A town hall meeting will be held in Hickory this Saturday (August 5) to help veterans understand the effects of military toxic exposure and disability benefits associated with the PACT Act. The meeting will be held at C.V.C.C.’s Workforce Solutions Complex with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The PACT Act, which was signed into law last August, expands Veterans Affairs health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. There is no deadline to apply for PACT Act benefits, but Veterans must file their PACT Act claims by August 9 to be eligible for backdated benefits.

Staffers with the Veterans Benefits Administration will be present at Saturday’s event to assist with filing claims. County and state Veteran service officers will also be on hand to assist. Information tables from various Veteran organizations will be on-site. Presenters from the Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Winston-Salem Veterans Affairs Regional Office are scheduled to speak. The presentations will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The Workforce Solutions Complex is located at 2550 U.S. Highway 70 S.E. in Hickory. For more information, email Jim Battcher at battchersr@charter.net.