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What is the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act? (RECA)

Picture of Trusted Ally Staff Trusted Ally Staff : Mar 4, 2024 3:56:52 PM

RECA EEOICPA & RECA

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RECA Benefits Explained

RECA = Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

RECA is a federal compensation program for certain people who became sick due to radiation exposure connected to:
- Atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, and/or
- Uranium industry employment

RECA is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Under RECA, the Attorney General has authority to set procedures and determine whether claims meet eligibility requirements.

Update (important date)

July 3, 2025: RECA was extended and expanded. The information on this page reflects those updated parameters with a focus on uranium industry employment.

Who may qualify for RECA compensation?

People may qualify if they meet rules for category, location, dates, and medical condition. Common RECA categories include:

RECA can cover certain uranium industry employment between 1942 and 1990 in designated Uranium Worker States.
- Uranium miners
- Uranium millers
- Ore transporters
- Core drillers (included in the 2025 expansion)
- Remediation workers (included in the 2025 expansion)

Does RECA cover healthcare costs?

No. RECA provides lump-sum compensation and does not cover healthcare costs by itself.
However, some people approved for RECA compensation may also qualify for additional tax-free compensation and free home healthcare under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) often referred to as the EEOICPA White Card Program, depending on their situation.
This is where Trusted Ally Home Care can step in and guide you through a Pathway to Care.

What medical issues have been added in the RECA expansion?

Kidney dysfunction because some uranium workers experience chronic kidney disease and other renal impairments. Until the 2025 expansion, these programs focused mainly on lung diseases and certain cancers. But uranium exposure doesn’t just harm the lungs, it also impacts the kidneys, the body's natural filters. Uranium is nephrotoxic: It accumulates in the kidneys, where it causes damage to tissues, tubules and filtration functions.

How much compensation can uranium workers receive?

Uranium miners, millers, ore transporters, core drillers, and remediation workers who are approved for RECA compensation can expect the following amounts depending on approved conditions.

$100,000 tax-free lump-sum payment from the DOJ through RECA
$50,000 tax-free lump-sum payment from the DOL through Part B of EEOICPA
Up to $250,000 tax-free lump-sum payment from the DOL through Part E of EEOICPA
Total potential is up to $400,000 tax-free compensation (depending on approved conditions)

Free RECA medical screenings

RECA claimants may qualify for free medical screenings through RESEP (Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program) clinics located in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah which can help in getting RECA claims approved.

Official source: RESEP (Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program)

RECA timeline key dates

October 5, 1990: RECA was passed and signed into law.
July 10, 2000: RECA Amendments of 2000 broadened scope and coverage.
June 7, 2022: RECA Extension Act of 2022 extended the trust fund and filing deadline until June 10, 2024.
June 10, 2024: RECA expired.
July 3, 2025: RECA was extended and expanded (as stated on this page).
December 31, 2028: RECA is set to expire.

Uranium Worker States

Current uranium worker states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Does RECA actually pay claims?

Yes, and as of March 2026, close to $1 billion has been paid in total compensation to uranium workers.

Does EEOICPA actually pay claims?

Yes, and as of December 2024, over $27 billion has been paid in total settlements and medical bills paid.

Official sources

Your pathway to care starts with Trusted Ally Home Care. Get started today and let us guide you through the process of receiving the care you or a loved one deserves.

FAQ: RECA Benefits (Radiation Exposure Compensation Act)

Q: What is RECA?
A: RECA is the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, a federal program that can pay a tax-free lump-sum payment to certain people who became sick from radiation exposure connected to atmospheric nuclear weapons testing and/or uranium industry work.

Q: What’s the latest update to RECA?
A: RECA was extended and expanded on July 3, 2025. This update broadened eligibility (including categories and areas described on this page). If you were told RECA “expired,” that was true on June 10, 2024, but the program was later renewed and expanded effective July 3, 2025.

Q: Who runs RECA claims?
A: RECA is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Q: Who may qualify for RECA?
A: People may qualify if they meet RECA rules for category, location, dates, and medical condition. Common qualifying groups include uranium industry workers (such as miners, millers, ore transporters, core drillers, and remediation workers), certain Onsite Participants (people present for atmospheric nuclear tests), and certain Downwinders or residents of other covered areas (as defined by RECA).

Q: Does RECA pay for medical care?
A: No. RECA generally provides a lump-sum compensation payment and does not pay medical bills by itself. However, some people who qualify for RECA may also qualify for additional benefits under EEOICPA, often referred to as the EEOICPA White Card Program, depending on the details of their work history and claim.

Q: How much compensation can uranium workers receive?
A: Uranium miners, millers, ore transporters, core drillers, and remediation workers who are approved for RECA compensation can expect the following amounts depending on approved conditions. $100,000 tax-free lump-sum payment from the DOJ through RECA; $50,000 tax-free lump-sum payment from the DOL through Part B of EEOICPA; Up to $250,000 tax-free lump-sum payment from the DOL through Part E of EEOICPA; Total potential is up to $400,000 tax-free compensation (depending on approved conditions).

Q: What is RESEP and why does it matter?
A: RESEP stands for the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program. RESEP clinics can provide medical screenings (as described on this page), which may help people identify conditions and gather medical documentation.

Q: When does RECA expire?
A: RECA is set to expire on December 31, 2028.