Allred Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Reinstate 48-hour Rule and Help Veterans Get Accurate Benefits

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, introduced the bipartisan Veterans Claim Transparency Act. The bill reinstates and codifies "the 48-hour rule" which allows a veteran's representative to review VA's preliminary determination of a veteran's benefits 48 hours before finalizing the benefit determination. The VA moved to end the rule in 2020. The bill is co-sponsored by Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL-13).

"We must do everything we can so our veterans can quickly get the correct benefits that they have earned," said Congressman Allred."Too often veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country face obstacles in getting their benefits and endure a lengthy appeals process to correct a mistake. I am glad to introduce this bipartisan bill, which will promote transparency and accountability by putting back into place an important review period so a Veteran Service Organization can help veterans get the benefits they are owed."

"Our Nation's veterans are our heroes, and the last thing they should be dealing with is a cumbersome and unfair VA benefit claim process," said Congressman Davis. "The Veterans Claim Transparency Act will reinstate a 48-hour review for claims, so VSOs like the VFW can assist veterans in reviewing, correcting, or disputing a determination from the VA. At the end of the day, this legislation is about making sure our veterans are able to access the benefits they've earned through their service. Streamlining the VA and making it more efficient is one small step we can take to fulfill our obligation to those who served our country and put their lives on the line."

The bill will help a veteran's representative, like a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), correct errors in veterans' benefits applications and help ensure veterans get their correct benefits the first time and do not have to file a cumbersome appeal at a later date. Allred introduced similar bipartisan legislation in the 116th Congress.

The bill is supported by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA).

"PVA thanks Representative Allred and Representative Davis for ensuring veterans' claims decisions are accurate by introducing the Veterans Claim Transparency Act," said Heather Ansley, Associate Executive Director of Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America.

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