Congressman Raul Ruiz’s Statement on President Biden’s Announcement of 1 million PACT Act Claims Approved
Washington D.C. – Today,Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) released the following statement regarding President Biden’s announcement that more than 1 million PACT Act related claims had been granted.
“Today, we celebrate a major milestone of more than 1 million PACT Act related cases being granted to more than 888,000 veterans and survivors who are now receiving their service-connected disability benefits,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. “These veterans and survivors are from across all 50 states and U.S. territories. In my district alone, over 5,000 veterans have received PACT Act benefits. These are historic numbers for a historic piece of legislation. I applaud President Biden’s commitment to honoring our veterans by continually meeting words with action. Since its passage in 2022, the Biden Administration has expanded the PACT Act to benefit even more veterans and survivors.
“The PACT Act is personal for me because it helps fulfill a promise I made to fallen veteran, Jennifer Kepner,” continued Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz. “These numbers of approval indicate the presumptive benefits I secured in the PACT Act have helped veterans, servicemembers and families get the benefits and care they need, earned, and deserve.
“Any veterans looking for assistance navigating the law, I’m here to help. For questions, please call my office at (760) 424-8888,” finished Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz.
Background
As of May 2024, California has granted a total of 74,363 PACT Act claims and California’s 25th Congressional District has granted 5,209 PACT Act claims.
In August 2022, President Biden signed the landmark bipartisan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law. This law was the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years.
The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law enables the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer veterans and their survivors the care and benefits they have rightfully earned and deserve.
For more information about how the PACT Act is helping Veterans and their survivors, visit VA’s PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care or benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-698-2411. More information on eligibility can be found at VA.gov/PACT.
President Biden’s full announcement and fact sheet can be viewed here.
For a state-by-state breakdown of PACT Act data, click here.