Nearly 50,000 claims for federal compensation related to radiation exposure from America’s nuclear weapons program remain unresolved, even as the Department of Justice has approved nearly $859 million in awards under an expanded federal program.
The DOJ’s latest figures, updated Tuesday, show 49,445 pending claims and 12,289 approvals under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Texas uranium workers are among those potentially eligible for $100,000 payments, although the department has not disclosed how many Texans have applied or received approval.
Pending Claims Increase Despite Additional Approvals
The number of pending applications has grown over the past two weeks, according to the department’s published data.
On October 6, the DOJ reported 47,612 pending claims and 11,721 approvals under the expanded program.
By October 20, pending claims had increased by 1,833, while approvals rose by 568. The total amount of approved compensation increased by approximately $38 million during that period.
The latest figures show 61,915 applications received under the expanded program, including 181 denials.
Of claims already decided, 98.5% have been approved. That percentage excludes applications awaiting decisions and does not indicate what percentage of all applicants will ultimately qualify.
The nearly $859 million represents compensation approved by the federal government, not necessarily money already distributed to recipients.
The figures also exclude approximately 57,000 claims submitted under the program’s earlier eligibility provisions, most of which have already been resolved.
Texas Uranium Workers May Qualify For $100,000
Texas has a direct connection to the compensation program through its history of uranium mining and processing.
Under the amended law, individuals who worked in qualifying uranium operations in Texas and 10 other states between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1990, may qualify for compensation.
Eligible occupations include uranium miners, millers, core drillers, ore transporters, and certain remediation workers.
Workers generally must establish at least one year of qualifying employment, although uranium miners can alternatively qualify by documenting a specified level of radiation exposure.
Applicants also must have been diagnosed with certain covered illnesses, including lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, silicosis, pneumoconiosis, renal cancer, or other qualifying chronic kidney diseases.
Eligible workers can receive a one-time payment of $100,000. Certain surviving family members may also apply when a qualifying worker has died.
The DOJ’s October 20 report lists 356 approved uranium-worker claims totaling $35.6 million, while 1,572 applications remain pending nationwide.
The department’s report does not identify how many of those applications originated in Texas.
Trump-Signed Law Expanded Federal Compensation
President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, reauthorizing RECA after the earlier program expired in 2024.
The legislation expanded eligibility for uranium workers and residents of certain areas affected by radioactive fallout from atmospheric nuclear testing. It also established compensation for qualifying individuals exposed to Manhattan Project waste.
The federal program provides payments to people who developed specified illnesses after qualifying radiation exposure.
Unlike conventional civil litigation, RECA does not require applicants to prove that radiation directly caused their illness.
Instead, applicants must provide documentation establishing qualifying employment, residence, or participation in nuclear testing, along with a covered medical diagnosis.
More Than $518 Million Approved For Fallout Exposure
The largest category of approved compensation under the expanded program involves individuals who lived in designated areas affected by radioactive fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing.
The DOJ reports 5,180 approved claims in that category, totaling $518 million. Another 28,094 applications remain pending.
The expanded law covers qualifying locations in New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, and Nevada.
Texas is not included among the designated downwinder locations. However, a Texas resident who previously lived in a qualifying area during the covered period may be eligible if the individual meets the remaining requirements.
A separate category for exposure to Manhattan Project waste accounts for 6,667 approved claims totaling approximately $296.7 million, with another 19,660 applications pending.
That category applies to qualifying locations in Missouri, Tennessee, Alaska, and Kentucky.
Claims Deadline Set For December 2027
Eligible individuals and certain surviving family members have until December 31, 2027, to file claims.
The Justice Department now offers an electronic application option through its official website, allowing applicants to submit claims and upload supporting documentation.
Applications can also be filed by mail.
Depending on the claim category, required documentation may include medical records, employment histories, proof of residence, and evidence of participation in nuclear testing.
The department cautions that high application volumes may delay acknowledgment letters. It is also working to issue revised program regulations during 2026.
For qualifying Texas uranium workers and their surviving families, the expanded law provides an opportunity to seek federal compensation while tens of thousands of claims nationwide await decisions.
Provided by Dallas Express
