5 Reasons Why Veterans and Survivors Need to Apply for PACT Act Benefits ASAP!

5 Reasons Why Veterans and Survivors Need to Apply for PACT Act Benefits ASAP!

Have you filed for PACT Act benefits with VA? If not, why not?

First, VA wants you to apply for PACT Act benefits and care right now – and reapply if you’ve been denied before. If you served overseas since 1955, there’s a good chance you’re 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. So don’t worry and don’t wait – apply today.

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-21-0996 linked below) – 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 may be backdated to August 10, 2022 – the day the bill was signed into law.

• 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.

• Don’t wait. Visit VA.gov/PACT to apply – or submit your “intent to file” (VBA-21-0996 linked below) – today.

• Thanks to the PACT Act, VA is now able to “presumptively” provide benefits to Veterans who live with hundreds of toxic-exposure related conditions – including many cancers and illnesses.
   o 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.