RECA Resources for Missourians Affected by Nuclear Contamination
RECA Hotline: (202) 228-4388
What is RECA?
On July 4, 2025, Senator Hawley’s legislation to expand RECA to areas of Missouri was signed into law by President Trump. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a law that provides financial compensation to survivors of nuclear contamination resulting from federal activity during the Second World War and Cold War periods. This compensation enables claimants to offset medical expenses related to radiation-linked cancers, which were developed through exposure to Manhattan Project-era toxins and atmospheric nuclear testing.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) administers RECA, reviews applications, and facilitates payout. More information about the program and application process is available through the DOJ website.
Who is Eligible?
Under Senator Hawley’s bill, Missourians who currently live or formerly resided near Coldwater Creek and Weldon Spring in the St. Louis metro area are eligible for compensation.
Qualifying survivors will receive a one-time, tax-free payment of $50,000 or reimbursement for radiation-linked medical expenses, whichever is greater. Qualifying beneficiaries of deceased individuals (as designated by the Department of Justice, see p. 3-6) will receive a one-time, tax-free payment of $25,000, distributed equally among claimants.
To be eligible for compensation, claimants must meet the following criteria:
- Lived for at least two years after January 1, 1949, in one of the following ZIP codes:
63031, 63033, 63034, 63042, 63045, 63074, 63114, 63135, 63138, 63044, 63121, 63140, 63145, 63147, 63102, 63304, 63134, 63043, 63341, 63368, or 63367
AND - After 2 years of residency, contracted leukemia, multiple myeloma, lymphoma (other than Hodgkin’s disease), or primary cancers of the bile duct, brain, breast, bone, 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, and urinary bladder.
Missourians who worked or attended school in one of these ZIP codes, but did not reside there, may also be eligible.
“Congress officially passed RECA—and Trump just signed it into law. Next steps? Spreading the word to the tens of thousands of Missourians—and the millions of other Americans—so they get the relief they deserve.”
How Do I Apply?
Missourians who meet the above criteria should print and complete the Manhattan Project Waste Claim Form. Documentation proving identity, residency, and medical diagnosis will be required with the application. The completed claim form and all accompanying documents should be mailed to the Department of Justice:
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
RECA is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Applications will be reviewed and payment will be authorized by Department of Justice staff. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2027.
An online application portal is expected to be opened by December 2025. For the most current information, please visit the Department of Justice website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the application?
You can download a copy of the application here!
What do I need to include with my application?
Examples of required documentation for proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of medical diagnosis are listed on the application form. Please contact our hotline if you have difficulty locating this documentation.
Can I print the application double-sided? Can I staple my application? Do I need to include all the pages?
Please include all pages of the Manhattan Waste Claim Form (printed single or double-sided) and accompanying documentation per the application. We suggest using a paper clip to keep your application together.
Will I receive my documents back?
It is our understanding that documents will be returned once the claim is processed.
Will the DOJ contact me if there is an issue with my application?
Yes.
Where can I obtain copies of my records?
Records are maintained by numerous entities, including the Missouri Bureau of Vital Records, city and county governments, local libraries, schools, and hospitals and other medical facilities. You may contact the institutions directly or call our hotline and we can provide guidance.
Where do I send my application?
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, DC 20044-0146
Who qualifies as a surviving beneficiary?
Per the Department of Justice, surviving beneficiaries are defined as spouses; natural, adopted, and/or step children; and authorized agents (such as an executor of the estate, legal guardian, or conservator). Specific cases should be addressed to the DOJ: 1-800-729-7327 or Civil.RECA@usdoj.gov
How do I certify my documents?
The Department of Justice qualifies certified documents as those stamped with the seal of the issuing institution (typically, raised, colored, or signed in ink) OR accompanied by a cover letter (signed and dated on letterhead), stating: “The attached record(s) containing [#of pages] pertaining to [name of person in question] is a true and accurate copy of a record kept in our files.” Per the Department of Justice, this cover page must be signed in ink and attached to the relevant record(s).
Contact Us
Missouri constituents can reach Senator Hawley’s office at our dedicated RECA hotline: (202) 228-4388
To submit a RECA-related question to our team, and also receive further updates, please fill out the form below:
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“Reviving RECA means acknowledging the debts we owe these good Americans and delivering them the justice and overdue compensation they deserve.”