Veterans or their survivors can get help submitting paperwork for claims under the Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 from Disabled American Veterans service officers in Clallam and Jefferson counties at no cost.
Most who submit file a claim or an intent to file a claim under the Act before Aug. 10 will have benefits, if granted, backdated to Aug. 10, 2022, the day the Act was signed into law, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) is the biggest expansion of veteran health care and benefits in generations, according to Glenn Cutler, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 5 service officer, in a press release.
“It’s important that veterans request the benefits they have earned through service to their country, as well as benefits for their spouses,” Cutler said.
In a number of cases, the benefits are free of federal taxes, Cutler said.
The PACT Act brings these changes:
• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras.
• Adds more than 20 more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures.
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation.
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care.
The DAV service officers are trained and certified in both counties on the North Olympic Peninsula to help veterans and survivors by answering questions and helping them file a claim or a notice of intent to file a claim at no cost. All service officers are former military members and receiving benefits from the VA.
They are available on Wednesdays in Port Angeles and Sequim and on Tuesdays in Port Townsend.
• Port Angeles: Service officer Glenn Cutler is available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St. For information, call 360-457-7004.
• Sequim: Service officers Rob Brooke, John Joseph and Derrell Sharpe are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Worksource Building at 810 W. Brackett Road. For information, call 360-775-6482.
• Port Townsend: Service officers Paul Cahill and John Hamilton are available from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St. For information, email pecahill@gmail.com.
