Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
(RECA)
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Originally passed in 1990, RECA was reauthorized and expanded in 2025 through December 31, 2028. The amendments broadened eligibility to cover additional uranium workers, remediation workers, and geographic areas, ensuring more families affected by radiation can receive support. Claims are processed by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a federal program that provides $100,000 in compensation to individuals, or their survivors, who developed serious illnesses from radiation exposure linked to U.S. nuclear weapons testing and uranium industry work. If you meet one of the following categories, you could be eligible for a RECA payment of $100,000.
1) Downwinders - $100,000
Lived in a covered area for at least 12 consecutive months during:
Jan 21, 1951 - Nov 6, 1962 (inclusive)
Jun 30, 1962 - Jul 31, 1962 (if only in residence during this period)
NM residents: Sep 24, 1944 - Nov 6, 1962 (12 months within this range)
Covered Areas:
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Nevada: Lander, Eureka, White Pine, Nye, parts of Clark County Utah, New Mexico & Idaho: All counties Arizona: Coconino, Apache, Gila, Yavapai, Navajo, all of Mohave County
Qualifying Illnesses:
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Primary cancers of: pharynx, thyroid, female breast, male breast, small intestine, pancreas, ovary, salivary gland, lung, esophagus, stomach, brain, urinary bladder, bile ducts, liver, colon, gall bladder
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Leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
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Multiple myeloma
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Non-Hodgkin lymphomas (excluding Hodgkin's disease)
2) Onsite Participants
Who Qualifies?
Present at/above a U.S. atmospheric nuclear test site or involved in post-detonation duties (e.g., decontamination, fallout monitoring) during a test
or within 6 months after.
Covered Sites:
Nevada Test Site, Trinity (NM), Pacific Test Sites (Bikini, Enewetak, Johnston, Christmas Island, Operation Wigwam, Hardtack I/Shot Yucca, Dominic I/Frigate Bird, Swordfish), South Atlantic Test Site (Operation Argus), designated shipyards/bases, fallout-monitoring locations.
Eligible Roles:
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Armed forces; civilian/contractor for MED, AFSWP, AEC, DOE, DOD, affiliated agencies; Federal Civil Defense; U.S. Public Health Service.
Qualifying Illnesses:
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Leukemia (excl. CLL), multiple myeloma, non- Hodgkin lymphoma, and primary cancers of: pharynx, thyroid, male/female breast, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, liver, lung, ovary.
3) Uranium Industry Workers - $100,000
Who is eligible?
Covers uranium miners, millers, are transporters, core drillers, and site remediation workers- individually or in combination-who worked in any covered role between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990.
Eligibility:
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Miners - At least 40 working-level months (WLMs) of exposure or 12 months in a covered mine before 1971.
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Millers, transporters, core drillers, remediation workers - At least 12 months in rale(s) during eligibility period. Combined work histories can count toward total service time.
Covered Illnesses:
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Lung cancer, Non-malignant respiratory diseases (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis, silicosis, pneumoconiosis, cor pulmonale), Renal cancers and chronic kidney diseases (nephritis, tubular injury)
Additional Benefits:
Eligible workers may also qualify for EEOICPA benefits from the Department of Labor, including an extra $50,000 plus impairment and wage-loss compensation.
Who Can File a RECA Claim?
Claims may be filed by:
1. The eligible individual (living claimant)
2. Surviving spouse (if no living individual)
3. Children of the eligible individual if no living spouse
4. Parent of living claimant if no living spouse or children
5. Grandchildren if no living parent, spouse or children
6. Grandparents