NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and Wichita Regional Office (VBA) are hosting a PACT Act one-stop shop for Veterans and their family members to learn more about the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act at the Hutchinson VA Clinic at 1625 East 30th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 8.
"The PACT Act is a new law that expands access to VA health care and benefits for those exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances," said Tamara Thomas with the Dole VA Medical Center. "This law helps us provide generations of veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they well earned and deserve. It expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam-era, Gulf War-era, post 9/11 and it expands eligibility for benefits."
David Jackson with the Veterans Benefits Administration wants to be clear, this is an expansion that means that even if you have been denied before, you should come and ask again, or if you need help working out red tape with the VA, show up on Saturday.
"I just want to talk to every Veteran, their caregivers, survivors," Jackson said. "You served our country. You sacrificed for our country. Now, it's our time to serve you. I just want to make sure that people understand that if you apply for PACT Act related benefits on or before August 9, 2023, your benefits may be back dated to August 10, 2022. Get your claims in as soon as possible. Please come see us. We want to talk to you. We want to help you. We appreciate your service. A lot of us are veterans at the VA. We're passionate about you. Come see us, please."
Even those who are not career military and served in the National Guard or in the reserves are also eligible for some benefits under this legislation.
"Guard and reserve are eligible for the PACT Act, as well," Thomas said. "Those are different things that we are getting out there to our Guard and reserve branches, letting them know. If they've served over two years and one day in wartime, they are eligible for benefits. That brings them into the VA, especially with the VA health care that they are needing. Also, if they did serve in the deployment area, they are getting up to 10 years of free health care from that deployment."
During this event, you can address disability claims, enroll in health care, attend education sessions, and receive a toxic exposure screening.
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