Veterans Affairs (VA) officials are preparing for a big push over the next five weeks to ensure as many individuals as possible sign up for new military toxic exposure benefits before the August cut-off for backdated payouts.
This campaign, called Summer VetFest, is part of a year-long, $11.4 million effort related to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or the PACT Act.
This significant law passed last summer could provide new health care or disability benefits to one in five veterans living in the U.S. today.
The PACT Act recognizes that certain illnesses are connected to toxic exposures during military service.
It grants automatic benefit status for 12 types of cancer and 12 other lung conditions linked to burn pit exposure in the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the War in Iraq.
Vietnam veterans with hypertension and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are also covered, as well as those suffering from radiation-related illnesses who served in various locations in the 1960s and early 1970s.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough declared that the Summer VetFest’s goal is to educate veterans, their families, and survivors about these new benefits, encouraging them to apply right away.
Since the PACT Act became law on August 10, 2022, over 660,000 veterans have applied for benefits, leading to the VA distributing more than $1.4 billion.
However, the deadline is looming. Veterans applying for the PACT Act benefits within a year of the bill being signed may be eligible for payments backdated to that date.
But those who apply after August 9, 2023, will only receive payouts back to their filing date.
This is the reason for the big push in July: by applying before the August 9 deadline, veterans could receive significantly more in payouts if awarded toxic exposure disability benefits.
Throughout the past year, the VA has been running similar campaigns to raise awareness.
The new drive will include online ads, public service announcements, and events in all 50 states (plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico).
At these events, veterans can apply for PACT Act-related benefits, enroll in VA health care, get checked for toxic exposures injuries, or learn more about VA services.
Veterans or their family members can also find out more about the PACT Act benefits by visiting the VA’s website or calling 1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411).
The VA emphasizes the August 9 deadline for veterans eligible for PACT Act benefits, including those exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune between 1950-1980, to inform the VA of their Intent to File a claim.
Meeting this deadline means they could qualify for backdated payments from last August.
Joshua Jacobs, a sponsor from the Department of Veteran Affairs, highlighted that veterans could still file an intent even if they didn’t have their military or health records ready.
By doing this, they can secure their place in line and maintain the earliest possible effective date.
They then have a year to gather the necessary information.
He cautioned that veterans could still file PACT Act claims after August 9, 2023, but they may lose out on the earliest possible start date for benefits.
Are you considering appealing for PACT Act benefits? We may be able to help you with your claim. Fill out a case evaluation form for more information.
