Assistance available for nuclear weapons workers in Western New York

Event: U.S. Department of Labor representatives will be available in two sessions in Niagara Falls, New York, on Dec. 2, 2015, to assist former nuclear weapons workers with the filing of new claims and provide status updates on existing claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Cleveland District Office staff will provide information about the EEOICPA, the medical benefits available under the program, and the new Special Exposure Cohort that gives former Hooker Electrochemical Corp. workers easier access to compensation.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. EST

Where: The Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls 7001 Buffalo Ave. Niagara Falls, NY 14304

About EEOICPA: The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees whose work in the nuclear weapons industry made them ill. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. Former Hooker Electrochemical Corp. workers may qualify for a presumption of causation under the EEOICPA if they are included in a designated Special Exposure Cohort class of employees, and were diagnosed with one of 22 specified cancers. The qualifying dates of employment for the Hooker Electrochemical Corp. Special Exposure Cohort class are July 1, 1944 through Dec. 31, 1948. Employees must have worked at least 250 days total, either solely under this employment, or in combination with workdays within the parameters established for one or more classes of employees included in the Special Exposure Cohort.

To date, $429.1 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 4,897 New York claimants, while more than $11.9 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the traveling resource center or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the U.S. Department of Labor's New York Resource Center at 800-941-3943.