PACT ACT & CAMP LEJEUNE
Q: How does the PACT Act connect to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
A: Contained in the PACT Act, Section 804, was a provision entitled the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 which will have a profound effect on our veterans and their dependents who suffered ill effects caused by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Those who served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water. Medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain medical conditions later in life.
Q: What was in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune?
A: Two of the on-base water wells that were shut down in 1985 were found to contain the following chemicals: Trichloroethylene (TCE), Perchloroethylene (PCE), Benzene, Vinyl Chloride, and other Various Compounds.
Q: What are the medical conditions identified?
A: Aplastic Anemia, Bladder Cancer, Breast Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Female Infertility, Hepatic Steatosis, Kidney Cancer, Leukemia, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, Miscarriage, Multiple Myeloma, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Neurobehavioral Effects, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Renal toxicity, and Scleroderma
Q: What are the possible dates of exposure?
A: The threshold requirement is the individual(s) had to be exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune for a period of not less than 30 days at any time between August 1,1953 and December 31, 1987.
Q: What documentation is needed?
A: Documentation proving housing at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days from August 1953 through December 1987 (like utility bills, base housing records, military orders, or tax forms), and medical records with one of the medical conditions listed above (as well as the date the illness was diagnosed and current treatment or treatment in the past for the illness) And any evidence of paid health care expenses for the identified medical condition. Also, a copy of the DD214 showing that the discharge was not a dishonorable discharge.
If you have qualifying service at Camp Lejeune and a current diagnosis of one of the conditions along with the necessary documentation, please contact your local Traill County VSO Office for assistance at 701-430-7059.
Mortgage, Rent & Utilities Assistance for Veterans
https://www.veterans.nd.gov/mortgage-rent-utilities-assistance
1)AIR FORCE AID SOCIETY: Provides emergency assistance and education support. Incorporated in 1942, Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) is an official charity for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
P.O. Box 2208
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 703-972-2650
2)AMERICAN LEGION: Provides Temporary Financial Assistance to help meet the need for shelter, food, utilities and health expenses.
Phone: (202) 861-2700 & (317) 630-1330
https://www.legion.org/financialassistance
3)ARMY EMERGENCY RELIEF: Provides grants, interest free loans and scholarships to promote readiness and relieve financial distress of soldiers and their families.
2530 Crystal Drive
Suite 13161, 13th Floor
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 866-878-6378
https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/
4)COMMUNITY ACTION OF NORTH DAKOTA: Provides supportive services for Veteran families.
3233 South University Drive
Fargo, ND 58104
Phone 701-232-2452
Toll-Free 800-726-7960
Fax 701-298-3115
5)NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY: Provides emergency travel interest free loans, quick assist loans, financial assistance and education, visiting nurses, and disaster relief.
875 N. Randolph St. Suite 225
Arlington, VA 22203
Call our headquarters at (800)-654-8364
6)NORTH DAKOTA HOUSING: Provides homeowner and renter assistance.
2624 Vermont Avenue
PO Box 1535
Bismarck, ND 58502-1535
800/292-8621
800/366-6888 (TTY)
7)SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES: Provides housing stability among very low-income veteran families who reside in or are transitioning to permanent housing.
3233 South University Drive
Fargo, ND 58104
Phone 701-232-2452
Toll-Free 800-726-7960
Fax 701-298-3115
8)USA.GOV: Provides rental assistance, unemployment benefits, financial aid for students.
Phone: 1-844-872-4681
https://www.usa.gov/benefits-grants-loans
9)VA HOME LOANS: Provides home loans to help Veterans, service members, and their survivors to buy, build, improve, or refinance a home. You’ll still need to have the required credit and income for the loan amount you want to borrow. But a Veterans home loan may offer better terms than with a traditional loan from a private bank, mortgage company, or credit union.
Phone: 1-800-698-2411
https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/
10)VFW UNMET NEEDS PROGRAM: Provides America’s military families who have run into unexpected financial difficulties as a result of deployment or other military-related activity or injury. The program provides financial aid grants of up to $1,500 to assist with basic life needs in the form of a grant – not a loan – so no repayment is required. To further ease the burden, we pay the creditor directly.
406 W. 34th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
Phone: 816.756.3390
https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants
11)WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT: Provides emergency financial assistance to registered and approved warrior households for some, but not all, situations. A warrior household may be eligible for a one-time financial grant only when all other options have been exhausted. Requests for assistance can usually be fulfilled in two business days, and all payments will be made to a third party.
Call the Resource Center at
888.WWP.ALUM (997.2586)
or 904.405.1213
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Friday 9 am – 9 pm EST
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/wwp-resource-center/emergency-financial-assistance
PACT ACT and NEW ELIGIBILITY
https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
Why is the PACT Act important to Veterans?
The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
What is the full name of the Act?
The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
When did the PACT Act pass?
The PACT Act officially passed the U.S. Senate on Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 with a final vote of 86-11.
What are new locations and dates that are now considered a presumptive exposure to burn pits?
****On or after September 11, 2001, in any of these locations:
- Afghanistan
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Syria
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- The airspace above any of these locations
****On or after August 2, 1990, in any of these locations:
- Bahrain
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- The airspace above any of these locations
Who is eligible for the special one year enrollment period for VA health care?
Veterans who were discharged or released between September 11, 2001 and October 1, 2013 and have not enrolled in VA health care before are eligible to receive care and enroll during the special one year enrollment period. Veterans may get free VA health care for conditions related to service for up to 10 years from the date of the most recent discharge or separation. A Veteran may enroll at any time during this period and get care but may owe a copay for some care.
When does the special one year enrollment period for the expanded VA health care begin?
The special enrollment period is starts October 1, 2022 and extends through October 1, 2023.
How do I enroll in the VA Health Care System?
Veterans may call 1-800-698-2411 (TTY:711) or go online to:
https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction
Traill County Veterans Service Office 