Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Grants, N.M., town hall meetings to assist nuclear weapons workers scheduled for June 18-20

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will host town hall meetings in New Mexico —on June 18 in Santa Fe, on June 19 in Albuquerque and on June 20 in Grants — to provide information about the medical benefits provided under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. At the town hall meetings, specific information will be discussed concerning home health care services and the Privacy Act. Staff from the department's traveling resource center will be available on each day to assist individuals with the filing of claims under the EEOICPA.

The department works with physicians who have enrolled with the program, home health care providers, and approved beneficiaries to ensure that the medical benefits afforded under the EEOICPA are handled in a fair and expeditious manner. The EEOICPA is administered by the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, part of the department's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

To date, $1 billion in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to more than 10,500 claimants living in New Mexico; more than $9.2 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming town hall meetings or to schedule an appointment for claims assistance, contact the department's Espanola Resource Center toll-free at 866-272-3622. These events 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.