Hickenlooper, King, Cramer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Service Members Access Earned Benefits

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Angus King, and Kevin Cramer introduced the bipartisan TAP Promotion Act to provide support to service members in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) applying for their benefits as veterans. The legislation would allow accredited representatives from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), or other organizations, to participate in TAP classes to help transitioning service members file Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims.

"Leaving the service shouldn't mean leaving health care behind," said Hickenlooper. "We need to make sure service members avoid any gaps in their health care and services they've earned as they transition back to civilian life."

"Every year approximately 200,000 servicemembers transition out of military service into civilian life, whether the servicemember is finishing their first deployment, or retiring," said King. "The TAP Promotion Act would allow these servicemembers to connect with an informed, VA accredited representative who can mentor them in the process of applying for and receiving the benefits they earned. Thanks to my colleagues for understanding the importance of serving our veterans - just as they have served us throughout their careers."

"The Transition Assistance Program, otherwise known as TAP, is one of the most important tools we have to help service members prepare for life after the military," said Cramer. "But, of course, information alone isn't enough. It takes people. State and county Veterans Service Officers are often the first ones to help veterans access benefits that veterans themselves have earned. I think it's important to always remember that-they've earned these benefits. What our bill does is it makes sure they are part of the process from the start and not brought in after a veteran is already out the door."

"No service member should walk out the gate on their final day in uniform without a clear path to the care and benefits they earned. The TAP Promotion Act ensures that VA-accredited representatives can participate in TAP briefings and assist with Benefits Delivery at Discharge claims, helping prevent unnecessary delays in compensation, mental health care, and other critical services. This is a practical, bipartisan fix that improves oversight, strengthens transition outcomes, and honors our nation's commitment to those who served. The VFW is proud to support Senators King and Cramer in advancing this important legislation," said VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joy Craig.

TAP is offered at over 300 installations around the world and helps prepare service members for civilian life. Since TAP classroom instructors are not legally allowed to help veterans fill out benefits paperwork, having an accredited representative physically present in TAP classrooms during Veterans Affairs (VA) briefings would ease and simplify the process as service members transition to veteran status. Through the VA's Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD), service members can file expedited claims and complete medical evaluations before leaving service. Accelerating claims decisions would allow transitioning service members to have minimal gaps in essential care like mental health counseling and medication management once they officially leave service.

Full text of the bill available HERE.

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