The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center is urging Kansas veterans to take action on PACT-Act related benefits.
According to VA’s National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, there are roughly 186,000 Veterans living in Kansas. Currently, 52,080 Veterans are receiving service-connected compensation from the federal government, leaving 134,000 who may be eligible for similar benefits.
Most Veterans who apply for PACT Act benefits by August 9th (or submit their intent to file) will have their benefits backdated to August 10th, 2022 if approved.
VA officials say that while there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency.
“Along with outreach assets from the Eastern Kansas VA Health Care System, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and our state-level partners from the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs (KCVAO), we have trekked across Kansas educating Veterans and survivors on potential eligibility for new health care and benefits,” said Michael Payne, CEO and Medical Center Director of Wichita’s Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center.
The economic impact of service-connected compensation indicates that yearly compensation will bring an estimated $1.05 billion into the state of Kansas.
VA encourages all eligible Veterans and survivors to apply for their earned PACT Act-related health care and benefits now. Veterans and survivors can apply or learn more about the PACT Act by visiting VA.gov/PACT, by calling 1-800-MYVA411, or by visiting their nearest VA facility.
