US Labor Department hosts two town hall meetings in Carlsbad to assist nuclear weapons workers with benefits

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will host two town hall meetings on Feb. 25 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to inform current and former nuclear weapons workers, including those employed at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, about the benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Survivors of qualified workers may be entitled to benefits also. The EEOICPA is administered by the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, part of the Labor Department's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.

The Joint Outreach Task Group, of which DEEOIC is a member, will host the meetings. DEEOIC staff will present an overview of Parts B and E of the EEOICPA. Representatives from other groups, including the U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Workers Medical Screening Program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Ombudsman to NIOSH for the EEOICPA, and the Labor Department's Office of the Ombudsman for the EEOICPA, will also be presenting information. An audience question-and-answer session will follow.

Additionally, representatives for DEEOIC's Seattle district office and Espanola resource center will be available before and after each of the meetings to assist individuals with the filing of new claims under the EEOICPA, and to provide claimants with status updates on their existing claims.

The Labor Department began administering Part B of the EEOICPA on July 31, 2001. Part B covers current or former workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working directly for the Department of Energy, its contractors or subcontractors, 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 Department of Energy contractor and subcontractor employees who worked at covered facilities and sustained an illness because of exposure to toxic substances.

To date, $1.4 billion in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 12,586 claimants living in New Mexico, while more than $11.1 billion has been paid nationwide. For more information about the upcoming town hall meetings or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the Espanola resource center toll free at 866-272-3622. 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.

MEETING LOCATION: Pecos River Village Conference Center 711 Muscatel Ave. Carlsbad, NM 88220

PRESENTATION DATE & TIMES: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. MST