VA recently joined the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) on Instagram to discuss PACT Act benefits eligibility. Some of your couldn’t make it, or didn’t have Instagram access. Here’s the recap.
About half of America’s 18 million Veterans are receiving health care through VA. This is why the PACT Act is so important. If you served from 1955 to the present, in any of the areas covered by the law and have a diagnosis for a PACT Act presumptive condition, then you should submit a claim right now.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that VA assumes (or “presumes”) are caused by exposure to toxic substances during service—so called “presumptive conditions.”
“In taking the onus off the Veteran to prove that conditions that they are presenting are service related, we can automatically assume it is,” PACT Act Executive Director Steven Miska said. “The law gives us that flexibility. So, it’s really a game changer, and it’s given millions more Veterans the potential to qualify for benefits and possibly for health care.”
While there isn’t a deadline to apply for benefits, if you start your “intent to file” before August 9, 2023, and your claim is ultimately approved, VA may be able to backdate your benefits to the date of the bill signing. This means VA will pay you the amount you would have received from August 10, 2022, to the date VA approves your application.
And if you haven’t received a Toxic Exposure Screening, we encourage you to get one. All Veterans enrolled in VA health care can receive one. Not enrolled? Apply now.
Still unsure if you qualify for health care or benefits under the PACT Act?
“I would say give us a try. Go to VA.gov/PACT. Check it out. Look at your presumptive conditions, the location list and figure out if you think you have any of these possible conditions,” said PACT Act Communications and Outreach Lead Kate Hoit. “For my female Veterans, I want you to know that I personally use VA health care. My mom passed away from breast cancer, so I’m now on that list in addition to the being exposed to toxins. I get yearly mammograms and screenings [from my local VA hospital], and they are looking at me in a wholistic way. Before you cancel us out, give us a shot.”
To learn more about the PACT Act, including details about eligibility, go to VA.gov/PACT. To learn more about VA’s non-health benefits, including those that help Veterans earn degrees, start careers, buy homes, stay healthy and more, visit Choose.VA.gov.
