A bill has been signed into law by Governor Newsom that protects veterans from what are known as “claim sharks”. Attorney General Rob Bonta backed the legislation after a similar bill failed to pass in 2024. The law prevents unauthorized access to the Department of Veterans Affairs claims system and prohibits the charging of fees that exceed what can be legally charged by a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent. Some agents have been accused of predatory practices by exploiting veterans seeking benefits more quickly in what can be a slow process. The help that’s offered by such agents is available for free from a number of organizations, including County Veterans Service Offices
-Steve Gibson