PACT Act Benefits and Care
“I was proud to cast my vote for the bipartisan Honoring our PACT Act. Over three million veterans exposed to burn pits and toxins can now access the care they deserve. When we sent our servicemembers into harm’s way, we made a promise that we would take care of them when they came home. With this legislation, we can honor our sacred pact, prioritize veterans, and commit to paying for the true cost of war.” - Congresswoman Shontel Brown
There’s no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits. But if you filed your PACT Act claim—or submitted your intent to file—by 11:59 PM on August 14, 2023, you may receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This legislation is one of the largest expansions of benefits in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) history.
The PACT Act was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022 and after passing the House of Representatives and Senate earlier that summer. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that the VA assumes are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned.
The PACT Act will bring the following changes:
- Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
- Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures
- Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
- Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
- Helps improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures
Those who had claims denied in the past are now encouraged to file a Supplemental Claim.
If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits. For more information and to apply for benefits, visit www.va.gov/PACT or click here. You can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 (TTY:711).
Our office is also happy to help - you can contact my District Office (East) at 216-522-4900 and District Office (West) at 216-535-1100.