Expanded VA PACT Act deadline for health care closing soon
PEORIA (25News Now) - The window for enrolling in Veterans Assistance Health Care under the PACT Act is closing for some who were deployed in combat zones.
The VA says you have to meet these three criteria to be eligible:
- Deployed to a combat zone
- Have not enrolled for VA benefits before
- Left active duty between Sept. 11, 2001 and Oct. 1, 2013
The deadline to enroll is Saturday, Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m.
Zachary Landers with VA Illiana Health Care System said you do not need to have applied for VA benefits in the past to make this direct enrollment in VA Health Care
Landers added even if a veteran does not want health care services now, it will provide care at any point in the future.
“You can access that care and take full advantage of the resources that you earned, as you are pursuing a service connection if that’s something a veteran wants to do,” said Public Affairs Officer Landers.
Eligible veterans can enroll online HERE, visit their VA clinic by Friday during hours of operation, or call the VA Illiana Health Care System at 217-554-5209.
Landers encourages veterans to reach out to their county’s veterans assistance office. Some of those numbers are listed below:
Peoria County - 309-681-2554
Tazewell County - 309-477-2271
McLean County - 309-888-5140
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