EEOICPA: A Complete Guide for Nuclear Workers and Survivors
Everything you need to know about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act — eligibility, benefits, and how to file your claim.
Nuclear Advocates is a private advocacy and claims-support service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, or any federal agency. Eligibility and benefit decisions are made by the appropriate federal program.
Nuclear Advocates is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Our services are focused on claim guidance, document support, eligibility review, and advocacy assistance. If legal advice is needed, claimants should consult a licensed attorney.
We cannot guarantee approval, compensation, medical benefits, White Card approval, survivor benefits, or any specific claim outcome. What we can promise is clear guidance, careful review, and dedicated support throughout the process. Submitting a form or contacting us does not create a representative relationship — any paid services require a written agreement.
The Federal Compensation Program for Nuclear Workers
The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) is a federal law enacted in 2000 that provides compensation and medical benefits to current and former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), its contractors, and subcontractors who became ill as a result of their work in the nuclear weapons industry.
Millions of workers across the United States spent decades building and maintaining our nation's nuclear defense infrastructure. Many were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, beryllium, silica, and other toxic substances without adequate protection or warning. EEOICPA was created to acknowledge this sacrifice and ensure that affected workers and their families receive the financial and medical support they deserve.
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and is divided into two main parts: Part B and Part E. Each part covers different types of illnesses and provides different categories of benefits. Understanding the distinction between these two parts can help you identify which program may apply to your situation and what documentation may be needed.
Nuclear Advocates helps former nuclear weapons workers and their surviving family members navigate every step of the EEOICPA process — from initial eligibility review through claim preparation and ongoing medical benefit questions. We are an independent advocacy resource, not a government agency, and we do not guarantee claim approval or benefits. Our role is to help you understand the process, organize your documentation, and pursue the right next step with clarity and confidence.
Part B and Part E Explained
EEOICPA Part B
Part B provides a lump-sum payment of $150,000 plus medical benefits for covered workers diagnosed with certain radiogenic cancers, chronic beryllium disease, beryllium sensitization, or chronic silicosis. Covered employees include DOE employees, DOE contractors and subcontractors, Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE) employees, beryllium vendor employees, and qualifying RECA Section 5 recipients. Eligibility requires verified employment at a covered facility and a confirmed diagnosis of a covered condition. The Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) designation at certain facilities allows workers to qualify without the burden of proving radiation causation — demonstrating the diagnosis and qualifying employment history is sufficient.
Surviving spouses, children, and other eligible survivors may also qualify for Part B survivor benefits if the covered employee is deceased. Facility inclusion does not by itself guarantee eligibility; each claim is evaluated individually by the DOL.
EEOICPA Part E
Part E provides variable compensation based on wage loss, impairment, and survivor benefits for DOE contractor and subcontractor employees (and certain qualifying RECA Section 5 uranium workers) who developed illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances at covered DOE facilities. Compensation amounts vary based on individual circumstances, including impairment rating and wage loss, rather than a fixed lump sum. Covered illnesses may include those caused by exposure to a range of toxic substances — including chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, and other hazardous materials — found at DOE facilities.
Part E also covers impairment ratings, allowing workers who have sustained permanent physical limitations to receive additional compensation proportional to their level of disability. Eligibility is not guaranteed by facility employment alone; the DOL evaluates each claim based on verified employment, diagnosis, and causal connection to toxic exposure.
Illnesses Recognized Under EEOICPA
Cancer (various types linked to radiation exposure)
Beryllium disease (CBD and beryllium sensitization)
Silicosis and other dust-related lung diseases
Skin conditions from chemical or radiation exposure
Neurological disorders from toxic substance exposure
Many conditions not listed here may still qualify under Part E if a causal relationship to toxic exposure at a covered facility can be established. Contact Nuclear Advocates for a free eligibility review.
Major DOE Sites
Hanford Site (Washington)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee)
Rocky Flats Plant (Colorado)
Savannah River Site (South Carolina)
Los Alamos National Laboratory (New Mexico)
Nevada Test Site (Nevada)
Mound Plant (Ohio)
Fernald Feed Materials Production Center (Ohio)
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Kentucky)
Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Ohio)
This is a partial list. Hundreds of additional facilities are covered. If you worked at any DOE or contractor site, you may be eligible.
What an Authorized Representative Can Help With
An Authorized Representative can help claimants organize evidence, communicate with the claims office, review requests for information, prepare responses, review decisions, submit objections when appropriate, and help guide the claim through the EEOICPA process.
You remain in control of your claim. A claimant may appoint, remove, or replace an Authorized Representative according to the applicable federal program rules. Nuclear Advocates helps simplify the process, but final eligibility and benefit decisions are made by the federal claims program.
How the Claim Support Process Works
Every situation is different, but this is how we typically help claimants and families get started.
Free Eligibility Review
We review your work history, facility or exposure location, diagnosis, survivor status, and whether a claim has already been filed.
Document Checklist
We identify the employment, medical, survivor, exposure, or claim documents that may be needed.
Claim Preparation Support
We help organize information, forms, and supporting documentation so the claim is easier to understand and submit.
Ongoing Claim Guidance
We help review claim communications, respond to document requests, and understand next steps if a claim is delayed or denied.
What You Can Expect
Last reviewed: August 8, 2026
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are unsure where to begin, Nuclear Advocates can help you understand your situation, organize important documents, and take the next step with clarity.
Most claimants and families do not know which claim path applies to them. Start with a free eligibility review and we can help identify the correct next step.
No approval or benefit outcome is guaranteed.