While there is no deadline for veterans to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, an important date is looming.
Most veterans who apply for PACT Act benefits by Aug. 9 – or submit their intent to file – will have their benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022.
That’s the date President Joe Biden signed the sweeping legislation that makes veterans of all eras exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits.
To help get the word out, VA is hosting a Summer VetFest to inform veterans and their survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned.
Summer VetFest events will take place in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. According to a VA release, the “casual summer gatherings” will feature veterans, their families, veteran advocates and the VA health care and benefits professionals. At the events, VA staff will help veterans apply for PACT Act-related benefits (or submit an intent to file), enroll in VA health care, get screened for toxic exposures, and more.
"There are millions of veterans and survivors across America who are eligible for new health care and benefits, and we will not rest until every one of them gets what they’ve earned,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “That’s what this Summer VetFest is all about educating veterans, their families, and survivors – and encouraging them to apply.”
Since the PACT Act became law, VA has delivered more than $1.4 billion dollars in PACT Act benefits to veterans. More than 660,000 veterans have applied for PACT Act-related benefits, more than 3.7 million have received the new toxic exposure screenings and more than 287,000 have enrolled in VA health care.
Related
VA has held hundreds of PACT Act-related events across all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico since Aug. 10, 2022, including a PACT Act Week of Action in December, when VA hosted more than 120 events across the nation.
Veterans and survivors can apply or learn more about the PACT Act by visiting here, by calling 1-800-MYVA411 or by attending one of this month’s events.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
Related
