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Huntington Regional Office 

August 2022

Proudly Serving Those Who Served

PACT Act Signed into Law 

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 us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in VA history. The full name of the law is The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.

The PACT Act will bring these changes:

• Expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras
• Adds 25 new presumptive conditions for burn pits and other toxic exposures
• Adds more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation
• Requires VA to provide a toxic exposure screening to every Veteran enrolled in VA health care
• Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures

If you’re a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits. We will continue to share information with you in the coming months regarding this historic legislation.

We're Hiring!

The Huntington Regional Office and other Regional Offices across the country are hiring. These positions are open to the public and we encourage you to apply if you'd like to join our team.

Job Title: Veterans Service Representative (VSR)

Pay Plan - Series- Grade: GS - 0996 - 7/9/10

Announcement Closes: August 15, 2022

USA Jobs URL: https://ww.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/667058200

Job Title: Veterans Service Representative (Rating)

Pay Plan - Series- Grade: GS - 0996 - 9/10/11/12

Announcement Closes: August 15, 2022

USA Jobs URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/667061900

Apply to be a Keys of Progress Recipient

Since the start of Progressive’s Keys to Progress^® vehicle giveaway program in 2013, Progressive has donated considerable time and resources to provide more than 800 veterans with reliable transportation so they can get back on the road and move forward in life. They have also donated vehicles to veteran organizations dedicated to military-focused community outreach. 

Progressive will hold their tenth annual Keys to Progress vehicle giveaway event on November 10, 2022 and gifting vehicles to recipients in all 50 states for the first time, with the goal of giving away 100 vehicles to veterans and their families as well as some active-duty and Gold Star members, veteran-owned businesses and non-profit organizations.  

Progressive works with military and charity organizations to find recipients in need of a vehicle and gather their stories. Vehicles are donated to recipients through a non-profit organization.  

If you are a veteran, veteran-associated nonprofit, veteran-owned small business, active-duty level E-4 or below military member, or current Gold Star spouse/domestic partner and have interest in being a vehicle recipient in this program, you need to apply through a non-profit organization (e.g., a charity or military association like a Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] post, etc.) and meet specific applicable criteria.

For more information or to apply, visit: Keys to Progress Program | Progressive

Make Contact with the Regional Office

We encourage you to take advantage of all opportunities to speak with a benefits counselor at the Huntington Regional Office either over the phone, virtually, or in-person.

Virtual and telephone appointments can be scheduled at your convenience by calling 304-399-9205 or by visiting VERA, our online scheduling portal. 

To discuss benefits during in-person appointments, such as compensation for service-connected disabilities, pension, aid and attendance and Veteran Readiness and Employment, the Regional Office is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Huntington VA Regional Office (VARO) has teamed up with the State of West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance (WVDVA) to launch Virtual Access Sites (VAS) at the WVDVA Charleston, Lewisburg, Logan and, as of this week, Wheeling, benefits offices. The VAS provides Veterans and Claimants with a comfortable, private space equipped with internet access and the help and technology needed to meet virtually with VARO staff via a secure video connection. You can drop in one of those offices Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM to get connected to the Regional Office. We are thrilled to have the Wheeling Virtual Access Site up and running and look forward to having them set up at all 15 WVDVA offices by the end of the calendar year.

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