Rep. Sykes Hosts Roundtable Connecting Veterans To PACT Act Benefits
CANTON, OH— Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) hosted a roundtable at American Legion Post 44 in Canton to discuss new health care and disability benefits for veterans who have been harmed by toxic exposure while serving in the military. Veterans are now eligible for these benefits due to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act which was signed into law last year.
“The PACT Act keeps our promise to America’s veterans by ensuring veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service can access the critical health care and benefits they’ve earned,” said Rep. Sykes. “I urge all veterans in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District to file a claim by August 9 to receive the benefits you are entitled to.”
“The PACT Act is important to me because it took me 25 years to get my benefits through the VA, and I don’t want to see another veteran go through what I went through. We knew we were exposed to a lot of toxic substances during the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan Wars and we became sick from this exposure, but we were originally denied benefits. I’m glad Congresswoman Sykes hosted this roundtable because we are coming up on a deadline for veterans to file their claims or express intent to file by August 9 so they don’t lose out on benefits available to them now. These are important benefits and compensation that can be put back into veterans’ pockets if they file by August 9,” Tim Hauser, Gulf War veteran and longtime advocate for the PACT Act.
“Today’s event was amazing. Congresswoman Sykes has the passion and commitment to serve our veterans and their families, and we’re grateful she came to Stark County to bring awareness about the PACT Act benefits to our community. This event also allowed us to let veterans and their families know they have advocates here in Stark County and to encourage them to reach out to us for help filing their PACT Act claims,” said De Ann Williams, Executive Director of the Stark County Veterans Service Commission.
The PACT Act makes nearly 3.5 million veterans across the country eligible right now for the care and benefits they’ve earned. The legislation ensures eligibility for benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, Gulf War toxins, and radiation.
PACT Act-related claims submitted by August 9 will be backdated to August 10, 2022, so eligible veterans are strongly encouraged to file their claims as soon as possible. Veterans and their families can find more information on PACT Act benefits by visiting VA.gov/pact or by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) (TTY: 711).
Rep. Sykes’s office can also assist with VA-related issues and can be contacted at (330) 400-5350 or sykes.house.gov.