OWCP News Release: [10/27/2014]
Contact Name: Ann Mangold Juan Rodriguez
Phone Number: (202) 693-4679 (972) 850-4709
Email Address: mangold.ann.r@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov
Release Number: 14-2009-DAL

US Labor Department to host traveling resource centers in New Mexico to assist nuclear weapons workers
Centers to be located in Albuquerque and Los Alamos in November

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host two traveling resource centers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and four traveling resource centers in Los Alamos, New Mexico, in November to notify current and former nuclear weapons employees who worked at 18 covered facilities in New Mexico about the benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Staff from the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation’s Espanola resource center will be available at the traveling resource centers to assist individuals with the filing of new claims under the EEOICPA.

The EEOICPA, which is administered by DEEOIC, part of the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to current and former nuclear weapons workers. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. DEEOIC established 11 stationary resource centers nationwide to assist workers and their families with applying for benefits under the EEOICPA. DEEOIC’s traveling resource centers takes these services on the road to assist workers in the EEOICPA claim-filing process.

On July 31, 2001, the Labor Department began administering Part B of the EEOICPA. Part B covers current and former workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease or silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working directly for the U.S. Department of Energy, an Energy Department contractor or subcontractor, a designated Atomic Weapons Employer or a beryllium vendor. Part E, created by an amendment to the EEOICPA on Oct. 28, 2004, provides federal compensation and medical benefits to Energy Department contractors and subcontractors who worked at covered facilities and sustained an illness because of exposure to toxic substances.

Covered facilities in New Mexico include: Accurate Machine & Tool, Albuquerque; Albuquerque Operations Office, Albuquerque; Chupadera Mesa, Chupadera Mesa; Hangar 481, Albuquerque; Kirtland Operations Office, Albuquerque; Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos; Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos; Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque; Ore Buying Station at Grants, NM, Grants; Ore Buying Station at Shiprock, Shiprock; Project Gasbuggy Nuclear Explosion Site, Farmington; Project Gnome Nuclear Explosion Site, Carlsbad; Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque; South Albuquerque Works, Albuquerque; Trinity Nuclear Explosion Site, White Sands Missile Range; Uranium Mill at Shiprock, Shiprock; Uranium Mill in Ambrosia Lake, Ambrosia Lake; and Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Carlsbad. A searchable list of covered facilities is available at https://hsspublic.energy.gov/search/facility/findfacility.aspx.

To date, $1.38 billion in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 12,463 claimants living in New Mexico. More than $10.9 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 Espanola resource center toll free at 866-272-3622. All walk-ins are welcomed; however, scheduling an appointment time is recommended so that appropriate time and assistance can be provided.

Albuquerque traveling resource center details:

Dates:
Times:
Location:

Thursday, Nov. 13 and Nov. 20
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Hall (IBEW Local Union 611)
4921 Alexander Blvd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Los Alamos traveling resource center details:

Dates:
Times:
Location:

Monday, Nov. 3, Nov. 10, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24
8 a.m. to noon MST
Ombuds Program Office
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Central Park Square, Suite 114
Los Alamos, NM 87566

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