Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC)
Black Lung Monthly Benefit Rates for 2013
Benefit rates are set in accordance with Section 412(a)(1) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, which specifies that the rate for an individual Black Lung beneficiary is 37.5% of the base salary of a Federal employee at level GS-2, Step 1. The monthly rates for Black Lung benefits have been unchanged since 2010 as a result of enactment of the Continuing Appropriations and Surface Transportation Extensions Act, which froze Federal employees' salary rates. In March 2013 the Congress passed and President Obama signed a continuing resolution to continue federal agency funding at the 2012 level through September 30, 2013. This means that federal salary rates were not changed, so black lung monthly benefit rates also remained unchanged.
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 rates are as follows:
Part-B BLACK LUNG MONTHLY BENEFIT RATES (claims originally approved by the Social Security Administration - payments received around the 3rd of each month)
Primary beneficiary |
$625.00 |
Primary beneficiary and one dependent |
$938.00 |
Primary beneficiary and two dependents |
$1,094.00 |
Primary beneficiary and three or more dependents |
$1,251.00 |
Part-C BLACK LUNG MONTHLY BENEFIT RATES (claims approved by the U.S. Department of Labor - payments received around the 15th of each month)
Primary beneficiary |
$625.60 |
Primary beneficiary and one dependent |
$938.30 |
Primary beneficiary and two dependents |
$1,094.70 |
Primary beneficiary and three or more dependents |
$1,251.10 |
However, if the beneficiary has received an award under another state or Federal workers' compensation program, the amount of the monthly benefit payment may be less than the rate shown above.
Please contact the appropriate U.S. Department of Labor Black Lung district office, if there are any questions concerning benefit rates or any other questions about Black Lung benefits.
