Skip to main content

Rep. Wild’s Bill to Provide Legal Services for Women Veterans Becomes Law

January 27, 2021

WASHINGTON – This month, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07)'s Improving Legal Services for Female Veterans Actwas signed into law. Included as a key component of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, Wild's legislation will provide legal assistance to women veterans to help them access services to assist with eviction and foreclosure, child support, and child care.

In June 2019, Wild led Reps. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) and thirty other members of the House in pushing this critical legislation in the House. The bill, spearheaded by these four members of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus, passed the House in November 2019 as part of the Deborah Sampson Act, which was included in Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act.

"Women veterans face unique challenges that the Department of Veterans Affairs isn't currently equipped to help them with—and it is our responsibility to do more than just acknowledge these challenges, we need to provide the resources they have earned," Wild said. "We can, and must, do more to support women veterans as they transition back to civilian life—and with this law, we are taking an important step in that direction. The growing ranks of women in our military has made our military stronger, and our country safer—now, it's our job to make sure they have the support they need when they come home. I am thrilled to see this commitment to the support our women veterans deserve finally signed into law."

The Improving Legal Services for Female Veterans Act requires the VA to partner with at least one Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to provide legal services, specifically to women veterans. This partnership is intended to focus on the 10 highest unmet needs as described in the 2018 Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Group for Veterans (CHALENG for Veterans) survey, including child care, dental care, legal assistance for child support issues, and legal assistance to prevent eviction and foreclosure.

Women continue to take on new roles and responsibilities in each branch of the armed services, and according to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, over 345,000 women have deployed since 9/11. Yet, their service and sacrifice are often overlooked. The number of women seeking care at the Department of Veterans Affairs has increased by 80% and female veterans face unique needs. In a recent national survey conducted by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 78% of respondents believe that addressing issues facing women veterans is extremely or very important.

###

Issues:Veterans