North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System Hosting PACT Act / VetFest in Jacksonville on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023

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Veterans and families do not need to sign up or register for this event ahead of time.

VetFest is being held to educate and inform Veterans about the PACT Act and to provide onsite services to include VA health care enrollment, toxic exposure screenings, VA claims assistance, women’s health, mental health, whole health, Vet Center and more.

Representing VA at the event will be personnel from the Gainesville and Jacksonville Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office, along with teams from the NF/SG VA Healthcare System, Malcom Randall Veterans’ Hospital and Vet Center.

“This VetFest will be absolutely phenomenal and we host these events in order to expedite health care for our Veterans who qualify,” said Wende Dottor, Director of the NF/SG Veterans Health System. “The PACT Act has created a unique opportunity and it is urgent that Veterans apply now that way they can maximize the benefits associated with the special enrollment period. Veterans who meet certain qualifications are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care through the PACT Act.”

VA is making a big push as the 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30, 2023, special enrollment period is rapidly approaching. Veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA health care and who were discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care through the PACT Act. This special enrollment period gives Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones an opportunity to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for disability compensation benefits. For more information, visit this PACT Act fact sheet.

Veterans attending should bring (1) a photo ID, (2) a copy of their military records if available, and (3) a copy of their DD 214.

VA leaders are hopeful the VetFest event at Florida State College will rally Veterans and families to take advantage of the opportunity to enroll for VA health care, submit claims related to toxic exposures, and benefit from other services.

More about the PACT Act – The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, signed into law in Aug. 2022, expanded Department of Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. It is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. To learn more, please visit: www.va.gov/pact. 

For more information on the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, please visit https://www.va.gov/north-florida-health-care/locations/malcom-randall-department-of-veterans-affairs-medical-center/.

Jacksonville Community Resource & Referral Center Main number

904-798-2800