Kamlager-Dove Visits West Los Angeles Vet Center, Highlights New Benefits for Veterans Under the PACT Act

CULVER CITY, CA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) met with Vet Center counselors at the West Los Angeles Vet Center to discuss veterans' mental health and highlight benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances under the PACT Act, a law that provided the largest expansion of VA benefits in generations. There are over 1.5 million veterans in California. According to recent PACT Act claims in the 37^th Congressional District, only 565 of the 14,750 veterans have filed for their PACT Act benefits. To close this gap, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove is encouraging veterans and survivors to apply by the August 9 deadline to receive retroactive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022.

"Almost 15,000 veterans call California's 37th District home," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "Our servicemembers and their families make tremendous sacrifices when they enter the Armed Services, and it is the government’s responsibility to make sure they are provided with the care and support they need to address the illnesses and injuries sustained in the line of duty. This is especially true for the many Black and Brown veterans who don’t always have the same visibility and access to benefits."

“The PACT Act is a vital law that secured the largest expansion of VA benefits in recent history by strengthening the VA’s ability to provide health care for those exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other deadly substances. Thanks to this law, generations of our veterans – from those who served in the Vietnam War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – will be able to access the health care and benefits that they deserve,” continued Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove.

“August 9 is the last day for veterans to apply for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. I was glad to draw attention to this deadline yesterday for our veterans and their families and sit down with staff members at the center, both veterans themselves, to discuss some of the other challenges our veterans are facing like unemployment and lack of affordable housing and accessible mental health care," said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. "I look forward to continuing to work with the VA and local Vet Centers in my District to fight for the needs of our brave servicemembers."

“There are many veterans and survivors across California – and across America – who are newly eligible for health care and benefits under the PACT Act, and we will not rest until every one of them gets what they’ve earned,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “While there’s no deadline to apply, there is urgency: veterans who apply by August 9th may have their benefits backdated to August 10, 2022, the day that President Biden signed this historic legislation into law. So don’t wait, apply today at VA.gov/PACT or by calling 1-800-MYVA411.”

The PACT Act makes nearly 3.5 million toxic-exposed veterans across the country eligible for VA benefits. While there is no formal date by which veterans need to apply for these benefits, veterans who apply by August 9, 2023 will be eligible for benefits backdated to August 10, 2022, the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law. Since Congress passed the PACT Act in 2022, the VA has delivered more than $1.6 billion in PACT Act-related benefits to veterans and their survivors. All eligible veterans and survivors can file a claim — or submit their intent to file a claim — for PACT Act-related benefits now. Visit VA.gov/PACT for more information.

Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove's staff can also assist with VA-related issues and can be reached at 323-965-1422. For more information, visit kamlager-dove.house.gov.

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