Sec. 5002. TELEPHONE HELPLINE FOR ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS AND OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

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## SEC. 5002 TELEPHONE HELPLINE FOR ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS AND OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ###

(a)In General Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: > > ## “SEC. 5321 Benefits helpline > > > ### “(a) Establishment > > The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may call in order to— > > > #### “(1) > > obtain information about any service or benefit provided under the laws administered by the Secretary; or > > > #### “(2) > > be directed to an appropriate office of the Department regarding such a service or benefit. > > > ### “(b) Contract for Direction of Calls Authorized > > The Secretary may enter into a contract with a third party to direct calls made to the helpline to an appropriate office under subsection (a)(2). > > > ### “(c) Live Individual Required > > The Secretary shall ensure that a covered individual who calls the helpline has the option to speak with a live individual. > > > ### “(d) Definitions > > In this section: > > > #### “(1) > > 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) > > The term ‘**veteran**’ has the meaning given such term in section 2002(b) of this title.” > . ###

(b)Clerical Amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:" “5321. Benefits helpline.” ".