Consumer Alert
Veterans: You don’t have to pay for help filing for your benefits
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Scammers often pretend to help, but they’re just following the money. And now that veterans and servicemembers exposed to toxic substances get expanded benefits and health care through the PACT Act, dishonest businesses and scammers are trying to get a cut.
You’ve probably seen the commercials on TV or social media about veterans’ health conditions possibly caused by exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. The ads offer so-called help to file a claim. The catch? They’ll charge you a fee, or a percentage of the benefits you get.
What they won’t tell you is that you don’t have to pay to apply for any type of veterans’ benefits, or that free assistance is available. So, if you’re a veteran or servicemember who can use PACT Act benefits, here’s how to keep what you’re entitled to:
- Learn more about the role of accredited representatives and recognized Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs).
- Use the VA’s Accreditation Search tool to find free help to file your claim, and to verify the credentials of anyone offering to assist you with a VA claim.
- Submit the application on your own, securely online via the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or in person at a VA Regional Office. There’s no cost for the forms and no fee to apply. VA will never charge you to apply for its benefits.
If you suspect a scam or run into someone who doesn’t tell you the whole truth about applying for VA benefits, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Found this useful? Please share using #MilConsumer2023.
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The pact act only cover xyz what about Bosnia, we slept with kerosene Heather's and waking up with black sud in ower nostrils. That's probably I have a real problem with my sinuses and headaches ( migraines).
And what about veterans that have applied for va benefits that have been turned down about 4 times??
Thank you
Peace and God bless
This is very helpful. I have a question? Well I'm getting 60% medical disable and 40% unemployable. Now I've been filing for my PTSD for military sex trauma but they keep denying me. Is there a separate claim. I'm suppose to file for that. Or what . Please inform me on what I need to do. Because this has been a pain for me mentally and emotionally. It had been causing me to isolate. Can u point me in the right direction. Thank u.
I, once put a stop to this at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center at the HPAC Building. They tried to prey on the most vulnerable Veteran in the Waiting Room. I, yelled at the team who was trying to get money from a Homeless Veteran.