Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program
RECA provides a one-time payment of $100,000 to individuals who developed cancer or other specified diseases due to their exposure to radiation from the Trinity and other nuclear tests. Historically, compensation was available to only a select group of New Mexicans who worked in uranium mines before 1971.
To address this injustice, Congresswoman Leger Fernandez introduced the RECA Amendments Act in 2021. She led the U.S. House of Representatives effort to expand RECA to cover New Mexico downwinders post ’71 uranium miners alongside Senator Ben Ray Lujan, the New Mexico congressional delegation, and New Mexico advocates. RECA compensation is now available to New Mexico downwinders and post ’71 uranium workers.
Gather original or certified copies of supporting documents, such as:
Proof of residence, employment, or onsite participation during a qualifying period
Medical records documenting your diagnosis of a compensable disease
Identification documentation as described on the claim form
Online:
The Department of Justice expects to allow people to apply online beginning in December 2025. Please continue to monitor the website for more information.
Deadline to File: All claims must be filed by December 31, 2027.
Who is Eligible to Apply in New Mexico:
In New Mexico the following individuals are eligible to apply for the $100,000 payment:
Downwinders
Must have been present in New Mexico for 1 year between September 24, 1944, and November 6, 1962 or for the entirety of June 30, 1962 to July 31, 1962.
Qualifying Diseases: leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia), multiple myeloma, lymphomas (other than Hodgkin’s disease), and primary cancers of the: thyroid, male or female breast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary, liver (except if cirrhosis or Hepatitis B is indicated), or lung.
Uranium Workers
Must have been employed as a uranium miner, uranium miller, core driller, in the transport of uranium or vanadium-uranium ore from such a mine or mill, or was involved in remediation efforts at such uranium mine or mill in New Mexico.
Must have been employed for at least 1 year or 40 working level months between January 1, 1942 and December 1, 1990.
Qualifying Diseases: lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, fibrosis of the lung, silicosis, pneumoconiosis, cor pulmonale related to fibrosis of the lung, renal cancer, and any other chronic renal disease including nephritis and kidney tubal tissue injury.
Must have been present onsite above or within a government installation during the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device before January 1, 1963.
Qualifying diseases: leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia), multiple myeloma, lymphomas (other than Hodgkin’s disease), and primary cancers of the: thyroid, male or female breast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary, liver (except if cirrhosis or Hepatitis B is indicated, or lung.
Survivors: If an eligible individual dies, their survivor may apply for compensation on their behalf. Survivors are considered in the following order: living spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, and grandparents.
Attorney Fees:
It is not necessary to hire an attorney to submit a RECA claim. However, should you wish to hire an attorney, please remember they can only charge you a 2% fee for filing the initial claim. They may charge 10% to submit a denied claim.
Protect Yourself from Scams:
Sadly, some people may try and take advantage of you. Remember not to share your personal records with or pay a fee to anyone you don’t trust. There is no fee to apply for RECA and there are free resources available to help file claims.
If you suspect that someone is scamming you, you can report them to the New Mexico Department of Justice by phone at 505-490-4060 or online at NMDOJ.gov/submit-a-complaint.
Resources to Help Apply:
University of New Mexico RESEP Program – provides free assistance in filling out applications and conducts free health screenings.
Northern Navajo RESEP Program (Shiprock) – provides free assistance in filling out applications and conducts free health screenings. Only available to IHS patients.
505-368-7054 or 505-368-7032
New Mexico Environment Department – provides free assistance in filling out applications
State Cancer Registry (if you are listed on the state cancer registry, you may authorize DOJ to contact the registry to confirm rather than submit separate documentation)
State Cancer Registry (if you are listed on the state cancer registry, you may authorize DOJ to contact the registry to confirm rather than submit separate documentation)
State Cancer Registry (if you are listed on the state cancer registry, you may authorize DOJ to contact the registry to confirm rather than submit separate documentation)
State Cancer Registry (if you are listed on the state cancer registry, you may authorize DOJ to contact the registry to confirm rather than submit separate documentation)
State Cancer Registry (if you are listed on the state cancer registry, you may authorize DOJ to contact the registry to confirm rather than submit separate documentation)
