News Release: US Department of Labor brings traveling resource centers to Casper and Riverton, Wyoming, to assist nuclear weapons workers [03/04/2015]

OWCP News Release: [03/04/2015]
Contact Name: Ann Mangold Laura McGinnis
Phone Number: (202) 693-4679 (202) 693-4653
Email Address: mangold.ann.r@dol.gov mcginnis.laura.k@dol.gov
Release Number: 15-0363-SAN

US Department of Labor brings traveling resource centers to Casper and Riverton, Wyoming, to assist nuclear weapons workers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will bring its traveling resource center to Casper, Wyoming, on March 10 and to Riverton, Wyoming, on March 11, to inform the public about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and the program’s medical benefits. Staff from the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation’s Denver district office and Denver resource center will be on-hand to assist individuals with the filing of new claims under the EEOICPA and provide claimants with status updates on their existing EEOICPA claims.

Administered by DEEOIC, the EEOICPA, part of the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to workers whose illnesses are the result of working in the nuclear weapons and uranium mining industries. DEEOIC established 11 stationary resource centers nationwide to assist workers and their families with applying for benefits under the EEOICPA. DEEOIC’s traveling resource center takes these services on the road to assist workers in the EEOICPA claim-filing process.

The mission of the EEOICPA includes delivering 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 in the amount 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 under Part E of the EEOICPA.

To date, $26.9 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 309 claimants living in Wyoming, while more than $11.2 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming traveling resource centers or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the Denver resource center toll free at 866-540-4977. These 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.

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