On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, or PACT Act into law. This law helps millions of Veterans and their survivors by extending the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affair’s health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures. This also includes Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-September 11 eras. It also expands benefits eligibility for Veterans exposed to toxic substances and their survivors.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps the VA provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.
The CVSO can still help you file your PACT Act related claims even after August 9, 2023. To submit an Intent to File before August 9, 2023 please call the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000 or you can file online at va.gov or go to your county veterans services office.
Background on the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
Aid and Attendance is a benefit paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to senior veterans, veteran spouses, or surviving spouses. It is a benefit for low wealth veterans who need financial help to pay for in-home or assisted living facility care. It is a non-service connected disability benefit, meaning the disability does not have to be a result of service. The VA Aid and Attendance Benefit was never intended to be for every senior veteran who served during a time of war—it is not an entitlement. It was meant only for those veterans, or their spouses, who were financially struggling at the end of their lives.
A Scam Related to the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit
Financial predators have been making large commissions by selling medium-and-high wealth seniors unnecessary or unsuitable financial products or services. They tell the seniors that in order to get the benefit, they need to “appear impoverished,” and they can accomplish that by converting their assets into their “veteran-friendly estate plan.” Seniors who follow their advice end up with irrevocable trusts or financial products that tie up their money so they cannot access it for the rest of their lives, while the predators walk away with large commissions or service fees for their “help.”
Project Goals: Developing a strong, collaborative communication system to:
- Detect fraud at early stages
- Respond effectively to complaints
- Stop scammers
Partners:
- California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
- California Department of Insurance
- California Office of the Attorney General
- San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services
- San Francisco Adult Protective Services
- San Francisco County Veterans Services Office
- Institute on Aging
- San Francisco Ombudsman
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Commission
- Swords to Plowshares
Resources/Materials:
Veterans and caregivers can find more information here.
Professionals that work with veterans & their families can find more information here.
More information about the Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit and Scam:
- Fact sheets: 6_PACT-Act-Scams Flyer
- Federal Trade Commission – 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.
To file a complaint about the scam or scammers:
If you suspect elder abuse, please call your local Adult Protective Services agency.
San Francisco Adult Protective Services: 415-355-6700, and/or report online.
- Submit a complaint to the California Department of Insurance
- Submit a complaint to the California Attorney General’s Office
- Report internet-related fraud to the FBI
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission
- Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission
- Report theft/fraud involving mail
- National Elder Fraud Hotline – For support in reporting fraud, resources, and safety tips: 1-833-372-8311
Other Resources:
- California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) lawyer referral services
- National Association of Consumer Advocates – Find a consumer law attorney
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- For further information about Veteran benefits and services, contact your local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO).
- San Francisco County Veterans Service Office
- Find your local County Veterans Service Office in California by entering your zip code: 1-844-737-8838
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
This program serving the community is funded by the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services.
