U.S. Department of Labor Offers Benefits Information for Current, Former Nuclear Weapons Workers, and Enrolled Medical Providers in New Mexico

SANTA FE, NM – Representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will host two presentations in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Thursday, February 27, 2020

The first presentation will review benefits available to current and former nuclear weapons workers and their families employed at covered facilities (including uranium mines). The second presentation will educate medical providers on services provided under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. 

The department’s presentations include discussions on Claim Adjudication, Final Rule, Wage Loss, Impairment, Medical Benefits, Durable Medical Equipment, Home Healthcare and requests for Vehicle or Housing Modifications. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Worker Program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the U.S. Department of Justice and the department’s Offices of the Ombudsman will also speak.

WHAT: 
Outreach event on benefits for qualifying nuclear weapons workers and their families, as well as medical providers.

WHERE:
The Lodge at Santa Fe
50 N. St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87501

WHEN:
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Presentation for:
Claimants/Authorized Representatives:  9:00 a.m. MST
Medical Providers: 1:00 p.m. MST
Staff availability:9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MST /  2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. MST       

WHO:
Medical providers
Current/former employees of Los Alamos or any facility involved in nuclear weapons production                

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to current and former workers whose illness results from working at a covered facility or uranium mine involved in nuclear weapons production. Covered illnesses include radiation-induced cancer, chronic beryllium disease, beryllium sensitivity, chronic silicosis and illness due to toxic substance exposure. Survivors of eligible employees may also be entitled to compensation.

Eligible claimants have received more than $17.2 billion in compensation and medical benefits. For more information about this event or for help filing a claim, call the Espanola Resource Center toll-free at 866-272-3622 or find a resource center near you.

The department is a member of the Joint Outreach Task Group, which also includes the U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Worker Program, NIOSH, and the Offices of the Ombudsman for both the department and NIOSH. The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.