Scanlon Urges Veterans to Apply For Benefits Ahead of Aug. 9 Deadline

RADNOR, PA—U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon Thursday urged Pennsylvania veterans and their survivors who may be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs health care benefits under the PACT Act of August 2022 to file or submit an intent to file before Wednesday, Aug.9, to preserve eligibility for retroactive benefits back to the law’s enactment.

There is no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits, but if a veteran files a PACT Act claim – or quickly submits an intent to file – by Aug. 9, the veteran may receive benefits backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, when the bill was enacted.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

“I proudly voted to pass the PACT Act last Congress to keep the sacred promise we make to our veterans by addressing the full cost of war,” said Scanlon, a Delaware County Democrat who also represents portions of southern Chester County

The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is one of the largest veterans’ health care and benefits expansions.

These are the provisions:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care to certain diseases linked to exposures to toxins during service in the Vietnam and Gulf Wars and post-9/11 era, as well as in nuclear testing.
• Adds over 20 presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures.
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
• Requires the VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every veteran in VA health care.
• It helps improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.

To file a benefits claim or find more information, veterans can visit VA.gov/pact or call 1-800-698-2411.
Rep. Scanlon’s staff can also assist with VA-related issues and can be contacted at 610-626-2020.