Pittsburgh Pulse

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Pittsburgh Pulse


August 9

Don't Delay, File Your PACT Act Claim Today

Signed into law on August 10, 2022, the PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes and other hazards while fighting for our country.  Veterans and survivors must file a claim within one year of the bill's enactment – by August 9, 2023 – to preserve this effective date. If Veterans file their PACT Act claim on or after August 10, 2023, their effective date for payment will be the date upon which their claim was filed, rather than the date the law was enacted.   

The VA is committed to ensuring all Veterans and their family members receive the benefits and care they have earned. Family members or dependents of deceased Veterans may qualify for various VA benefits.

Next steps for Veterans and dependents:

  • Apply now for PACT Act benefits by filing a claim
  • If you have not yet enrolled in VA for health care, learn how to apply.

Scan the QR code above to learn more about how to file a claim. 

Learn more: Watch PACT ACT OVERVIEW Video,  visit VA.Gov/PACT or call 1-800-MyVA411.


Veteran Town Hall

Date and Time: Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | 5:00pm-6:00pm

Location: Abie Abraham VA Clinic Auditorium | 353 North Duffy Road, Butler, PA 16001

Event: Our team will provide updates on clinical and facility operations followed by an open discussion for all attendees to address any questions. Our staff will listen to Veterans and their families, and provide eligibility, enrollment, and benefits information, as well as other health care program information. Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and the public are invited.


Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims Clinic, VHA Enrollment Fair, and Town Hall: Fayette County

Date and Time: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 10:00am-4:00pm | Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims Clinic & VHA Enrollment Fair 10:00am to 2:30pm | Town Hall 3:00pm

Location: Penn State Fayette, Eberly Campus | 2201 University Dr | Swimmer Hall - Williams 14 | Lemont Furnace, PA 15456

Event:Come out to learn more about the PACT Act, get help filing a claim or apply to enroll in VA health care. The fair will be followed by a Veterans Town Hall.

For more information about this event, visit: VA Claims Clinic, Enrollment Fair, & Town Hall: Fayette County


Butler VAHCS to Host Korean War Recognition Day Event

Date and Time:  July 27, 2023 | 1pm-4pm

Location: Abie Abraham VA Clinic (Auditorium)

Event: The Butler VA Health Care System is hosting its first Korean War Recognition Day Event on July 27 from 1pm-4pm at the Abie Abraham VA Clinic (Auditorium). All Korean War Veterans are invited to attend. Recognition pins and certificates will be passed out at the event. Resource tables and light refreshments will be available. For any questions, or more information, please call 724-477-5010.


Crawford County Veteran Resource Fair

Date and Time: July 31, 2023 | Noon-4:00pm

Location: 900 Water Street, Meadville, PA 16635

Event: Congressman Mike Kelly and Crawford County Veterans Services are sponsoring this event which will connect Veterans and their families with organizations that provide Veteran services in northwestern PA.   A representative from the Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office will be available to answer questions and provide resources about VA benefits and services. 

Point of Contact: Tony Digiacomo, Phone: 814.333.7413; E-mail: adigiacomo@co.crawford.pa.us


Introduction to the VA Caregiver Support Program

Date and Time: Monday, July 31, 2023 | 1pm-3pm

Location: Abie Abraham VA Clinic (Auditorium) 

Event Details: All are invited to join on Monday, July 31 from 1-3pm in the Abie Abraham VA Clinic Auditorium. A brief presentation will take place at 1pm. Caregiver resources and staff will be available throughout the event to share information about the Butler VA’s Caregiver Support program and answer any questions you may have.

For more information: Contact the Butler VA’s Caregiver Support Team today at 878-271-6174 to learn more, or visit Butler Health Care Caregiver Program.


Appointment with VA Benefits Counselor Available at Venango County VA Clinic

Date and Time: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 | 10:00am-2:00pm

Location: Venango County VA Clinic

Event: Meet with a benefits counselor for assistance with filing disability claims, discuss PACT Act benefits, or address questions about a pending compensation or pension claim. Appointments are limited.

For information about how to reserve your spot, visit: Appointment with a benefits counselor


Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims Clinic, VHA Enrollment Fair, and Town Hall: Beaver County

Date and Time: Monday, August 7, 2023, 10:00am-4:00pm | Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims Clinic & VHA Enrollment Fair 10:00am to 2:30pm | Town Hall 3:00pm

Location: Community College of Beaver County | 1 Campus Drive | Learning Resources Center 9103 | Monaca, PA 15061

Event:Come out to learn about the PACT Act, get help filing a claim or applying to enroll in VA health care. The fair will be followed by a Veterans Town Hall.

For more information about this event, visit: VA Claims Clinic, Enrollment Fair, & Town Hall: Beaver County


Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims Clinic, VHA Enrollment Fair, and Town Hall: Washington County

Date and Time: Tuesday, August 8, 2023, 10:00am-4:00pm | Military Toxic Exposures: VBA Claims Clinic & VHA Enrollment Fair 10:00am to 2:30pm | Town Hall 3:00pm

Location: Washington County Veterans Affairs Office | 95 West Beau St | Crossroads Center | Washington, PA 15301

Event:Come learn about the PACT Act or to get help filing a claim or applying to enroll in VA health care. The fair will be followed by a Veterans Town Hall.

For more information about this event, visit: VA Claims Clinic, Enrollment Fair, & Town Hall: Washington County


Appointment with VA Benefits Counselor Available at Warren County VA Clinic

Date and Time: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 | 10:00am-2:00pm

Location: Warren County VA Clinic

Event: Meet with a benefits counselor for assistance with filing VA disability claims, discuss PACT Act benefits, or address questions about a pending compensation or pension claim. Appointments are limited. For information about how to reserve your spot, visit: Appointment with a benefits counselor


VA Enrollment, Claims, and Information Fair

Date and Time: Tuesday, August 8, 2023 | 11:00am-2:00pm

Location: Michael A. Marzano Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic

Event: Our staff will share information about benefits, health care programs and services, PACT Act, answer questions, and assist Veterans with enrollment and claims submission. Toxic exposure screenings will be completed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information: Contact Josh Seybert, Outreach Coordinator, at 878-271-6677 or email joshua.seybert@va.gov


Appointment with VA Benefits Counselor Available at McKean County VA Clinic

Date and Time: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 | 10:00am-2:00pm

Location: McKean County VA Clinic

Event: Meet with a benefits counselor for assistance with filing disability claims, discuss PACT Act benefits, or address questions about a pending compensation or pension claim. Appointments are limited. For information about how to reserve your spot, visit: Appointment with a benefits counselor


PAServes:  Transportation Assistance for Veterans

Do you need assistance getting to your scheduled examination(s) for your VA benefits?  If so, PAServes Greater Pittsburgh may be able to help!

PAServes Greater Pittsburgh is the local branch of AmericaServes, the country’s first coordinated system of public, private, and non-profit organizations working together to serve Veterans, service members and their families.

Assistance with transportation is one of the many services provided by PAServes Greater Pittsburgh.

For more information, visit:  https://pittsburgh.americaserves.org or call 1-844-857-8387


Veterans Leadership Program Military Share Food Distribution Dates

Food Distro

Employment Opportunities

PA DMVA Homes Host Weekly Walk-In Hiring Events

Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is offering walk-in interviews every Wednesday at five of their Veterans Homes throughout the commonwealth.  Dubbed "Walk-In Wednesdays," the hiring events provide the public a convenient way to explore employment opportunities and possible receive an on-the-spot job offer.  Hours vary per location. 

For more information, visit:   Employment (pa.gov)


G.I. Jobs Virtual Job Fair

When: Thursday, July 27, 2023 | 12-4 pm (ET) 

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Event Details:  Don’t miss your opportunity to talk with dozens of recruiters from companies of all sizes at this online event! These recruiters know the value of hiring veterans and they are looking for you to join their ranks.

GI Jobs Virtual Job Fair Registration


VERA

Pittsburgh VBA Regional Office Operating Status

The Pittsburgh VBA RO is open for services 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday. To schedule an appointment for in person or virtual services:

Veterans and stakeholders may now also utilize the new, online Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) self-service portal to schedule virtual or in-person appointments with your VA Regional Office.  You can use the camera on your smartphone to capture the QR code above to schedule an appointment.  

Veterans can continue to get information about benefits or file a claim by visiting www.va.gov.  Veterans are also encouraged to continue with their appointed Veterans Service Officers.

To learn more about opportunities to meet with a VA representative in a community near you, visit our website for the full listing of upcoming and recurring outreach opportunities: 

Pittsburgh VA Regional Office Home (va.gov)


Veteran Good News Stories

We want to hear your VA good news stories!   Whether you're a Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E) participant who found a new career path, a Veteran who applied for and received care and benefits as a result of the PACT Act, or a long time recipient of service-connected compensation who had a great experience with VA, we want to hear from you!    These stories may be used by VA Public Affairs in speeches, presentations, and other related media to showcase to Veterans and survivors the care and benefits available to them, and encourage them to apply now. 

Please take a moment to provide your contact information through the link below and a representative from the Pittsburgh VA Regional Office will contact you to share your story.   

Share Your VA Story


Upcoming Events

Visit the link below to view the full list of virtual and in-person VA outreach events:

Outreach & Events | Veterans Affairs (va.gov)


Help Us Serve You!

If you are interested in having a VA representative from the Pittsburgh RO attend an upcoming virtual event, participate in a virtual speaking engagement, or provide a benefits briefing to your team, please let us know! 

Request a VA Representative Attend a Virtual Event


VA Welcome Kit

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.

Federal Benefits

VA Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, & Survivors contains a wealth of information about the broad range of benefits and services available, including pertinent phone numbers, websites, basic eligibility requirements, and more! 

The Veterans Benefits Guide  highlights VA benefits and services available for transitioning Service members and their families.

Veterans Benefits Guide

988

If you’re a Veteran having thoughts of suicide or concerned about one, reach 24/7 crisis support through the new Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) number: Dial 988, then Press 1.


The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate.