Free help vs. claim sharks: what to know first

You earned your benefits, and you don’t have to pay anyone to claim them. This page exists because a whole industry has grown up telling veterans otherwise — and losing money to it is one of the most common, most avoidable mistakes in this whole process.

The rule, plainly

Only VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives may lawfully help with a VA benefits claim. And no one — accredited or not — may charge you for help filing an initial claim. Accredited attorneys and agents can charge regulated fees only later, at the appeal stage, and those fees are subject to VA review. A VSO’s help is always free.

The “claim sharks”

Unaccredited “claims consultants” and “medical evidence” companies market themselves aggressively to veterans and typically charge thousands of dollars — often a cut of your retroactive back pay — for work that a VSO does for free. VA has sent dozens of cease-and-desist letters to such companies. They are never a source of funding — they take money, they don’t give it.

Four myths worth naming:

1. “You have to pay a consultant to get rated.” False — VSOs are free and accredited.
2. “That company is VA-approved.” VA approves no such company. Check the accreditation lookup.
3. “A percentage of back pay is standard.” Only regulated fees, only at appeal, only from accredited reps.
4. Never treat a paid claims service as a funding resource. It isn’t one.

What to do instead

Appoint a free accredited representative before you file anything complex — use VA’s find-a-rep tool, and if you’re facing homelessness, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 first. This guide points only to legitimate, free-to-apply programs — eligibility and disability ratings are determined by VA, not by us.