EXTENDED DEADLINE: Courtney Encourages Veterans to File PACT Act Claims Now to Receive Backdated Benefits
NORWICH, CT – On the one-year anniversary of the Honoring Our PACT Act becoming law, Rep. Courtney today encouraged veterans and survivors to file PACT Act claims or an intent to file as soon as possible. This follows the Department of Veterans Affairs’ extension of the deadline to receive backdated benefits for claims to Monday, August 14th, 2023, at 11:59PM.
“Veterans exposed to Agent Orange who served in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Guam, and Gulf War and Post 9/11 veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxins covered under the PACT Act must file a claim or an intent to file by Monday, August 14th, 2023, to receive benefits backdated to August 10th, 2022,” Courtney said. “There is no deadline to file a PACT Act claim, but veterans who file claims after the August 14th deadline will only receive benefits from the date of filing and not the backdated benefits they could receive if they file before the extended deadline.
“Veterans should visit VA.gov/PACT to file online, and for questions, call my Norwich office at (860) 886-0139. This is the largest expansion in veterans’ health care benefits ever, and it’s important that veterans and survivors take advantage of this extended deadline and file claims as soon as possible.”
Following high traffic on VA.gov in the lead-up to the original deadline for backdated PACT Act benefits, some veterans received error messages when filing claims. In response, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it has extended the deadline to August 14th, 2023, at 11:59PM.
Since the Honoring Our PACT Act was signed into law, one year ago today, over 1,000 veterans in Connecticut’s Second District have filed PACT Act-related claims.
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