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Bill would let VA buy advertising for benefits

In a move almost certain to increase the backlog of pending veterans’ disability benefits claims, two key lawmakers are pushing for the Department of Veterans Affairs to advertise the availability of benefits.

Reps. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., are co-sponsors of what they call the Veterans Benefits Awareness Act of 2007, which would authorize VA to buy advertising from national media outlets to tell veterans and their families about available assistance.

The only novel aspect of the idea is that it would allow VA to spend money on advertising; VA has already been making a big outreach push in recent years to make more people aware they could be eligible for disability or survivors’ benefits, pensions and health care.

Earlier this week, VA announced a nationwide effort to try to contact former prisoners of war and their families who may not be aware of available government help, including changes in law that would make former POWs eligible for disability benefits for some common illnesses such as heart disease and strokes.

Aides to Boozman said the VA is not allowed to buy advertising under current law. The bill, HR 3681, would not set any limit on how much could be spent.

Boozman and Sandlin are both members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“Getting the word out to our veterans about the benefits they may be entitled to is currently based on an outdated communications model,” Boozman said in statement. “Instead of relying on brochures and posters, VA should be using modern media channels of all types to keep our veterans informed as to what they are entitled to, and how they can begin receiving benefits.”

Boozman said VA should advertise about benefits in the same way the military advertises for recruiting.

“I’ve seen lots of recruiting ads for the military services, but when was the last time you saw a VA commercial during the Super Bowl?” he said. “VA needs to communicate better about the great programs they have for our veterans, and reliance on free public service announcements and pamphlets just isn’t getting the job done.”

The VA has a backlog of about 600,000 veterans’ claims, a pile that has been growing in recent years.

VA officials have told Congress there are several reasons for the increase; one is that the government is doing a much better job of telling separating service members about veterans’ benefits, which has led more of them to immediately file claims when they leave service.