ST. HELENA — On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that over 100 veterans, their families, or survivors registered for PACT Act benefits at his two town hall events in Vacaville and Santa Rosa.

“The PACT Act is a significant expansion of benefits for our country’s veterans, and it is essential that every veteran knows about what is available to them,” said Thompson. “I held town halls in our district to connect veterans with representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs and to answer their questions about how to apply. Thanks to these town halls, we were able to help over 100 veterans, their family members, and survivors apply for the PACT Act before the August 9 deadline for retroactive benefits.”

Click here to learn about the PACT Act and to file a benefits claim.

The PACT Act is one of the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history.

The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The PACT Act:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras;
• Adds 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures;
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation;
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care;
• Helps improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures.

If you’re a veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits.

Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.