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Lt Col Charlie Brown
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Thank you for posting this. Will pass along to the MVCN of the Red Cross
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SGT Ruben Lozada
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Greetings. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this on RP. :-]
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Cristina Johnson
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The PACT Act brings significant relief and support to veterans' surviving family members, primarily by streamlining the process for them to receive benefits. Eligible beneficiaries include surviving spouses, dependent children, and parents.

Before delving into the benefits, it's important to note that the eligibility criteria are designed to be fair and considerate.
These include:

- Claim Filing - survivors must submit a claim with the VA to be considered for benefits.
- Proof of Service-Connected Death - establishing a direct link between the veteran's death and their military service is essential for eligibility.
-Review of Previously Denied Claims- survivors of previously denied claims can reapply under the expanded eligibility criteria of the PACT Act.

The benefits are:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly payment available to the surviving spouse or dependents if the veteran or service member passed away while on duty or due to a service-related injury or illness. This compensation is particularly relevant for those affected by toxic exposures, such as asbestos, burn pits, and exposure to Agent Orange.

Retroactive benefits offer a one-time payment to a surviving family member if it is determined that they were entitled to additional benefits, such as VA compensation or pension, before the veteran's passing.

Burial and Burial Allowance benefits cover the costs of burial plots, headstones, and burial allowances in VA national cemeteries.

Education and Training benefits are available to surviving dependents who may qualify for educational benefits.

Final Monthly Payment is a one-time payment to the surviving spouse if the veteran received pension benefits or compensation from the VA at their death.

Home Loan Guaranty

Health care benefits, such as those offered through CHAMPVA, are available to family members who may qualify.

For information on how to apply for these benefits and the necessary forms, please refer to the following links:
- https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-534EZ-ARE.pdf
- https://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21P-535-ARE.pdf

Documents can be submitted by mail, in person at a VA regional office, or electronically. The fastest method for electronic submission is QuickSubmit.
https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/?cspSelectFor=quicksubmit

In addition to the benefits provided by the VA, close family members like spouses and children may also be eligible to file a toxic exposure claim lawsuit, often referred to as a "wrongful death" claim.
This information is essential if the death was a result of exposure to harmful substances such as asbestos, AFFF, and PFAS, among others.

It's important to note that the legal process for wrongful death cases is more complex, and solid evidence is required to support the lawsuit. Additionally, there is a statute of limitations that must be met. In these cases, an environmental litigation group's expertise in toxic exposure cases can be invaluable.
Non-profit organizations are also dedicated to assisting surviving family members in various ways.
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