---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 5321"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "5321"
heading: "Benefits helpline"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/5321"
units:
  - "Part IV — General Administrative Provisions"
  - "Chapter 53 — Special Provisions Relating to Benefits"
---

# §5321. Benefits helpline

- (a) **Establishment.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall maintain a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may call in order to—
  - (1) obtain information about any service or benefit provided under the laws administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1); or
  - (2) be directed to an appropriate office of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) regarding such a service or benefit.
- (b) **Contract for Direction of Calls Authorized.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may enter into a contract with a third party to direct calls made to the helpline to an appropriate office under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2).
- (c) **Live Individual Required.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall ensure that a covered individual who calls the helpline has the option to speak with a live individual.
- (d) **Definitions.—** In this section:
  - (1) The term “covered individual” means—
    - (A) a [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2);
    - (B) an individual acting on behalf of a [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2); or
    - (C) an individual other than a [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who is eligible to receive a benefit or service under a law administered by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1).
  - (2) The term “[veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)” has the meaning given such term in [section 2002(b) of this title](/usc/38/2002.md?p=b).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 118–159, div. E, title L, § 5002(a), Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2408.)