; (B) an individual acting on behalf of a veteran; or (C) an individual, other than a veteran, who is eligible to receive a benefit or service under a law administered by the Secretary; (4) the term Secretary means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and (5) the term veteran has the meaning given the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code. (b) Establishment of helpline (1) In general The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, and after conducting the study required under subsection (c), shall designate a covered dialing code for the purposes of a toll-free telephone helpline that a covered individual may use to obtain information about, or through which a covered individual may be directed to, any service or benefit provided under a law administered by the Secretary, including any service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs in the area in which the covered individual is located. (2) Contract for direction of calls The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, may enter into a contract with an outside entity to direct calls made to the telephone helpline established under paragraph (1) to the appropriate person regarding a service or benefit described in that paragraph. (3) Live individual The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall ensure that a covered individual using the telephone helpline established under paragraph (1) speaks with a live individual rather than a recording. (c) Study required (1) In general The Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall conduct a study to determine which covered dialing code is most appropriate for the designation required under subsection (b)(1). (2) Requirements In conducting the study required under paragraph (1), the Commission, in coordination with the Secretary, shall— (A) consider all covered dialing codes, including the codes that are used for other purposes; (B) give preference to any code with which covered individuals are likely to be familiar