To be eligible for this benefit program, you must be one of the following: A coal miner, who suffers from an illness caused by pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), or. A widow or widower whose spouse died due to a work-related illness caused by Pneumoconiosis.
Who pays for black lung disease?
A coal mining company which employed the deceased coal miner (usually the last company that employed the miner for a year or more) may be required to pay your benefits if it meets certain requirements under the law. Otherwise, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund will pay your benefits.
What does black lung benefits cover?
The Black Lung Benefits Act provides monthly payments and medical benefits to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) arising from their employment in or around the nation’s coal mines. The Act also provides monthly benefits to a miner’s dependent survivors.
Can you get disability for black lung?
The Black Lung Benefits Act provides monthly benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease caused by working in the coal mining industry.
Does black lung pay back pay?
Federal black lung benefits are not paid unless a State claim, if required, is filed. Once such a claim is filed, Federal benefits are payable ef- fective with the original month of entitlement, subject to retroactive offset adjustment later if the State claim is paid.
Will black lung benefits increase in 2021?
The Black Lung Benefits Disability Trust Fund Act of 2021 would extend the black lung excise tax at its current levels for 10 years. The excise tax rate for surface mining is $0.55 per ton or 4.4% of the sales price, whichever is lower.
Does Federal black lung pay back pay?
Is black lung benefits taxable?
U.S. Department of Labor. “Federal Black Lung Benefits Are Not Taxable.” Accessed Dec. 17, 2020.
How much does black lung pay per month?
The basic black lung benefit is now $153.10 a month for a miner or widow and may rise to $306.10 if there are three or more dependents.
Do you pay taxes on black lung benefits?
“Federal Black Lung Benefits Are Not Taxable.” Accessed Dec. 17, 2020.
Do you pay taxes on black lung Benefits?
What is the average black lung settlement?
Federal black lung benefit rates are set at 37.5% of the base salary of certain entry-level federal employees. See 30 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1). These employees are on the second lowest paygrade for federal employees, or the GS-2 Step 1, and they earn just $21,974.00 per year or $10.53 per hour.
Who is eligible for “black lung” benefits?
The Black Lung Benefits Act provides monthly benefits to eligible surviving family members of coal miners whose deaths were due to black lung disease, or “pneumoconiosis.” The Act also provides monthly benefits to survivors of miners who were entitled to benefits based on their own lifetime claims. In either case, you may receive additional benefits for family members who are dependent on you.
What is the black lung benefits program?
The Department of Labor (DOL) Black Lung Benefits Program provides medical and income assistance to coal miners who suffer total disability or death due to lung disease caused by coal dust.
What is a black lung claim?
Black Lung. Miner’s Claim. The Black Lung Benefits Act provides monthly benefits to coal miners who are totally disabled by black lung disease caused by working in the coal mining industry. You may also receive additional benefits for family members who are dependent on you and for the cost of your own medical treatment.
What causes black lung disease?
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung disease or black lung, is caused by long-term exposure to coal dust. It is common in coal miners and others who work with coal.
