---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 521"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "521"
heading: "Assistance to certain rehabilitation activities"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/521"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 5 — Authority and Duties of the Secretary"
  - "Subchapter II — Specified Functions"
---

# §521. Assistance to certain rehabilitation activities

- (a) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may assist any organization named in or approved under [section 5902 of this title](/usc/38/5902.md) in providing recreational activities which would further the rehabilitation of disabled [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2). Such assistance may be provided only if—
  - (1) the activities are available to disabled [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) on a national basis; and
  - (2) a significant percentage of the individuals participating in the activities are eligible for rehabilitative services under [chapter 17](/usc/38/chptII/ch17.md) of this title.
- (b) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may accept from any appropriate source contributions of funds and of other assistance to support the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1)’s provision of assistance for such activities.
- (c)
  - (1) Subject to [paragraph (2)](#c-2), the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may authorize the use, for purposes approved by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) in connection with the activity involved, of the seal and other official symbols of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and the name “Department of Veterans Affairs” by—
    - (A) any organization which provides an activity described in [subsection (a)](#a) with assistance from the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1); and
    - (B) any individual or entity from which the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) accepts a significant contribution under [subsection (b)](#b) or an offer of such a contribution.
  - (2) The use of such seal or name of any official symbol of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) in an advertisement may be authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) under this subsection only if—
    - (A) the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) has approved the advertisement; and
    - (B) the advertisement contains a clear statement that no product, project, or commercial line of endeavor referred to in the advertisement is endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 390.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

Prior section 521 was renumbered section 1521 of this title.

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 216 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 102–83, § 2(a).