WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Labor (DOL) will have representatives on hand at a Traveling Resource Center to provide information and assist individuals in filing claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).  This event will be held at the Best Western Motor Inn, 3001 Winegard Drive on August 26, 27, and 28, 2003, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

“We are doing all we can to find workers or their families who may be eligible for assistance under this program,” said Beverly Cook, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety and Health.   “These men and women performed an important service for their country, and we want them to receive the benefits they deserve.”

The EEOICPA statute, enacted in 2000, provides assistance to workers (or their survivors) who worked for DOE, its predecessor agencies (Atomic Energy Commission), or private firms who produced or processed radioactive material as part of the Atomic Weapons Program.   DOL administers the portion of the program that provides up to $150,000 and payment of medical expenses for employees or their qualified survivors who became ill by their exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica at covered nuclear weapons facilities.  The conditions covered under DOL’s portion of the program are cancers caused by radiation, diseases caused by exposure to the metal beryllium, and chronic silicosis caused by exposure to silica during mining operations.

DOE administers the portion of the program that provides assistance to its contractor employees who have any occupational illness related to toxic exposures at the DOE workplace.   Such diseases could include cancer, lung diseases including asbestosis, and all other work-related illnesses.  Under this program, DOE helps workers or their survivors apply for state workers’ compensation benefits. DOE assists workers if it is determined by a physician’s panel that the worker sustained an illness caused by exposure to a toxic substance at a DOE facility.  Benefits for successful claimants vary from state to state, but are generally a portion of lost wages plus reimbursement of medical costs.

The state of Iowa is home to four former DOE facilities or private firms who produced or processed radioactive material as part of the Atomic Weapons Program, including the former Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, the Ames Laboratory, Bendix Aviation (Pioneer Division) in Davenport, and Titus Metals in Waterloo.  Iowa residents who performed atomic weapons work at other facilities around the county are also welcome to visit the Traveling Resource Center.  A complete list is at http://www.hss.energy.gov/healthsafety/fwsp/advocacy/.

Current or former workers or family members who need help filling out claim forms can schedule appointments at the Traveling Resource Center by calling, toll-free (866) 540-4977.  Drop-in visitors without appointments are also welcome.  Claimants who have already applied do not need to call or visit the center. More information can be found at http://www.hss.energy.gov/healthsafety/fwsp/advocacy/.

Media Contact(s):
Dolline Hatchett, 202/586-5806