This bill creates the Veteran Family Resource Program to address social determinants of health affecting veteran families. Family coordinators would be placed in each VA health care region to connect veterans, families, and caregivers with VA and community resources. The VA must survey disabled veterans and families every five years.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill creates the Veteran Family Resource Program to address social determinants of health affecting veteran families. Family coordinators would be placed in each VA health care region to connect veterans, families, and caregivers with VA and community resources. The VA must survey disabled veterans and families every five years.
Last updated: 1/5/2026
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Helping Heroes Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the Veteran Family Resource Program to address social determinants of health challenges experienced in veterans’ family units and ensure veterans and their families have access to services and resources to support wellness within the family units.</p><p>In implementing the program, the VA must (1) appoint at least one family coordinator in each Veterans Integrated Service Network (regional VA health care administrative areas), and (2) ensure adequate staffing and resources to ensure family coordinators are able to carry out their duties and functions. Under the bill, a family coordinator’s function is generally to serve at a VA medical center as a point person regarding VA and community resources for veterans, their families, and caregivers and survivors of veterans.</p><p>The VA may expand the program to additional medical centers as appropriate.</p><p>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this bill, and not less frequently than once every five years after, the VA must survey disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand their needs.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Creates Veteran Family Resource Program
Places family coordinators in each VA region
Connects families to VA and community resources
Addresses social determinants of health
Requires surveys of disabled veteran families
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Veteran families would have dedicated staff helping them access resources for housing, food, employment, and other needs. Coordinators would help navigate both VA services and community support. The program recognizes that veteran wellness depends on family well-being.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Related Subjects
Congressional oversight
Employee hiring
Family relationships
Family services
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health programs administration and funding
Mental health
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Veterans' medical care
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
701, 119th Congress (2025). "Helping Heroes Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-701