St. Louis, MO (KMOX) - With the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act now expanded for people in our region who were exposed to World War II era nuclear contamination, scores of people who have lived, worked, or gone to school in 21 eligible zip codes are wondering how to apply.
KMOX's Megan Lynch was joined in studio Thursday morning by Karen Nickel and Dawn Chapman, co-founders of Just Moms STL, the group that pushed for victims rights.
Megan:
How many people do you think potentially could apply for and receive compensation?
Dawn:
One number that we're hearing is upwards of 300,000 people and that's people that have already passed for survivor benefits and then those that currently qualify.
Megan:
So when we look at that 300,000, realistically, what level of compensation could they receive?
Karen:
So the survivor benefits are $25,000. And then those that have been impacted by the approved cancers that are currently living would be a $50,000 compensation. And they can choose that or they can choose to get their medical bills, their unpaid out-of-pocket medical bills reimbursed, whichever is greater.
Megan:
You brought in the packet, the application today. It looks pretty extensive and complicated. Obviously you want that for accountability, but that's going to be a lot for these families. What kind of documentation are they going to have to pull together to try to put this together?
Dawn:
That's a great question. So yeah, I mean, this is going to be daunting for those that are going through an illness, right? A qualifying illness.
But they're going to have to have current medical records if they're going through an illness or if they're applying for somebody who's already passed on previous medical records and those are going to have to be certified. And then they're going to have to meet the qualification of a lived, worked, or went to school in an impacted zip code, whether that's a deed, a property deed, or tax records or whatnot, something that, you know, shows that they meet that qualification. And again, all these documents, they don't have to be originals, but they have to be certified.
They can't just be a copy that you have laying around.
Megan:
When you say certified, what does that mean to the federal government?
Dawn:
So that's why the library is important because they have the ability to certify some of the documents that they are going to be printing out, such as deeds and records and things like that.
And that just means that it's a documented copy, right? That it's not something that you got on your computer and typed up and, you know, this is how the government's going to run this program and protect from fraud.
Megan:
I'm curious how you feel about the information piece of this. Do you feel like residents and families are getting enough information about this process?
Karen:
So, yes, there are a lot of organizations and, you know, like St. Louis County and St. Louis County Library that have really stepped up and are really trying to get this information out. One thing that I would like to say is it can be overwhelming and we don't want people to give up. You know, we're trying to get as much resource information out as possible.
And so there's going to be a lot of ways that you can get this information and help that you need.
Dawn:
We're working closely with like the Pink Angels organization, people that are already out in these communities doing great work in other areas and servicing like food insecurities, housing insecurities. Anybody that somebody might go to that needs help in another area, we're trying to get this in front of them so they can also be a resource for this.
Megan:
Talk about the load on both of you, because I know a lot of people rely on you as a resource on these issues.
Dawn:
It's very, very heavy. Like Karen and I were just, it's good that we drove down here and we're in studio today. We had a chance to kind of sit together and talk.
There just are so many people that are ill right now, like this could save people's lives. So for us, we take that seriously. I'm like, somebody needs this right now.
We have to remove however many barriers, but with the St. Louis library, St. Louis County library stepping up, that's going to relieve some of that from us. Like we're seeing people step up in partnering. We're seeing state reps, mayors hosting their own town halls.
So hopefully the burden gets shared across the board and it's not just on us, but right now it's pretty heartbreaking.
Megan:
Realistically for these individuals and families that are dealing with illness, how long could they expect this process to take from the time they gather all this and apply and hear back?
Karen:
So there is a process and it is going to take a while. Missouri is newly added to this program. It's been around since 1990.
However, we weren't a part of it and we should have always been a part of it. I think obviously with the application and the information that you're getting together, it's a lot of information. So it's going to be a process.
So patience, we need to ask for some grace and some patience here, but you will get it. You will get your compensation.
Megan:
What's the window of time that people have to apply? For example, if someone would get six months down the road, are they still eligible?
Dawn:
They are still eligible. Applications are going to be ongoing. This program since 1990 has been reauthorized every two years.
And we are already starting to push and try and set in motion that so that there wouldn't be the timeframe. But as of right now, it's December. The end of December is going to be your last opportunity to apply.
And then they'll finish processing those applications through 2028. But for us again, we're hoping to reauthorize it. And I think our message to everybody listening is for as hard as we fought for this program, you better believe we're fighting even harder now to make sure you guys get access to this and that this program stays around.
Resources/Meetings for RECA application information
The St. Louis County Library is partnering with community groups to provide information and support. Here is a list of upcoming sessions:
Thursday, August 21, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Virtual Program
Registration link.
Friday, August 22, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Clark Family Branch
1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131
More info.
Monday, August 25, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Florissant Valley Branch
195 New Florissant Rd., S., Florissant, MO 63031
More info
Monday, August 25, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Live satellite locations will broadcast the meeting virtually to the following St. Louis County Library branches: Jamestown Bluffs, Lewis & Clark, Mid-County, Prairie Commons, Samuel C. Sachs, Thornhill and Weber Road. Space is limited at each location.
For more information about RECA resources available through St. Louis County Library, please visit www.slcl.org/reca.
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