The Justice Department on Thursday launched an online claims portal for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, giving people affected by mid‑century nuclear work and waste a faster digital way to apply for federal payouts. The new setup cuts down on the printing and mailing that had made filing a chore for many St. Louis‑area residents and other newly eligible communities.
As reported by KSDK, the portal lets applicants create profiles, review eligibility and submit claims online, including uploading scanned medical records and proofs of residence to speed adjudication. KSDK also notes the system is built so the Justice Department can still request original or certified documents later to verify anything that was scanned.
The U.S. Department of Justice sets the rules for RECA, including the list of compensable illnesses and payment amounts, and says qualifying claimants may receive one-time payments tied to their claim category. The department explains that Manhattan Project‑waste claimants who are living at the time they file may be eligible for $50,000 or reimbursement of unreimbursed medical expenses, while survivors of deceased claimants may qualify for a smaller award.
Who qualifies and what to gather
People who lived, worked or attended school in designated areas for at least two years after January 1, 1949, or who held covered uranium‑industry jobs during specified periods, are among those eligible under the expanded law. Representative Wesley Bell’s RECA guidance outlines the St. Louis‑area ZIP codes and the residency rules that define the Manhattan Project waste claimant category. Before filing, applicants are advised to start collecting proof of residence or employment, identification and medical records that document a compensable diagnosis.
How the portal works and timeline
The new online system accepts scanned documents to help speed review, and users can check the status of their claim through their account, according to KSDK. All claims still must be filed by December 31, 2027, and local help pages and libraries are posting step‑by‑step guides to help residents find old school, employment or property records needed for a successful application, per the St. Louis County Library.
Where to get help and what advocates say
Community groups that pushed for the RECA expansion are now mobilizing to help people use the portal and pull together documents. Dawn Chapman and Karen Nickel of Just Moms STL have been coordinating local resources and say the group will work with neighbors on using the new online system so more people can complete claims accurately.
Legal note: fees and fraud risks
Rules on paid assistance still apply. Federal law limits attorneys’ fees on an initial RECA claim to 2% of the award, with higher percentages allowed only in narrow, preexisting or resubmission circumstances, according to the U.S. Code. Consumer advocates and reporters have warned about opportunistic scammers charging excessive fees, and local officials recommend using county‑listed help centers or recognized nonprofit groups instead of third‑party services, as noted by KNPR.
Those who think they may qualify can visit the new portal or contact county help centers for guidance and scheduled assistance sessions. Advocates say starting the paperwork now, gathering IDs, school or employment records and medical documentation, will make filing smoother and help claims move through the system more quickly.
