Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act

House Bill

H.R. 1039

119th Congress

Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 6, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Gus M. Bilirakis

Representative

Republican

FL-12

Cosponsors

9

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill requires the VA to assess and improve the clarity of notices sent to veterans applying for benefits. A research center would evaluate communications and the VA must implement recommendations to make them more understandable.

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires the VA to assess and improve the clarity of notices sent to veterans applying for benefits. A research center would evaluate communications and the VA must implement recommendations to make them more understandable.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Clear Communication for Veterans Claims ActThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to seek to enter into an agreement with a federally funded research and development center to assess notices that the VA sends to claimants applying for or submitting claims for VA benefits. The VA must report on the findings of the assessment and implement recommendations in the assessment.The bill also extends certain loan fee rates through June 23, 2034, under the VA's home loan program.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires assessment of VA benefit claim notices
Contracts with research center for evaluation
VA must implement clarity recommendations
Aims to make notices more understandable
Extends certain VA home loan fee rates

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Veterans would receive clearer, more understandable letters about their benefits claims. Complex bureaucratic language in VA communications often confuses veterans trying to navigate the claims process.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Congressional oversight

Government information and archives

Government lending and loan guarantees

Housing finance and home ownership

Research and development

User charges and fees

Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Veterans' pensions and compensation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1039, 119th Congress (2025). "Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1039