The Department of Veterans Affairs shall provide a toll-free telephone number for use as a clearinghouse by active members of the armed forces in this state, including the National Guard, and their families to obtain, in response to their requests about benefits or services that may be available to such members or their families, referrals to entities that provide such benefits or services. The toll-free telephone number shall be staffed by employees of or trained volunteers working at the Department of Veterans Affairs on weekdays during regular business hours, and on weekends and holidays from nine o’clock a.m. to five o’clock p.m.