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ESA News Release: [10/25/2005]
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Contact Name: Dolline Hatchett
Phone Number: (202) 693-4650
Release Number: 05-2005-DEN
Labor Department Hosts Town Hall Meeting in Grand Junction, Colo. to Provide Information on Compensation Benefits for Uranium Workers
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — U.S. Labor Department officials will host a town hall meeting November 9 in Grand Junction, Colo. to explain changes to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) that affect uranium workers.
Recent EEOICPA amendments created Part E that provides federal compensation and medical benefits to contractors and subcontractors of the Department of Energy (DOE) who worked at certain DOE facilities and sustained a covered illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances. Certain survivors of these workers are also eligible for benefits. The new law also provides compensation for uranium workers who worked at facilities covered by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and survivors of covered employees.
Congress mandated that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issue regulations governing implementation of Part E. To speed the start-up of the new program prior to issuing those regulations, DOL identified and compensated certain survivors payable under preliminary procedures issued in December 2004.
To date, more than $207 million has been paid to 1,627 recipients under the new program. With the May 26 release of the interim final rule, DOL is now able to undertake benefit analysis for complex claims, including wage loss and impairment evaluations.
Workers or survivors of workers who need assistance filling out claim forms may schedule appointments following the town hall meeting or may call toll-free, (866) 540-4977.
DATE & TIME:
November 9, 2005, at 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Country Inns of America
718 Horizon Drive
Grand Junction, Colo.
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