INFORMS Act

Bill: 117-hr-7227
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-41]
Introduced: 2022-03-24
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Latest action: action_date: 2022-03-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-03-24
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Information on Federal Resources for Military Servicemembers Act or the INFORMS Act</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7227 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 24, 2022 Mr. Takano introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs A BILL 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Information on Federal Resources for Military Servicemembers Act or the INFORMS Act . 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.