The US government extended the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program until June 10, 2024. If you have cancer or you lost a family member to cancer and you or they fall into one of the three following categories, you may be eligible for a lump sum compensation:

· Uranium miners, millers and ore transporters

· “Onsite participants” at atmospheric nuclear weapons tests

· People who lived in northern Arizona from Jan. 21, 1951 through Oct. 31, 1958 (for at least two years during this period), or from June 30, 1962 through July 31, 1962. (These folks are frequently referred to as “downwinders” because the area was downwind from the Nevada atmospheric nuclear tests.)

In Arizona, RECA downwinder areas include Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo and Yavapai Counties, the area north of the Grand Canyon, and a portion of Mojave County north of the Colorado River. Although overall cancer rates in Gila County are among the lowest in Arizona, Globe/ Miami and San Carlos are known to have had cancer clusters. Some of the people with these cancers do not realize that they may be eligible for compensation, which can help with the medical expenses. Although it has been 60 years since the last aboveground test, cancer cases that may be caused by radiation are still occurring.

Like many things related to the government, filing for RECA is not simple. Forms for RECA filings are usually available at justice.gov, but a new website is being launched. If you want to apply for an award yourself, you will have to fill out 25 pages plus additional documentation. Mistakes in filling out the forms can result in delays.

Hiring a professional to help you has its own complications. Because fees for a lawyer to assist you are limited to two percent of the award, those who handle RECA filings are rare. Luckily for area residents, Globe attorney Thomas Thompson has specialized in these cases for many years. He and his office manager, Jo Nell Brantley, are always willing to answer questions over the phone ( 928 425-8111) without charge.