WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, announced his bipartisan legislation with Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to strengthen the Solid Start program was signed into law. The Solid Start program was created by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during the Trump Administration to contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after they leave active duty service to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits.
“The Solid Start program was created by the Trump Administration to help veterans transition to civilian life, and I’m glad to see it being signed into law. Making sure the brave servicemen and women have access to the benefits, healthcare, and other resources they earned is a crucial part of my role on the Veterans Affairs Committee. The Solid Start program better supports our veterans ensuring they have access to the services they need,” said Senator Cramer.
“America’s veterans bravely answered the call to serve their fellow citizens, but too many return home and are unaware of the VA services and support that can help ease their transition to civilian life,” said Senator Hassan. “Our bipartisan Solid Start Act will ensure that the VA reaches out to veterans proactively – helping connect them to vital tools and resources. The President signing this bipartisan bill into law is a win for veterans, and helps meet our commitment to ensuring that those who bravely served have the support that they have earned. Granite State veterans have raised with me the importance of strengthening support for new veterans – and their advocacy was essential in helping make this law possible.”
“The transition to civilian life is not always easy. Getting this bill signed into law is one more step towards giving veterans the support they need to ensure they receive the benefits they earned,” said Dr. Cassidy.
Background:
The Senate unanimously passed this bipartisan bill on September 8, 2022.
The VA launched the Solid Start program during the Trump Administration with the goal of reaching out by phone to all newly separated veterans three times within their first year of separation to check in and help connect them to VA programs and benefits, regardless of separation type or characterization of service. The program also prioritizes outreach to veterans who accessed mental health resources prior to separation in order to quickly connect at-risk veterans to services. The Solid Start Act of 2021 codifies the program and authorizes sufficient funding so that it can continue to serve veterans. Learn more here.
