Congressman Vicente Gonzalez supported the passage of the PACT Act, signed into law by President Biden last year. The PACT Act is the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The law's full name is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This act grants eligibility for Veterans exposed to harmful substances like burn pits and Agent Orange during their military service to submit claims.
The deadline for notifying the VA of intent to file a claim is Aug 9, 2023, providing access to potential backdated benefits. The complete disability claim doesn't need to be submitted by this date, only an expression of intent. Post-9/11 combat Veterans discharged between Sept 2001, and Oct 2013, can enroll for free until Oct 1, 2023.
Various resources are available to check eligibility and initiate the claim process. For inquiries, contact the VA at (800) 598-2411.
Resources: -
To check eligibility, please click here.
- To formally declare your intent to file, please click here.
- To initiate the process of filing for disability benefits, please click here.
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To determine the eligibility of surviving family members, please click here.
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For inquiries, contact the VA at (800) 598-2411.
Eligible veterans on SPI can contact Congressman Gonzalez's Brownsville office for guidance at (956) 682-5545 or toll-free at 1-888-217-0261. VFW, American Legion, and DAV provide free claim preparation services.
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