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The Energy Employees Occupational Illness compensation Program Act, also known more commonly by its acronym (EEOICPA), is a congressionally-instituted program that compensates Department of Energy (DOE), contractor, and subcontractor workers who have developed an illness due to their employment. The specific illnesses are cancers related to radiologic exposure and chronic bronchial or lung diseases, and those diagnosed or surviving family members who have had family members die because of these illnesses are entitled to government compensation. EEOCIPA extends the benefits of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), so anyone with RECA benefits also qualifies for EEOICPA benefits. Find out more about these benefits and what they could mean for you and your family.

 

EEOICPA Benefits and What They Mean for You

There are compensation benefits awarded to those who have developed specific cancers and other chronic respiratory illnesses. The benefits come in two parts:

1. Part B: The beneficiaries receive a lump-sum compensation amount of $150 thousand and full coverage of medical conditions. If the disease is also covered under RECA, the worker may receive an additional $50 thousand.

2. Part E: Other eligible illnesses qualify for $250 thousand in addition to medical expense coverage.

Both of these apply to both 1) workers who have contracted the EEOICPA-specified diseases or 2) surviving family members of workers who have passed away because of these illnesses.

 

Who Is Considered a RECA Beneficiary

RECA is a compensation program specifically for those workers who were directly exposed to mining uranium, a heavy metal known for causing severe radiologic cancer. There are three types of compensation that are awarded to people who qualify for RECA.

1. $100,000: This is afforded to a worker or a surviving family member of a worker who was a uranium miller, miner, or ore transporter.

2. $75,000: This is awarded to onsite uranium nuclear weapons workers.

3. $50,000: This amount is given to anyone living in the areas of Nevada or Southern Utah that were downwind of uranium mining.

 

Consult an EEOICPA or RECA resource center near you for more information about compensation and to inquire about your qualifications for these benefits.