amount of, a benefit or compensation.

To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create fact sheets, for 
   veterans and for survivors of veterans, that compare benefits and 
   compensation, to such individuals under laws administered by the 
 Secretary, to monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social 
 Security Act, and to supplemental security income under title XVI of 
                        the Social Security Act.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Information on Federal Resources for 
Military Servicemembers Act'' or the ``INFORMS Act''.

SEC. 2. FACT SHEETS REGARDING VA AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND 
              COMPENSATION.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than six months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after 
consultation with the Commissioner of the Social Security 
Administration and stakeholders (including veterans service 
organizations), shall create fact sheets, one for veterans and one for 
survivors of deceased veterans, that compares, for such individuals--
            (1) benefits and compensation (including a pension) under 
        laws administered by the Secretary;
            (2) monthly insurance benefits under title II of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.); and
            (3) supplemental security income under title XVI of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).
    (b) Elements.--A fact sheet created under subsection (a) shall 
include, with respect to such benefits and compensation, monthly 
insurance benefits, and supplemental security income, the following:
            (1) Differences in eligibility requirements.
            (2) Filing requirements.
            (3) How to apply.
            (4) Sources of additional information or assistance in 
        applications.
    (c) Provision.--Not later than three months after creating a fact 
sheet under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide a copy thereof 
to an individual whenever the Secretary--
            (1) receives from such individual--
                    (A) an initial claim for a benefit or compensation; 
                or
                    (B) a claim for an increase to a benefit or 
                compensation; or
            (2) notifies such individual that the Secretary has denied 
        a claim for, or decreased the amount of, a benefit or 
        compensation.
    (d) Annual Updates.--The Secretary shall update a fact sheet 
created under subsection (a), to reflect amendments to laws described 
in such subsection, not less than once annually.
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