GENESEO, N.Y., Aug. 7, 2023 — The Livingston County Veteran Services Agency will offer extended hours on Monday, August 7 and Tuesday August 8, 2023 to help assist qualifying residents who may be eligible to participate in the PACT Act. The office will remain open until 6 p.m. on each day for veterans intending to file an application. Veterans will be required to bring in their DD-214 and eligible survivors will need to bring in the veteran’s DD-214 and death certificate to apply.
A new law, the PACT Act extends VA healthcare and benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances and provides a pathway to care and financial compensation. If a veteran or eligible survivor files a claim under the PACT Act by August 9, 2023, and they win the claim, then the effective date of the claim will be August 10, 2022. This will entitle the claimant to a lump-sum retroactive payment backdated to August 10, 2022.
Likewise, if a veteran or eligible survivor files an Intent to File (ITF) by August 9, 2023, and they subsequently submit the “formal” PACT Act claim by August 9, 2024, then the effective date of the claim will be August 10, 2022 as the Intent to File preserves the effective date of the claim for an additional year.
“The PACT Act does not have an expiration date itself. Anyone can file at any time regarding PACT Act related disabilities,” added David Terry, Director of the Livingston County Veteran Services Agency. “The extended hours are to assist applicants who may be eligible receive the full capacity of the benefit and receive a year’s worth of back pay.”
Initial Intent to File or claims submitted after 4 p.m. on August 9, 2023 for PACT Act related claims will not be entitled to a retroactive payment to 2022.
To learn more about this program or to speak with someone in the veteran services agency, please call (585) 243-7960.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is comprised of more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.