Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Veterans Assistance Helpline Act of 2024.
(1) In general
The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may use to obtain information about, or through which a covered individual may be directed to, any service or benefit provided under a law administered by the Secretary.
(2) Contract for direction of calls authorized
The Secretary may enter into a contract with a third party to direct calls made to the toll-free helpline maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) to the appropriate office regarding a service or benefit described in that paragraph.
(3) Live individual required
The Secretary shall ensure that a covered individual using the telephone helpline maintained pursuant to paragraph (1) has the option to speak with a live individual.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Covered individual
The term covered individual means—
(A) a veteran;
(B) an individual acting on behalf of a veteran; or
(C) an individual, other than a veteran, who is eligible to receive a benefit or service under a law administered by the Secretary.
(2) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
(3) Veteran
The term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 2002(b) of title 38, United States Code.