With the August 9 deadline rapidly approaching, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) is calling on veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their service, including burn pits or Agent Orange, to file for expanded health care benefits under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act).
The PACT Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden on August 10, 2022, aims to extend health care benefits to millions of veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during military deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and surrounding regions. However, despite its significance, millions of eligible veterans have yet to file their claims.
Senator Casey expressed his gratitude for the brave servicemembers who risked their lives for the nation’s freedom and security, emphasizing the duty to take care of them upon their return. The PACT Act ensures that veterans who were exposed to toxic substances receive the care they need and deserve.
The PACT Act brings the largest expansion of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits in decades and has extended eligibility for permanent VA health care and benefits to an estimated 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans. Nevertheless, many veterans are yet to avail themselves of these benefits.
Veterans and their survivors are encouraged to file a claim for PACT Act benefits by August 9, 2023, in order to take full advantage of the law. By doing so, they can backdate their claims to August 10, 2022, and receive retroactive payments.
It is important to note that there is no deadline for filing future claims for PACT Act benefits beyond August 9. However, those who miss this deadline will not have their benefits backdated to the enactment date of the law.
For more information on the PACT Act and how to apply for benefits, veterans can visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MY VA 411.
In conclusion, Senator Casey’s urgent message to veterans is to seize the opportunity and file their claims for PACT Act benefits before the upcoming August 9 deadline. By doing so, they can secure their well-deserved health care benefits, retroactively granted from August 10, 2022. Let us honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans by ensuring they receive the support they need and earned through their brave service to the nation.
