---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 6320"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "6320"
heading: "Solid Start program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/6320"
units:
  - "Part IV — General Administrative Provisions"
  - "Chapter 63 — Outreach Activities"
  - "Subchapter II — Other Outreach Programs and Activities"
---

# §6320. Solid Start program

- (a) **In General.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall carry out a program, to be known as the “Solid Start program”, under which the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) build the capacity of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to efficiently and effectively respond to the queries and needs of [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who have recently separated from the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10); and
  - (2) systemically integrate and coordinate efforts to assist [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2), including efforts—
    - (A) to proactively reach out to newly separated [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) to inform them of their eligibility for programs of and benefits provided by the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), including how to enroll in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under [section 1705 of this title](/usc/38/1705.md) and the ability to seek care and services under sections [1703](/usc/38/1703.md) and [1710](/usc/38/1710.md) of this title; and
    - (B) to connect [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) in crisis to resources that address their immediate needs.
- (b) **Activities of the Solid Start Program.—**
  - (1) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Defense, shall carry out the Solid Start program of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) by—
    - (A) collecting up-to-date contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for all members of the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10) who are separating from the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10), while explaining the existence and purpose of the Solid Start program;
    - (B) calling each [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2), regardless of separation type or characterization of service, three times within the first year after separation of the [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) from the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10);
    - (C) providing information about the Solid Start program on the website of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and in materials of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), especially transition booklets and other resources;
    - (D) ensuring calls are truly tailored to the needs of each [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’s unique situation by conducting quality assurance tests;
    - (E) prioritizing [outreach](/usc/38/6301.md?p=b-1) to [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10);
    - (F) providing women [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) with information that is tailored to their specific health care and benefit needs;
    - (G) as feasible, providing information on access to [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) and local resources, including Vet Centers and [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) service organizations; and
    - (H) gathering and analyzing data assessing the effectiveness of the Solid Start program.
  - (2) The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), in coordination with the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) of Defense, may carry out the Solid Start program by—
    - (A) encouraging members of the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10) who are transitioning to civilian life to authorize alternate points of contact who can be reached should the member be unavailable during the first year following the separation of the member from the [Armed Forces](/usc/38/101.md?p=10); and
    - (B) following up missed phone calls with tailored mailings to ensure the [veteran](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) still receives similar information.
  - (3) In this subsection:
    - (A) The term “Vet Center” has the meaning given that term in [section 1712A(h) of this title](/usc/38/1712A.md?p=h).
    - (B) The term “[veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) service organization” means an organization recognized by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) for the representation of [veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2) under [section 5902 of this title](/usc/38/5902.md).

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 117–205, § 2(a), Oct. 17, 2022, 136 Stat. 2232; amended Pub. L. 118–210, title I, § 102(b), Jan. 2, 2025, 138 Stat. 2710.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–210 inserted “, including how to enroll in the system of annual patient enrollment established and operated under section 1705 of this title and the ability to seek care and services under sections 1703 and 1710 of this title” before “; and”.