Officials In Arizona To Help Workers, Families Exposed To Nuclear Waste

By Holliday Moore
Published: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 9:03am

Arizonans exposed to radiation related to the nuclear weapons industry can find help applying for federal benefits at four meetings this week.

Americans who worked or lived in and around the nuclear weapons industry during the past 60-years are protected under the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.

But, an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity found that, although the programs have paid out more than $12 billion in health care and compensation since 2000, far more people who are eligible have never applied or gave up trying due to its complex application process.

In Arizona, tens of thousands of Native Americans are still eligible after working at or living near uranium mines with high levels of radiation over the past five decades.

The Department of Labor reports many of those workers, their spouses and children have not applied for their compensation or health care benefits yet, while others have not claimed their entire benefits.

This week, federal representatives are holding four informal meetings to help beneficiaries navigate the application process.

Meeting Times:

Tucson Sheraton Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road, Tucson 85712

  • Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m.

Tempe Embassy Suites Hotel, 4400 S. Rural Road, Tempe 85282

  • Thursday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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