There are two claims compensation programs in the United States that very few people know about but which are critically important to those who qualify for them. Both are congressionally-inforced and provide monetary compensation for workers who have contracted occupational illnesses while working for the US Department of Energy (DOE), its contractors, and its subcontractors. These two acts, the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act (EEOICPA) and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), provide provisions for those who have radiation-induced cancers or chronic respiratory diseases due to their employment. Both individual workers or their surviving family members are eligible for filing for EEOICPA and RECA benefits, so see how you can apply if you meet these criteria.
Filing an EEOICPA or RECA Claim
When taking the first step to filing a claim with either compensation program, it will be critical that you gather all of the doctor’s report, diagnoses of the qualifying cancer or respiratory disease, and other medical evidence that demonstrates that your illness was indeed caused by your employment with the DOE or any of its contracted businesses. The list of cancers and respiratory illness is specific, so only those who have these illnesses and can prove they were caused by their line of work will be granted compensation and free medical benefits for the rest of their lives.
The worker or surviving family member must also provide the government with documents that demonstrate real employment. This can be done by collecting any series of pay stubs, tax return information, or employee records that show the qualifying individual indeed worked for the DOE. The more documentation on this matter, the better.
Filing Your Claim
Those ready to file a RECA and/or EEOICPA claim may do so in the mail through paper registration, over the phone with a representative, or online for ease of access. If you or a family member qualifies for these benefits, make sure to take advantage of the congressional acts that can help your family monetarily and with his or her medical expenses.