The PACT Act Week of Action is underway.
Between now and Dec. 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting host more than 90 events across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to tell veterans, their families, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned.
“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 in a statement. “That’s what this PACT Act Week of Action is all about: educating veterans, their families and survivors — and encouraging them to apply today.”
Signed into law on Aug. 10, the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics ACT provides expands opportunities for VA health care and benefits to the roughly 3.5 million veterans exposed to burn pits and airborne toxins during their service across all eras.
More than 176,000 veterans have applied for PACT Act-related benefits and more than 503,000 have received new toxic exposure screenings with nearly 39% reporting a concern of exposure.
“While we anticipate an initial increase in the disability claims backlog towards the Spring, we are fully prepared to grant PACT Act claims beginning Jan. 1 because of the more than 2,000 new hires at VA,” said VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes.
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The events will feature veterans, veteran families and survivors, VA leaders, members of Congress, local elected officials, Veterans Service Organizations, state directors of Veterans Affairs and more — all of whom are working together to spread awareness about the new healthcare and benefits available to veterans and survivors as a result of the new law.
Many of these events will have VA staff present to help veterans apply for benefits, get screened for toxic exposures and enroll in VA health care.
A full list of events can be found here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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