Veteran’s Voice
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Veteran's Voice — Sept. 7, 2023
The VA announced that due to high volume, some Veterans and survivors are receiving error messages when submitting their intent to file PACT Act claims. If you received one of these messages, they say not to worry, as they have logged your intent to file and saved your effective date for benefits. This is important because the deadline to file and be eligible for up to one year of back payments for benefits was Aug. 9. Due to the high-volume issues, if you logged on and filed by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 14, you are eligible, at least timewise, for the back pay.
As for Part Two, there’s another deadline: Oct. 1, 2023.
When the PACT Act was signed into law last August, the Act initiated a one-year, VA health care open enrollment period for Veterans who meet the following criteria: Served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or served in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998, and: Were discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013, and not previously enrolled in VA health care.
Prior to the recent passage of the PACT Act, some veterans meeting this criteria may have been denied access to benefits, for various reasons. One of the features of the PACT Act was to offer VA care to everyone who served and meets the two specific criteria above. A chance like this may not come along again.
The deadline to apply for VA health care without the need for additional eligibility verification is Oct. 1, 2023. You can enroll online at https://bit.ly/47GvGkT, or in person at the Kissimmee VA Clinic or the Orlando (Lake Nona) VA Medical Center.
Wave the flag on Sept. 12!
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, between 9-10 a.m. Eastern time, national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) is calling for the nation to join them in flag-waving to remind all Americans of the feeling we had – the pride in country, the unity and patriotism – which was expressed on the days following Sept. 11, 2001. The event will be hosted LIVE on WAA’s official Facebook page and broadcast over Wreaths Across America Radio. The broadcasts will include interviews and stories from volunteers, supporters, Gold Star families, veterans, first responders and members of the next generation. More info at https://bit.ly/3QX86uA
VA Suicide Awareness Day webinar and VA Lake Nona events
On Sept. 15, there will be several events at the Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona, starting at 9 a.m. and concluding at 2 p.m. There will also be a virtual event from 9-11 a.m. For more information, see https://bit.ly/3EejD12.
