Last year, the 117th Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This bill expands presumptive health care benefits to more than 3.5 million veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service. The most comprehensive legislation to date to address American servicemembers’ exposure to Agent Orange, burn pits, and other toxic substances, the PACT Act also provides for toxic exposure screening for veterans enrolled in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care at VA health facilities across the country. To maximize the impact of these expanded benefits, the VA is actively working to reach out to veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care.
An important deadline is coming up soon: Eligible veterans and survivors who file their claims (or submit an intent to file) by August 9, 2023 may receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. Enrollment will continue after August 9, but retroactive benefits will no longer be available following that date.
Here are links to resources:
- For information on eligibility, click here.
- If you are a survivor, you may also be eligible. Click here.
- To file for disability benefits, click here.
- If you file by August 9, 2023, you may be eligible for retroactive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.
- If you need help contacting the VA, let our office in Houston know.
- Or call:
- More details about the PACT Act are available at WhiteHouse.gov.
Finally, even if you are not an eligible veteran, it is possible you may know one. I hope you will consider forwarding this information to your loved ones and neighbors who served in our armed forces and who could benefit from the PACT Act.
As always, I am proud to represent you and I am here to help you. Please call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or email here at any time to ask for assistance or share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
