The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will host the second annual PACT Act Summer VetFest, featuring over 100 events across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These events aim to encourage veterans and survivors to apply for health care and benefits available under the PACT Act. Scheduled from June through August, these gatherings will include VA health care and benefits professionals ready to assist veterans with applications, enrollments, and screenings for toxic exposures.
The VetFest is part of a broader outreach campaign by the VA and the Biden-Harris administration. This campaign is described as the largest coordinated outreach effort in VA history. It has resulted in historic numbers of applications for VA health care and benefits. Over one million PACT Act-related claims have been granted, and more than 400,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care—a 30% increase compared to the previous year.
“This summer, we’re inviting Veterans and their families to join us at more than 100 Summer VetFest events across the country to learn what VA can do for them,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “Our goal is to bring VA to Veterans – making it as easy as possible for them to sign up for health care and benefits – and that’s what these events are designed to do. There are millions of Veterans and survivors across America who are eligible for VA services under the PACT Act, and we will not rest until every one of them gets what they’ve earned.”
Since the passage of the PACT Act, the VA has hosted over 2,600 events, sent millions of letters and emails, launched a nationwide advertising campaign, and initiated its first-ever text messaging campaign targeting eligible veterans.
Key results from this ongoing campaign include:
- A record number of claims applications: In 2023 alone, veterans submitted 2,433,729 claims applications—an all-time high by more than 39%. The trend continues this year with even more claims submitted compared to last year.
- Record intents-to-file: Veterans submitted 2,299,815 intents-to-file in 2023—62% more than in 2022. The VA is actively reaching out to these veterans to complete their benefit claims before expiration.
- Fastest rate of health care enrollment since 2016: Over the past year, more than 400,000 veterans enrolled in VA health care—a significant increase from previous years.
These figures are expected to rise further due to recent expansions in PACT Act health care eligibility effective March 5. Under new regulations, all veterans meeting basic service requirements who were exposed to toxins during military service can enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for benefits.
Veterans and survivors interested in learning more about the PACT Act or attending an upcoming outreach event can visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411.
