Veterans filing VA disability claims have long been targets for companies that charge steep, often hidden fees for help they could get for free. Starting October 1, 2026, Maryland has a new legal backstop against that practice.
What the New Law Requires
Maryland's House Bill 977, passed during the 2026 legislative session, targets anyone who is not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but still seeks payment for preparing, presenting, or prosecuting a veteran's benefits claim, or for advising or consulting on one. Under the law, those providers must now enter into a written fee agreement, signed by both the veteran and the provider, that complies with the disclosure standards already set out in federal VA regulations (38 CFR § 14.636).
In practice, that means a veteran working with a non-accredited claims consultant must be told in writing, before any money changes hands, whether that person or company is actually VA-accredited, when and how fees can legally be charged, and that accredited Veterans Service Organizations can often provide the exact same help for free.
Real Penalties Attached
Maryland did not leave the new rule toothless. A violation is treated as an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under the state's Consumer Protection Act, which carries its own civil and criminal exposure. On top of that, the law adds a specific penalty for failing to make the required disclosures: a civil fine of up to $10,000 per violation, plus a one-year ban on offering veteran benefits services in Maryland, according to the bill's legislative fiscal and policy note.
That combination, a mandatory written disclosure plus a real financial penalty, is meant to close the gap between what predatory claims firms promise and what veterans actually understand they are signing up for.
Part of a Bigger, National Problem
Maryland is not acting in isolation. State attorneys general across the country have ramped up enforcement against companies charging veterans for assistance that is available at no cost through accredited representatives, and veteran advocacy groups, including the Maryland Military Coalition, backed the bill as a way to close that gap at the state level.
The core advice has not changed: before paying anyone for help with a VA claim, veterans should confirm accreditation status directly through the VA's own accredited representative search, and should know that service organizations and county veterans affairs offices typically offer the same expertise for free.
OWF's Take
Operation WarriorFit exists because we believe veterans, service members, and first responders should never have to pay out of pocket for things that support their health and resilience, whether that is a race entry fee or honest help with a benefits claim. Maryland veterans can find more on what is available to them in our Maryland veteran benefits guide.
If you are eligible for OWF and want to see what races are open near you, start at /eligibility or browse /races.