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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

96.005:  Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners

Popular Name:  Black Lung

Objectives:  To pay benefits to coal miners who have become disabled due to pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) or other chronic lung disease arising from coal mine employment and their dependents or survivors.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

96.005 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  In order to become entitled, the miner must have become "disabled" (as defined in the Act) from black lung or another chronic lung disease arising from coal mine employment and have applied for benefits. Widow(er)s of coal miners whose deaths or disability at the time of death resulted from black lung or other chronic lung disease arising from coal mine employment are also eligible for benefits as are other categories of beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Disabled coal miners and their eligible dependents or survivors.

Credentials/Documentation:  Proof of employment in coal mine and of disability due to black lung or other chronic lung disease arising from coal mine employment. Also, proof of death, relationship, and dependency for those who are eligible.

96.005 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  Since 1973 no new applications have been accepted by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for this program except for applications from survivors of miners or widows who were receiving black lung benefits under this program when the miner or widow died. Beginning October 1, 1997, the Department of Labor (DOL) now has the responsibility for adjudication of all new Miner's claims.

Award Procedure:  After the application is reviewed, a notice is mailed to the applicant (or representative payee).

Deadlines:  The claim must be filed within 6 months after the death of the miner or widow.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Not applicable.

Appeals:  SSA is responsible for decisions made for cases appealed at the hearing level or above.

Renewals:  Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Benefits payable to miners or widows are increased when there are dependents in the family. The basic black lung benefit was $487.40 in January 2000. Maximum benefit payable beginning in January 2000 was $974.70.

96.005 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 17.302 Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation;
• 17.307 Coal Mine Workers' Compensation;
• 96.001 Social Security: Disability Insurance;
• 96.002 Social Security: Retirement Insurance;
• 96.004 Social Security: Survivors Insurance;
• 96.006 Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

96.005 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

96.005 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Type of Assistance:  Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use.

Obligations:  (Benefit Payments) FY 99 $550,000,000; FY 00 est $522,000,000; and FY 01 est $491,000,000.

Budget Account Number:  75-0409-0-1-601.

Authorization:  Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments Act of 1977, Title IV, as amended; 30 U.S.C. 901-945.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Code of Federal Regulations, Title 20, Parts 401, 410, 422.

96.005 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Consult Appendix IV of the Catalog.

Headquarters Office:  Office of Public Inquiries, Room 4100, Annex, Social Security Administration, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235. Phone: (410) 965-2736; Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, D.C. 20210, Phone: (202) 693-0047.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

96.005 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Not applicable.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Monthly cash benefits are paid to entitled coal miners and, under prescribed circumstances, their widows, children, surviving divorced wife, parents, brothers and sisters. There are no restrictions on the use of benefits, although the right to future benefits is not transferable or assignable.

96.005 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Any change in an eligibility requirement or in a factor affecting the amount of benefits, such as a change in workers' compensation, must be reported when it occurs. Pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding between SSA and DOL, beginning October 1, 1997, DOL is responsible for administering and maintaining the black lung benefit rolls while SSA continues to be responsible for administrative hearings and policy.

Audits:  None.

Records:  None.