Georgia’s 700,000+ veterans, service members, and their families are facing a direct threat as we enter the upcoming legislative session. House Bill 108 (SAVE Act) was carried over from the previous session and now is only one floor vote away from passage. At first glance, it appears to support veterans, but the reality is starkly different. HB 108 would weaken federal protections, invite predatory claims sharks into Georgia, and dismantle the accredited system designed to safeguard those who served.

This legislation does not save veterans. It targets them.

What HB 108 Really Does

Despite its name, HB 108 legalizes practices that federal law explicitly prohibits. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5904, veterans must not be charged for assistance with their initial VA disability claims. These protections were created because unaccredited, unregulated actors have historically exploited vulnerable veterans with aggressive marketing, misleading promises, and excessive fees.

HB 108 ignores that federal law.
HB 108 invites those same bad actors to set up shop in Georgia.
HB 108 would allow unaccredited “claim consultants” to operate without real oversight.

Georgia’s veterans deserve better than loopholes that let people profit from their pain.

Accreditation Matters; HB 108 Dismantles It

Accreditation is not a bureaucratic hurdle. It is a federal safeguard ensuring that those assisting veterans are:

• Trained
• Vetted
• Accountable to a code of professional conduct
• Overseen by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

This system exists to prevent predatory behavior. HB 108 instead tells unaccredited actors:
“Go ahead. Charge veterans anyway.”

This bill elevates unqualified providers and undermines Georgia’s trusted accredited network from organizations like GDVS, VFW, American Legion, DAV, and others – a network that promotes and provides free, professional representation every single day.

Myth vs. Fact: Cutting Through HB 108’s Misleading Claims

Supporters of HB 108 have pushed narratives that do not match reality.
This campaign is committed to exposing the truth.

MYTH: HB 108 helps veterans get more support.
FACT: HB 108 helps unaccredited businesses profit from veterans’ benefits.

MYTH: Claims assistance is unregulated.
FACT: Claims assistance is heavily regulated under federal law, HB 108 attempts to sidestep those protections.

MYTH: Veterans want more “choice.”
FACT: Veterans want accredited, ethical, accountable help, not predatory contracts and unauthorized fees.

Over 15 Leading Veterans Organizations Stand United Against HB 108

In an unprecedented show of unity, 15+ of Georgia’s leading veterans organizations—representing hundreds of thousands of veterans statewide—have formally stated their opposition to HB 108 in its current form.

These organizations include some of the most reputable veteran service groups in the nation, all emphasizing the same core truths:

• Veterans should never be charged for initial claims assistance.
• Accreditation is essential for protection and accuracy.
• Those who break federal law should face real, enforceable penalties, not loopholes.
• Legislation affecting veterans must be crafted with veteran experts, not without them.

When this many veteran organizations stand together, Georgia’s lawmakers should listen.

Penalties Must Be Added; Georgia Must Enforce Federal Law, Not Undermine It

If Georgia is serious about protecting veterans, any legislation in this area must include penalties for unaccredited individuals or companies who charge for services that are federally mandated to be free.

Right now, HB 108:

• Provides no meaningful enforcement mechanism
• Allows predatory actors to profit with minimal risk
• Encourages behavior that is illegal at the federal level

Georgia should not reward those who violate the law; it should hold them accountable.

Predatory Claims Sharks Have No Place in Georgia

The rise of predatory “claim sharks” is a nationwide problem. These companies often:

• Charge veterans thousands of dollars
• Lock them into multi-year contracts
• Use misleading online ads and scare tactics
• Interfere with accredited claims processes
• Take a percentage of a veteran’s VA benefits, sometimes for life

HB 108 would open the door for these sharks to operate freely in Georgia.

We cannot allow legislation that feeds the sharks instead of protecting the people who fought for us.

Stand Up for Veterans; Reject HB 108

This campaign is not about politics.
It is about protecting veterans, enforcing federal law, and preserving the integrity of the accredited claims system.

We stand with:

• Federal law
• Responsible oversight
• Accredited service officers
• Ethical representation
• Georgia’s veterans
• And over 15 veteran organizations united in opposition

Georgia must stand with its veterans, not with the predatory actors who seek to profit from them.

HB 108 must not pass in its current form. Georgia must amend it or reject it outright.

Because when veterans are targeted, exploited, or misled, we do not stay silent.
We stand up for veterans.

Share a Personal Story
If you have a personal story about dealing with unaccredited organizations or actors for your benefits claim, add your story to the top of this campaign's advocacy message. In addition, if you feel strongly about the importance of ensuring veterans do NOT go into debt to receive the benefits they EARNED, feel free to share that in the story box as well.