File a Claim Under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

Residents in a few St. Louis zip codes who were harmed by radioactive waste from the U.S. nuclear arms program can file federal claims for compensation.

Overview

This federal program is listed on the City website as a courtesy.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a federal law that provides compensation to those harmed by radioactive waste from the U.S. nuclear arms program.

Missouri secured an expansion of RECA in 2025.

Individuals adversely impacted by nuclear waste may be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $50,000 or reimbursement of total out-of-pocket medical expenses (whichever is greater).

Surviving beneficiaries (spouse or children) may be eligible for a one-time payment of $25,000 in equal shares.

Choose a service option:

Showing instructions for Self-Claimants.

On This Page

Preparation

Eligibility extends to those who:

  • Lived, worked, and/or attended school for at least two years (24 months consecutively or cumulatively) after 1949 in an impacted zip code: 63031, 63033, 63034, 63044, 63045, 63074, 63102, 63114, 63121, 63134, 63135, 63138, 63140, 63145, 63147, 63304, 63341, 63367, or 63368
  • AND contracted one of the following diseases:
    • any leukemia (provided initial exposure occurred after age 20; multiple myeloma; lymphoma (excluding Hodgkin’s);
    • primary cancers of the bile ducts, bone, brain, breast (male or female, colon, esophagus, gall bladder, liver (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated), lung, ovary, pancreas, pharynx, renal (kidney), salivary gland, small intestine, stomach, thyroid, or urinary bladder.

Instructions

  • Complete the form (or electronic claim form) in full: Parts 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, AND privacy release statements (optional Parts 13 and 14)
  • Submit original or certified copy of birth certificate: in the case of name changes, submit original or certified copies of marriage license(s) and/or divorce decree(s)
  • Submit original or certified copies of proof of residency, employment, or school attendance in an impacted zip code for two years prior to diagnosis (e.g. voting records, school transcripts, W2s)
  • Submit certified medical records showing diagnosis of a compensable disease (show pages 18-24) of the claim form to your provider and request a signed and dated cover letter on institutional letterhead, verifying records)
  • Mail the completed application to the Department of Justice before Dec. 31, 2027
    • U.S. Department of Justice
      P.O. Box 146
      Ben Franklin Station
      Washington D.C., 20044-0146

Begin online

Begin online: https://reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal/s/?language=en_US

What to Expect

  • Please retain all records uploaded in support of your claim. If there is a question about authenticity, the RECA Program may ask you to provide a certified or original copy by mail
  •  When submitting an online application, you will see a confirmation of submission online. Once your application has been assigned a RECA claim number, you will receive an acknowledgement letter by standard mail.

Additional Information

Contact

Contact the RECA Program by telephone

Telephone: 1-800-729-RECP (1-800-729-7327)

RECA Mailing Address

Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146

Contact RECA by e-mail

civil.reca@usdoj.gov

Help Us Improve This Page

Did you notice an error? Is there information that you expected to find on this page, but didn't? Let us know below, and we'll work on it.

Was this page helpful?



Comments are helpful!
500 character limit

Feedback is anonymous.