If you or your family has suffered diseases such as cancer from exposure to radiation during nuclear testing in Nevada, you should know about the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which has been extended for another two years.
On June 7, 2022, the President approved the RECA Extension Act of 2022, which prolongs the closure of the RECA Trust Fund and the submission cutoff for all claims by two years from the day it became law. Any filing that bears the date of June 10, 2024, is considered timely filed upon receipt by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program.
Let’s learn more about this program and how you can find out if you are eligible for the tax-free compensation.
The Nevada Test Site: Radiation Exposure
The Nevada Test Site (NTS) was established in December 1950 by President Truman as the primary on-continent nuclear weapons testing area. Between 1951 and 1992, a total of 1021 nuclear detonations took place at the Nevada Test Site. Of these, 100 were above-ground atmospheric explosions, with the remaining 921 being underground tests.
The last underground nuclear test, codenamed “Divider,” was conducted on September 23, 1992, marking the end of an era of extensive nuclear testing at the site. The history of nuclear testing in Nevada has raised concerns about the impact of radioactive fallout on nearby communities, commonly referred to as “downwinders,” due to the potential health risks associated with radiation exposure.
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a federal statute enacted in 1990 that establishes a program to provide one-time cash payments to individuals who have developed certain cancers and other diseases as a result of exposure to radiation from atmospheric nuclear testing or employment in the uranium industry. The Act aims to compensate those who have suffered adverse health effects due to their involvement in atomic weapons testing or uranium mining activities.
The program includes provisions for compassionate payments to affected individuals or their surviving family members. The program provides a one-time payment of $50,000 tax-free for those who have contracted covered cancers as a result of exposure to nuclear weapons.
Additionally, it encompasses the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP), which was established to offer outreach, education, and medical services to individuals affected by radiation exposure.
Am I Eligible for Compensation?
If you or a deceased family member has been diagnosed with a covered cancer in the last 65 years and have lived in a coverage area for a period of two years between January 21, 1951, and October 31, 1958, and during the month of July 1962, you may be eligible for compensation.
Covered cancers include:
- Thyroid Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Salivary Gland Cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Pancreas Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Lymphoma
- Nasopharynx Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma
- Lung Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Leukemia
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Esophagus Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Brain Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Bile Duct Cancer
Coverage areas in Arizona include:
- Apache
- Coconino
- Gila
- Navajo
- Yavapai
Coverage areas in Nevada include:
- Eureka
- Lander
- Lincoln
- Nye
- White Pine
- Northeastern portion of Clark
Coverage areas in Utah include:
- Beaver
- Garfield
- Iron
- Kane
- Millard
- Piute
- San Juan, Sevier
- Washington
- Wayne
How Can the Compensation Act Aid Downwinders?
The money provided through compensation programs, such as the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), can aid downwinders in nuclear testing in various ways:
- Medical Expenses – Compensation can help cover the costs of medical treatment and care for individuals suffering from health issues related to radiation exposure.
- Quality of Life – Financial support can improve the quality of life for downwinders by easing the burden of medical bills and allowing them to access necessary resources for physical and mental well-being.
- Counseling and Support Services – Compensation funds can be utilized to seek counseling and support services, addressing the emotional and psychological impact of health challenges stemming from radiation exposure.
- Financial Security – The compensation provides a degree of financial security for affected individuals and their families, especially for those who may have faced economic hardship due to health-related limitations.
How Cancer Benefits Center for Downwinders Can Help You File Your Claim
Compensation is provided to claimants by the Federal Government. What Downwinders Cancer Benefits Center can do is help you file your claim for compensation.
- We will help determine your eligibility for receiving a one-time Downwinders Claim of $50,000.
- Our document preparation department will guide and assist you with document preparation throughout the claim process.
- Our research department can help you with any special documents you may need to complete the requirements for your claim.
- Our investigative branch will get involved if the research department is unable to obtain any special documents necessary for filing a claim.
- Our friendly staff of professionals will work hard to help you claim your benefits as quickly as possible.
Our call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our friendly staff is pleased to help you at your convenience and guarantees you will be treated with dignity and respect. You may reach us at +1 (855) 631-7197 or fill out our Downwinders application form to contact us.
Downwinders® Claims