US Department of Labor to assist current and former Pennsylvania nuclear weapons workers at traveling resource center in Kensington

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Labor representatives will host information sessions in Pennsylvania on July 22 in New Kensington to inform current and former nuclear weapons workers from 25 covered facilities in the state about the benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

Covered facilities include Aluminum Co. of America – Alcoa in New Kensington, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corp. in Apollo and Parks Township, Westinghouse Atomic Power Development Plant in East Pittsburgh, and Westinghouse Nuclear Fuels Division in Cheswick.

"These events are a great opportunity for nuclear weapons workers and their families to learn about the benefits that may be available," said Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Director Rachel P. Leiton. "We encourage all potentially eligible former and current nuclear weapons workers living in Pennsylvania who are interested in filing a claim or learning more to visit the traveling resource center or contact our New York office."

Administered by the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, the program is part of the department's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. It provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to current and former nuclear weapons workers whose illness is the result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits.

To date, 1,013 claimants in Pennsylvania have received $111.1 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits. Nationwide, claimants have been paid $11.6 billion.

Staff from DEEOIC's Cleveland district office and New York resource center will be on hand at the traveling resource center to help individuals file new EEOCIPA claims and to provide the status of existing claims.

On July 31, 2001, the department began administering Part B of the EEOICPA. Part B covers current and former workers diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease or silicosis, whose exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica caused their illness while working directly for the U.S. Department of Energy, that department's contractors or subcontractors, a designated Atomic Weapons Employer or a beryllium vendor.

Created by an Oct. 28, 2004 amendment to EEOICPA, Part E provides federal compensation and medical benefits to Department of Energy contractors and subcontractors who worked at a covered facility and sustained an illness because of exposure to toxic substances.

DEEOIC established 11 stationary resource centers nationwide to assist workers and their families who are applying for benefits under the EEOICPA. DEEOIC's traveling resource center brings these services to individuals who need assistance to file a claim. This traveling resource center is open to the public, and pre-registration is not required. Services are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Meeting Location: Clarion Hotel 300 Tarentum Bridge Rd. New Kensington, PA 15068

Date and Times: Wednesday, July 22 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT

For additional information or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the New York Resource Center at 800-941-3943.

Covered facilities in Pennsylvania:

A searchable list of covered facilities is available at https://ehss.energy.gov/Search/Facility/findfacility.aspx.