PACT Act Benefits: Deadline Is Aug. 9 – Veterans Should Act Now for Benefits
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
Last August the Senate passed the PACT Act that expands healthcare and benefits to veterans exposed to toxins. There’s no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits. But if you file your PACT Act claim—or quickly submit your intent to file—by August 9, 2023, you may receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. If you are a veteran (or a survivor of one) with potential exposure apply now, Or if you have a family member who was exposed, encourage them to apply.
PACT Act Benefits
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that the VA assumes (or “presumes”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
Comments on "PACT Act Benefits: Deadline Is Aug. 9 – Veterans Should Act Now for Benefits"
Randy hbrook says:
Was in USMC gulf of Tonkin Vietnam.
Editor Comment: That service would certainly qualify. If you have one of the conditions eligible for disability, or if you think you might in the future, you should apply.
Admin says:
I served in Vietnam during the period covered (1971-1972 for me). Wasn't anywhere near Agent Orange (as far as I know), but I have had prostate cancer. So this latest push by the VA to file for disability under the PACT Act made me want to apply for benefits. I went to the VA website and tried to use the VA Form 21-526EZ to apply. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete the application. I was a veteran so long ago that I don't have any other ID number other than my SSAN. And I had never registered with the VA, so they don't have any records for me. After about 3 hours on hold, multiple calls, at least one dropped call, and 4 or 5 reps (most of whom tried to be helpful), I was still unable to register. So tomorrow I will call the local VA an see if I can come in to have someone help me. It was very frustrating - unfortunately the VA is a very big bureaucracy with a huge mission. That is doesn't get the funding it deserves is another issue.
For others trying to register - if you don't already have a EDIPI number or BIRLS ID you will not get anywhere online.
John says:
Here is an update on the signup process for VA benefits. If you try to apply online it will probably be a mistake. Instead, call the VA office near you and tell them you want to apply for benefits. I got a very helpful person who steered me to the right agent. She called me back and set up an appointment. You will get an application to fill out, and then go over it at a meeting with your case rep. You will need your discharge paper and a lot of other info. Once that is in the system a contractor will call to review your claim. And you will get an appointment with a VA doctor to get into the medical system. The case rep meeting was a week ago but I haven’t heard anything back yet. Stay tuned!
Admin says:
Here is the update 3 months later. I visited a nearby VA office and was able to register. The VA contact could not have been more helpful. Then I was interviewed about my presumed Agent Orange disability, and a month later was approved for a small claim. Went to see a doctor at the VA where everyone was friendly and professional. Now receiving my prescriptions from them with a very low co-pay - will probably save over $1000/year. I am very impressed with the VA - it is a very big bureaucracy but it is very helpful, in my experience.