The West Los Angeles Medical Center is one of several VA clinics in California participating in the VA’s PACT Act week. (Photo: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
As of Dec. 12, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is processing claims authorized by the Honoring Our PACT Act for terminally ill veterans, allowing them to access benefits early.
The development preceded the VA’s ongoing PACT Act Week, which aims to educate and assist veterans and families eager to apply for toxic exposure benefits. A full list of events, including those in California, can be accessed here.
The PACT Act, passed in summer, grants veterans sweeping benefits for ailments now assumed to be caused by toxic exposure during their military service. The American Legion estimates that over three million veterans will benefit from the legislation; in many cases, the benefits may be life saving.
The VA will begin processing PACT Act claims for non-terminally ill veterans on Jan. 1, 2023. However, as reported by ABC, U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee members, including Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., who introduced the bill in 2020, have expressed doubts about the VA’s ability to handle the unprecedented surge in benefits claims.
Earlier this month, the VA issued a press release in hopes of easing worries about delays. The VA is filling many positions specifically to process toxic exposure benefits claims.
Speaking on the hiring effort, VA Secretary Denis McDonough said, “there are millions of veterans and survivors who are eligible for new benefits and health care as a result of the PACT Act, and we won’t rest until every one of them gets what they deserve. That means aggressively hiring new VA team members to make sure we’re able to process claims and deliver care to veterans as quickly and effectively as possible.” He says, “there’s no better mission than serving veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors — and we encourage folks to apply to join our team today.”
As of early December, an estimated 175,000 toxic exposure benefits claims have been filed since the PACT Act was signed by President Joe Biden.
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.