Five Reasons Why Eligible Veterans and Survivors Need to Apply for PACT Act Benefits by August 9
PRESS RELEASE
July 19, 2023
Fayetteville , NC — Thanks to the PACT Act, VA is now able to “presumptively” provide benefits to Vietnam, Gulf War and Post 9-11 Veterans who live with hundreds of toxic-exposure related conditions – including many cancers and illnesses. This means that when eligible Veterans apply for benefits, they do not need to prove that their service caused their condition; instead, VA automatically assumes service-connection for these Veterans and provides benefits accordingly.
- First, VA wants eligible Vietnam, Gulf War and Post 9/11 Veterans to apply for PACT Act benefits and care right now – and reapply if you’ve been denied before. Vietnam, Gulf War and Post 9-11 Veterans or their survivors, may be eligible for benefits under the PACT Act.
- Second, if you apply for PACT Act-related benefits by August 9, your benefits may be backdated to August 10, 2022 – so get your claims in as soon as possible. And if you’re not ready to submit a full claim by then, don’t worry – you can also submit a quick-and-easy “intent to file” (VBA-21-0996 linked below) by August 9 and still receive the same effective date.
- Third, some Veterans are worried that applying for PACT Act benefits will impact their current benefits – but the truth is this: if you file a claim, you are 32 times more likely to see your benefits increase or stay the same than decrease.
- Fourth, there are people out there who will try to convince you that you need to pay someone or use a lawyer to apply for VA benefits – but that’s not true. Applying for PACT Act benefits is free, it’s easy, and you can do it by working directly with VA or a Veteran Service Organization.
- Finally, you can learn more about the PACT Act – and apply or submit your “intent to file” (VBA Form 21-0996 by visiting VA.gov/PACT or calling 1-800-MY-VA-411.
Why Veterans and Survivors Should Apply by August 9
There is no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits, but there is urgency: If you apply for PACT Act-related benefits before by August 9, your benefits, if eligible, will be backdated to August 10, 2022 – the day the bill was signed into law.
Visit VA.gov/PACT to apply – or submit your Intent to File Form: VBA-21-0966-ARE.pdf
You can also file claims at a county Veterans Services Office, or VA accredited Veteran Service Officers and accredited attorneys and claims agents. To learn more about accredited representatives, visit www.benefits.va.gov/vso/