The Department of Veterans Affairs started processing PACT Act benefits claims for eligible terminally ill veterans on December 12, 2022.  This ensures terminally ill veterans will receive their earned benefits and healthcare as soon as possible.

VA will begin processing all PACT Act claims beginning January 1, 2023.  VA will continue to prioritize the processing of PACT Act claims for terminally ill veterans. At that point, VA will also prioritize PACT Act claims filed by veterans with cancer, veterans experiencing homelessness, veterans older than 85 years old, veterans experiencing financial hardship and Medal of Honor and Purple Heart recipients.

From the moment that the PACT Act was signed into law the VA’s priority has been to get veterans the benefits they deserve as quickly as possible. Since the PACT Act was signed into law in August, more than 176,000 veterans have applied for related benefits. VA feels this number will increase as more veterans learn they are eligible.