News Releases
VA to begin processing PACT Act benefits claims immediately for terminally ill Veterans - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will begin processing PACT Act benefits claims for eligible terminally ill Veterans. (12/12/22)
VA launches national PACT Act Week of Action to inform Veterans and survivors about new health care and benefits - This weekend, VA will kick off a PACT Act Week of Action to inform Veterans, their families, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the health care and benefits they have earned. (12/9/22)
VA continues aggressive hiring push to deliver PACT ACT care and benefits - The Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring qualified individuals to join the benefits team as VA begins processing PACT Act claims starting in January 2023.These new VA employees will help ensure Veterans and survivors get the PACT Act-related benefits they’ve earned in a timely manner. (12/8/22)
VA launches largest ever liver cancer screening study - In 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will embark on a study to determine the most effective screening technique for liver cancer, a deadly cancer that can be cured if caught early. This is the largest clinical trial in history related to liver cancer screening. (12/8/22)
VA will launch new life insurance program in January, making life insurance available to more Veterans than ever before - On Jan. 1, 2023, the Department of Veterans Affairs will open enrollment for Veterans Affairs Life Insurance — the first new VA life insurance program for Veterans in more than 50 years — extending VALife access to millions of Veterans. (12/1/22)
More than 200,000 Veterans and beneficiaries have switched to safer, more secure payments through VA’s Banking Program - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that its Veterans Benefits Banking Program has converted more than 200,000 Veterans and beneficiaries from paper checks to direct deposit for receiving their VA benefits payments. (11/29/22)
VA health and benefits mobile app reaches 1M downloads - As of today, more than 1 million Veterans have downloaded the Department of Veterans Affairs’ new VA: Health and Benefits mobile app for fast, secure, on-demand access to the health care and benefits they’ve earned. (11/23/22)
VA creates scholarship program to help aspiring VA mental health professionals - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will establish a Vet Center (Readjustment Counseling Service) Scholarship Program to assist individuals pursuing graduate degrees in psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling. (11/21/22)
Twelve senior VA leaders chosen for prestigious presidential award for service - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that twelve VA senior leaders will receive 2022 Presidential Rank Awards (PRA) – one of the most prestigious awards in the federal career civil service – for their extraordinary service to Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. Chosen by President Biden, the PRAs recognize the hard work and important contributions of dedicated civil servants in the American federal workforce. (11/15/22)
Tomorrow, all Veterans enrolled in VA health care will be eligible for new toxic exposure screenings - Beginning tomorrow, Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and clinics across the country will offer enrolled Veterans a new toxic exposure screening. These screenings are a key part of the PACT Act, a new law that empowers VA to deliver care and benefits to millions of toxic exposed Veterans and their survivors. (11/7/22)
VA will prioritize delivering benefits to Veterans with cancer under PACT Act - Today, on National Cancer Awareness Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will prioritize the processing of Veterans’ benefits claims for cancers associated with the PACT Act. VA will expedite these claims to ensure Veterans with cancer are getting timely access to the care and benefits they need and deserve. (11/7/22)
Paxlovid reduces risk of Long COVID - Today, VA released a study showing the medication Paxlovid can reduce the risk of symptoms of “Long COVID,” which affects millions of people in the U.S. and around the world. In the interest of public health, the study, “Nirmatrelvir and the risk of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19,” was released before peer-review on the pre-print server medRxiv. (11/6/22)
New data shows 11% decline in Veteran homelessness since 2020 — the biggest drop in more than 5 years - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness announced preliminary results of the 2022 Point-in-Time Count showing an 11% decline in Veteran homelessness since early 2020, the last time a full count was conducted. This is the biggest drop in Veteran homelessness in more than five years. (11/3/22)
VA announces funding opportunities to help Veterans experiencing homelessness - This week, as a part of ongoing efforts to end Veteran homelessness, the Department of Veterans Affairs published three grant opportunities for Fiscal Year 2024 that will help Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. (10/27/22)
VA invites the public to dispose of unused medications and prescriptions during nationwide ‘VA Medication Take Back’ days - The Department of Veterans Affairs is inviting the public to participate in the annual VA Medication Take Back Days, to safely and securely dispose of unused or expired medicine — including controlled substance prescriptions. (10/24/22)
