News Release: US Department of Labor to host town hall meetings in Shiprock, New Mexico, on Dec. 9-10, 2014, to assist nuclear weapons workers [12/04/2014]

OWCP News Release: [12/04/2014]
Contact Name: Ann Mangold Jesse Lawder
Phone Number: (202) 693-4679 (202) 693-4659
Email Address: mangold.ann.r@dol.gov lawder.jesse@dol.gov
Release Number: 14-2204-DAL

US Department of Labor to host town hall meetings in Shiprock, New Mexico, on Dec. 9-10, 2014, to assist nuclear weapons workers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host two town hall meetings on Tuesday, Dec. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Shiprock, New Mexico, to provide the public with information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and benefits available under the program. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons and uranium mining industries.

Staff members from the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation’s Denver District Office, part of the department’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, will present an overview of the EEOICPA. They will also discuss specific information concerning home health care services and how to serve EEOICPA claimants better. DEEOIC staff and representatives of the Espanola Resource Center will be available before and after each presentation to assist individuals with filing new claims under the EEOICPA and to provide claimants with status updates on their existing claims.

The EEOICPA delivers benefits to certain Section 5 uranium workers covered under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Uranium workers who received a $100,000 award under Section 5 of RECA are eligible to receive an additional lump sum compensation award of $50,000 and medical benefits under Part B of the EEOICPA for the same illness. Uranium workers who developed an illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances while working at a Section 5 RECA facility may also be eligible for federal compensation and medical benefits.

To date, $1.4 billion in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 12,556 claimants living in New Mexico, while more than $11 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming meetings, or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the Espanola Resource Center toll-free at 866-272-3622. The meetings are open to the public, and pre-registration is not required. Space is limited and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

###