ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An important deadline is coming up for veterans to get benefits through the PACT Act.

The law passed last year expanded healthcare and payments to veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances during service.

What You Need To Know

  • The PACT Act, passed last August, expanded healthcare and payments to veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances during service

  • Veterans have until Wednesday, August 9th to file a claim in order to get an extra year of retroactive benefits dating back to last August

  • The Department of Veteran Affairs has listed more than 20 presumptive conditions that are believed to be caused by exposure to chemicals during service 

  • Since January, more than 66,000 claims have been filed and $147 million paid out to veterans in Florida, according to the VA

The Department of Veteran Affairs has listed more than 20 types of cancer and other illnesses that are presumed to be caused by exposure to warfare agents, burn pits and other chemicals during the Vietnam, Gulf and post-9/11 wars. 

Julianna Boor, director of the St. Petersburg Regional VA Office, said in her 27 years of working in veterans services, the PACT Act is the biggest piece of legislation to support former servicemembers. 

“It can be overwhelming," Boor said. "This is a very comprehensive law and there’s a lot in it. It’s very, very beneficial for veterans but it’s not beneficial if you don’t know about it. So we want to make sure that we’re getting the word out.”

Veterans have until Wednesday, August 9 to file a claim in order to get an extra year of retroactive benefits dating back to last August, when the PACT Act was passed. On Saturday, 80 reps from the VA were on-site at Tropicana Field to help veterans enroll in healthcare, get toxic exposure screenings and file claims for PACT benefits. 

Gilbert Smith served in the Air Force for 20 years as an aircraft mechanic. He drove more than an hour from Spring Hill to get more information about PACT benefits and check the status of a separate claim he filed back in March. 

"I was exposed to hazardous chemicals on the aircraft," Smith said. "I was an aircraft mechanic and I wound up in 2009 I came down with kidney cancer. I really felt that that could’ve caused my cancer years after I got out of the military."

The Department of Veteran Affairs started processing PACT claims in January. So far in Florida, they've received more than 66,000 and have paid out $147 million to veterans, according to Boor.

With the upcoming deadline, Boor said her office is prepared for an influx of claims. They've already brought on more staff to help the claims process move along. Ultimately, Boor hopes veterans and their families take advantage of the benefits they're entitled to. 

“Even if you’re not sure what benefits to file for or even if you qualify, we want you to come talk to us and at minimum file what we call an intent to file," she said. "All that does is it puts a place marker in that says I intend to file a claim for benefits, I’m not sure what that is yet.”

Smith feels the PACT Act benefits are an improvement from what was available when he got out of service in the late '90s and he hopes he'll qualify. 

“To get medical care was next to impossible," he said. "But since the 2000s, the VA’s come a long way and they really take care of the veterans.”

Veterans can still apply for benfits after the August 9th deadline. Claims filed after then will take effect based on the date filed, so you won't be able to get the extra year of retroactive benefits.

For more information on PACT Act benefits and how to file a claim, click here.