OWCP News Release: [03/01/2017]
Contact Name: Amy Louviere Mandy Kraft
Phone Number: (202) 693-9423 (202) 693-4664
Email Address: louviere.amy@dol.gov kraft.amanda.c@dol.gov
Release Number: 17-0289-SAN

Town hall meetings for former, current Area IV workers at Ventura County’s Santa Susana Field Laboratory
Will discuss medical benefits, other assistance available under EEOICPA

WASHINGTON – Representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will host two town hall meetings in Central California in March to provide information to former and current workers at Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Ventura County and their survivors on available medical benefits, the claims process and status of existing claims.

The meetings will take place on in Simi Valley on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and in San Bernardino on March 16, 2017, to provide information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, the benefits the program provides and information regarding a new Special Exposure Cohort class. The new SEC may simplify the EEOICPA claims process for qualifying workers.

The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of exposure to radiation, beryllium, or silica while employed at covered facilities. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. Attendance is voluntary; the information presented at both meetings will be the same. Before and after the presentations, Seattle District Office and California Resource Center staff will be available to help individuals file new claims and provide those with existing claimants with status updates.

What:

Town Hall meetings for former, current workers at Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and their survivors on available medical benefits, the claims process and status of existing claims under the EEOICPA.

When:

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Where:

Best Western Posada Royale Hotel & Suites
1775 Madera Road
Simi Valley, CA 93065

Times:

10:30 a.m. PDT:
12:30 p.m. PDT:
9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. PDT:

Joint Outreach Task Group Presentation
EEOICPA Medical Benefits Presentation
Staff Availability

When:

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Where:

Hilton Garden Inn San Bernardino
1755 S. Waterman Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92408

Times:

10 a.m. PDT:
12 p.m. (noon) PDT:
9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PDT:

Joint Outreach Task Group Presentation
EEOICPA Medical Benefits Presentation
Staff Availability

Effective Feb. 5, 2017, the following class of workers was added to the SEC of the EEOICPA:

All employees of the U.S. Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and its contractors and subcontractors who worked at Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Ventura County.

Qualifying dates of employment: Jan. 1, 1965 through Dec. 31, 1988

A worker who is included in a designated SEC class and who was diagnosed with one of 22 specified cancers may qualify for a presumption of causation under the EEOICPA, making the claims process easier. Qualifying employees must have worked at least 250 days total, either solely under the above mentioned employment, or in combination with workdays within the parameters established for one or more classes of employees included in the SEC.

For additional information about this outreach event, the new SEC or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the department’s California Resource Center toll-free at 866-606-6302.

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