KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) announced today the launch of its PACT Act Info initiative, an effort to educate toxic-exposed veterans on the expansion of benefits brought on by the passage of the PACT Act and streamline trusted access to securing those benefits.
Since the historic Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 was signed into law last August, an onslaught of phishing, vishing and social media scams have targeted veterans with the promise of help accessing PACT Act benefits, but for a fee.
PACT Act Info is the VFW’s latest effort to safeguard veterans, offering a tool to quickly and easily determine benefits eligibility and streamlining direct referrals to VFW Accredited Service Officers who provide free, expert assistance in filing for VA benefits.
“We want to ensure America’s veterans do not fall victim to predatory agents whose intentions are focused on monetary gain and not on what’s best for the veteran,” said VFW National Commander Tim Borland. “Veterans do NOT need to pay for consultations or any other assistance to secure PACT Act benefits.”
The VFW National Veterans Service trains and oversees a global network of more than 2,000 veterans service officers who are accredited by VA to file benefit claims on behalf of any veteran, regardless of VFW membership. VFW Accredited Service Officers walk the veteran through the entire process, from determining eligibility and the initial filing, to the decision and any additional appeal actions all free of charge, as required by law.
“The VFW was instrumental in the passage of the PACT Act to secure the life-changing legislation for veterans, but our mission does not end there,” said Borland. “Now comes the hard work of ensuring every veteran receives the care and benefits they have earned, without paying unnecessary fees.”