Passage and implementation of The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act) has made it possible for many veterans to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. For some, however, the time to apply is running out. There are two related groups with different deadlines. 

The PACT Act deadlines are as follows:

• First, Veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA health care, and left active duty after September 11, 2001, and before October 1, 2013, are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for disability compensation benefits. Their deadline to apply is September 30, 2023.
• Second, Veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA health care, and left active duty on or after October 1, 2013, are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for disability compensation benefits. Their deadline to apply is 10 years after they left active duty, meaning some Veterans’ eligibility could end as early as October 1, 2023.

VA is currently conducting a full-scale nationwide outreach campaign to connect with veterans who fall into one of the two categories and encourage them to enroll in VA health care before these upcoming deadlines. The campaign includes earned media, paid media, social media, events, and online toolkits. For more information about the PACT Act and its benefits, click here.