Veterans urged to start PACT Act claims by Aug. 9
Starting a claim by Aug. 9 will help maximize the amount of back pay veterans will be able to receive
Veterans who are considering filing a benefits claim under the PACT Act are urged to get their claim started before August 9 in order to maximize the benefits they can receive.
Taylor County Veterans Service Officer Sheila Wundrow explained that if you apply for PACT Act-related benefits by August 9, your benefits will be backdated to August 10, 2022.
According to Wundrow, in order to take advantage of this and maximize the benefits veterans are due, they need to start the process by submitting an “intent to file.” This, she explains gives the veteran up to a year to file a completed claim, but ensures the veteran’s place in line for getting the benefits back to the signing of the law in August 2022.
When signed into law, the PACT Act brought with it a major expansion of benefits for veterans and surviving spouses.
According to Wundrow, even if veterans have been denied claims in the past, they should consider filing under the PACT Act, particularly if they served overseas or been exposed to toxic substances or radiation.
To begin the claim process, veterans only need to stop into the veterans service office located on the first floor of the Taylor County Courthouse. If a veteran has not filed a claim in the past, they need to bring with them a copy of their DD214 form.
In addition, the surviving spouses of veterans with a service-connected death are also encouraged to apply for the PACT Act benefits available.
Wundrow noted that with the large number of claims being filed across the country ahead of the back-pay window closing on August 9, veterans claims are delayed.
“People shouldn’t expect an answer right away,” Wundrow said. She said on average it is taking 106 days for a claim to be adjudicated from the time it is filed. She said this is one of the reasons why it is important to get the claim process started.
One of the common misconceptions she said people have of the PACT Act has to deal with level of compensation. She said they have had people who were already at 100% disability from military service coming in thinking they could qualify for additional benefits. This is not the case. Wundrow explained the PACT Act did not increase the amount of the benefits, but greatly improved eligibility for service connected claims.
“You are not going to get more money if you are already at 100%,” she said. She noted the importance of the PACT Act is in getting veterans the healthcare they deserve and need.
Wundrow encourages area veterans with questions or who wish to file a claim to contact her office either by stopping in during normal work hours or by calling 715-748-1488.
