EEOICPA Resources
Everything you need to know about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act
Understanding the EEOICPA
What is the EEOICPA?
The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) is a federal program established in 2000 to provide compensation and medical benefits to employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), its contractors and subcontractors, who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry.
The program is administered by the Department of Labor (DOL) and provides compensation and medical benefits to eligible employees and former employees or their survivors.
EEOICPA Parts
Part B
Part B provides a lump-sum payment of $150,000 and medical benefits to current and former workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease, or silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium, or silica while working for the DOE, its contractors or subcontractors.
Covered Conditions Under Part B:
- Cancers related to radiation exposure
- Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD)
- Chronic Silicosis
Part E
Part E provides compensation up to $250,000 based on wage loss, impairment, and survivor benefits for DOE contractor and subcontractor employees whose illness or death was caused by exposure to any toxic substance at a covered DOE facility.
Covered Under Part E:
- Any illness linked to toxic exposure at DOE facilities
- Impairment benefits based on percentage of whole-body impairment
- Wage loss benefits for years unable to work
Special Exposure Cohort (SEC)
The Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) is a designation that allows eligible claimants to receive compensation without having to go through the dose reconstruction process to establish a probability of causation between their cancer and radiation exposure.
To qualify under an SEC, an employee must have:
- Worked at one of the designated SEC facilities during the specified time period
- Worked for a total of at least 250 days at the SEC facility
- Been diagnosed with one of the 22 specified cancers
SEC status significantly streamlines the claims process and increases the likelihood of approval for eligible workers.
The Claims Process
- 1
File a Claim
Submit Form EE-1 (employee) or EE-2 (survivor) to the DOL along with supporting documentation.
- 2
Initial Development
DOL verifies employment history and gathers medical evidence.
- 3
Dose Reconstruction (if needed)
For radiation-related cancers not covered by an SEC, NIOSH performs a dose reconstruction to determine probability of causation.
- 4
Recommended Decision
Claims Examiner issues a recommended decision to accept or deny the claim.
- 5
Final Decision
The Final Adjudication Branch reviews the recommended decision and issues a final decision.
- 6
Payment and Benefits
If approved, compensation is paid and medical benefits card is issued (if applicable).
Helpful Resources
Download these guides to learn more about the EEOICPA
EEOICPA Claim Filing Guide
A step-by-step guide to filing your EEOICPA claim, including required forms and documentation.
Facility Exposure Guide
Information about common toxic exposures at major DOE facilities and associated health conditions.
Common Questions Answered
Detailed answers to the most common questions about EEOICPA eligibility, benefits, and the claims process.