Who is eligible for black lung benefits?
To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be one of the following: A coal miner, who suffers from an illness caused by pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), or. A widow or widower whose spouse died due to a work-related illness caused by Pneumoconiosis.
What is black lung compensation?
About Black Lung Program The Act provides compensation to coal miners who are totally disabled by pneumoconiosis arising out of coal mine employment, and to survivors of coal miners whose deaths are attributable to the disease.
Does black lung pay back pay?
Federal black lung benefits are not paid unless a State claim, if required, is filed. Once such a claim is filed, Federal benefits are payable ef- fective with the original month of entitlement, subject to retroactive offset adjustment later if the State claim is paid.
What is the average black lung settlement?
Federal black lung benefit rates are set at 37.5% of the base salary of certain entry-level federal employees. See 30 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1). These employees are on the second lowest paygrade for federal employees, or the GS-2 Step 1, and they earn just $21,974.00 per year or $10.53 per hour.
How much does black lung pay per month?
The basic black lung benefit is now $153.10 a month for a miner or widow and may rise to $306.10 if there are three or more dependents.
Is black lung considered a disability?
Pursuant to federal law, Black Lung Disease becomes a “total disability” once it reaches a level of severity where the miner is not only unable to do his previous coal mining work, but also cannot (with consideration of education, work experience and other various work available) meet the physical demands of other coal …
Where is the mailing address for coal health plan?
Claims mailing address remains the same: Alliance Coal Health Plan PO Box 211577 Eagan, MN 55121
Is there a certificate of no objection for Westmoreland Coal Company?
Certificate of No Objection with Respect to the Motion to Terminate the WMLP Liquidation Trust (Filed By Westmoreland Coal Company ). (Related document (s): 3259 Generic Motion) (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Wertz, Jennifer) (Entered: 07/30/2021) Email
Is the Alliance Coal Health Plan going to webtpa?
The Alliance Coal Health Plan is transitioning our claims administration from WebTPA to be administered internally by the Alliance Coal Health Plan. For health care services provided in 2019 or earlier, claims will be processed and paid by WebTPA.
What does it mean to have a mining claim?
What Are These “Mining Claims”? Mining claims represent a claimant’s right to develop and extract a discovered, valuable, mineral deposit. Claimants identify potentially lucerative mining sites and register these locations with the Bureau of Land Management. Remember: these claims do not represent exclusive rights to the land.