COLUMBIA, SC (SCDVA) - The US Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the SC Department of Veterans’ Affairs (SCDVA), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Vets (DAV), will hold the second Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) claims clinic in the Midlands.
The three-day clinic will draw Veterans from around the state and will be held at the National Guard Armory in Columbia. It will assist all South Carolina Veterans with filing and processing disability claims in addition to health care enrollment related to the accelerated PACT Act.
Prior to the three-day clinic, Veterans and their families can call in and get answers to questions they may have regarding their benefits and the PACT Act during the two-day phone bank hosted by WIS News 10 United for Veterans. The phone bank will be held on Monday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 19 from 4PM-6:30PM. Veterans and their families are encouraged to call in to receive assistance with benefits, claims, and health care enrollment. The number to call is (803) 758-1020.
Veterans who attend the three-day clinic will receive the following assistance:
- VA Disability Compensation and pension claims filing and assistance for Veteran and Widow benefits.
- On-site C&P exams (for eligible Veterans)
- Veteran readiness and employment benefits.
- VA life insurance, home loan and education information.
- VHA health care benefits and on-site enrollment (PACT Act).
- VA National Cemetery Administration Memorial Benefits.
- Mental health counseling resources.
- Homeless, low-income housing and vocational support services.
- VA Mobile Vet Center (on-site).
- Vendors and services from community partners.
Veterans are encouraged to attend the clinic for assistance in VA health care enrollment under the now accelerated PACT Act. As of March 5th, the phase-in approach to the PACT Act has been eliminated by order of the US President. This now allows ALL Veterans who may have been exposed to toxins and other health hazards while either deployed or serving in the US or abroad to enroll in healthcare without having to first apply for benefits.
The VEAC claims clinic will be held at the National Guard Armory at 1225 Bluff Road, Columbia, SC 29201 on the following days and times:
- Thursday, March 21, 9AM-4PM
- Friday, March 22, 9AM-4PM
- Saturday, March 23, 9AM-2PM