Scammers Charging Veterans to Apply for VA Benefits — Applying Is Always Free
Scammers target service members and veterans preparing to leave the military, reaching out by phone, text, email, or social media and claiming to work for the VA or be "approved" by it. They offer to help you apply for benefits you are "missing," get a 100% disability rating, or speed up the claims process — all for a fee. The FTC warns that none of these programs are real.
The VA will never charge you to apply for benefits, whether online or in person. Accredited representatives and Veterans Service Organizations also help at no cost. If someone asks you to pay to file your VA claim, they are not working for the government.
What to look for
- Unexpected calls, texts, or social media messages from someone offering to help with VA benefits for a fee
- Claims that the person is "approved" by the VA or can guarantee a specific disability rating
- Offers to speed up the claims process or skip the line for a payment
- Pressure to pay upfront before benefits are processed
What to do
Apply directly at VA.gov for free, or use the VA's Accreditation Search tool to find a verified representative who helps at no cost.