Federal Compensation Programs
RECA Programs & Eligibility Categories
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act provides financial compensation to individuals or surviving families who developed specific serious illnesses after exposure to government nuclear activities.
Downwinders
For individuals who lived in designated counties and states downwind of the Nevada Test Site during atmospheric nuclear tests.
On-Site Participants
For military service members, civilian technicians, and observers who participated on-site during atmospheric nuclear tests.
Uranium Workers
For individuals who worked in uranium mines, uranium processing mills, or hauled uranium ore between 1942 and 1971.
Manhattan Transfer Waste
Or reimbursement of medical expenses for residents exposed to radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project.
1. Downwinders Program ($100,000)
Between 1951 and 1962, the U.S. government conducted approximately 100 above-ground nuclear weapons tests at the Nevada Test Site. Radioactive fallout drifted across neighboring communities.
Covered Residency Guidelines
A claimant must have been physically present in a covered area for at least one continuous year between January 21, 1951 and November 6, 1962, OR for the entire month of July 1962 (June 30 to July 31, 1962). For New Mexico, presence qualifies beginning September 24, 1944.
| Statewide | Utah, New Mexico, Idaho (Entire states covered) |
|---|---|
| Arizona | Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, Yavapai counties |
| Nevada | Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, and designated portions of Clark County |
Covered Illnesses: Leukemia (except CLL), Multiple Myeloma, Lymphomas, Breast Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, Lung Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Colon Cancer, Brain Cancer, Urinary Bladder, Pancreas, Ovary, and other primary malignancies.
2. On-Site Participants ($100,000)
Veterans and civilian workers who were stationed or present at nuclear detonations are eligible for federal compensation if they developed a covered cancer.
This includes atmospheric nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site, Pacific test sites (Operation Crossroads, Ivy, Castle, Redwing, Hardtack), and related military maneuvers.
3. Uranium Miners, Millers & Ore Transporters ($100,000)
Uranium workers were exposed to heavy radon progeny and radioactive dust. Unlike other programs, coverage is not restricted to cancer.
Covered Non-Cancer & Cancer Illnesses
Primary Lung Cancer, Silicosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Pneumoconiosis, Cor Pulmonale, Renal (Kidney) Cancer, and Chronic Renal Disease (including nephritis).
4. Manhattan Transfer Waste Claims ($50,000 or Medical Expenses)
Communities situated near Manhattan Project uranium and thorium processing and storage facilities qualify for lump-sum compensation or reimbursement of related medical costs.
Fees
What will it cost to process my claim?
Our fees are regulated by the U.S. Department of Justice, and we do not collect our fee until your claim has been approved and paid.
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New Claims: For new RECA claims, our fee is 2% of the total compensation awarded.
Example: For a Downwinder claim awarded $100,000, our fee is $2,000. - Resubmitted Claims: If we are resubmitting a previously denied claim, the fee is 10% of the compensation awarded.
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Administrative Fees:
- A $400 per claimant administrative processing fee is charged to help cover costs incurred throughout the claims process. This fee is paid upon completion of the claim.
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Document Retrieval Fees:
We obtain necessary documentation—such as medical records, presence documents, and vital records—on your behalf. These are billed per document, but payment is not due until the claim has been processed.