VA kicks off Summer VetFest with events in 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico

The Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing to kick off its second annual PACT Act Summer VetFest.

Summer VetFest features more than 100 events in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico that encourage veterans and survivors to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned under the PACT Act. The events take place through August of this 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 in a statement.

The events are casual, family-friendly gatherings featuring veterans and their families, veteran advocates, and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them. At the events, VA staff will be ready to help veterans apply for PACT Act-related benefits or complete a previous intent to file , enroll in VA health care, get screened for toxic exposures, and more.

“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,” added McDonough. “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.”

In addition to hosting more than 2,600 events since the passage of the PACT Act, VA has also sent millions of letters and emails, launched a nationwide advertising campaign, and enacted the first-ever text messaging campaign to reach eligible veterans.

Veterans submitted 2,433,729 claims applications and 2,299,815 intents-to-file in 2023, according to VA. Veterans are also enrolling in VA health care at the fastest rate since 2016.

VA also recently expanded PACT Act health care eligibility to all veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military — at home or abroad. This means that all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.

Veterans and survivors can apply or learn more about the PACT Act by visiting here , by calling 1-800-MYVA411, or by attending an upcoming outreach event. View the full list of SummerVetFest events here.

Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com .