Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs have announced that they are extending the filing deadline for retroactive disability compensation claims to 11:59 p.m. on August 14th, 2023.
The initial filing deadline was August 9th, however when many veterans went to file shortly before the deadline they overwhelmed the department's system.
Approximately 1 in 5 individuals who attempted to submit their "intent to file" received error messages.
The issues with the site are what led VA officials to extend the deadline "out of an abundance of caution."
The VA released a statement to veterans following the technical issues.
Via Military.com
"We encourage all veterans and their survivors to apply -- or submit their intents to file -- for PACT Act benefits now by visiting VA.Gov/PACT," the department said in a press release. Officials stressed that all those who received error messages had been noted, and the VA plans to reach out to every veteran who received one to verify their intentions. They added that they are working to decrease hold times on the department's 1-800-MyVA411 help line, which also experienced an uptick in calls as the PACT Act filing milestone neared. "We continue to work on these issues and will not rest until they are resolved," the VA said in the release.
The PACT Act was signed into law on August 10th, 2022, and it expanded VA healthcare benefits to veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.
While there is not a deadline to apply for future claims, veterans and survivors are being urged to file or submit an "intent to file" by August 14th as they may get more benefits by doing so.
Those who do submit what they need to by August 14th may be eligible to have their benefits backdated a year to when the PACT Act was signed into law.
If you think you may be eligible it would be wise to submit your claim or "intent to file" by the deadline to maximize your benefits.
The sign-up link is here.