Effective Dates: 05/19/2026 - Present Previous | Next

TN 136 (05-26)

SI 01130.680 Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Payments

CITATIONS:

P.L. 101-426, as amended by P.L.101-510, P.L. 106-245, P.L. 107-273, and P.L. 119-21

A. Background

Fallout emitted during the U.S. Government's atmospheric nuclear testing in Nevada during the 1950s and during a brief period in 1962 exposed some individuals to doses of radiation that put their health at risk. In addition, some individuals employed in uranium mines during the period January 1, 1947 to December 31, 1971 were exposed to large doses of radiation. P.L. 101-426 created the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund (RECTF) and authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make compensation payments to individuals (or their survivors) who were found to have contracted certain diseases after exposure. The payments will be made as a one-time lump sum. Generally, the exposure occurred in parts of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Over the years, several laws have amended RECTF, updating procedures, extending claim filing deadlines, and expanding to new populations including the P. L. 119-21 amendment changing the name to Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

B. Policy

1. SSI Resource Exclusion

Unspent payments received from the RECTF and RECA are excluded from resources.

2. Interest on Unspent RECTF and RECA Payments

Prior to July 1, 2004, interest earned on unspent RECTF payments is counted as income. However, interest earned on these payments may be excludable under another provision, for example, as infrequent or irregular. For SSI benefits payable on or after July 1, 2004, interest earned on unspent RECTF and RECA payments are excluded income. (See SI 00830.500C.)

C. Procedure

1. When to Develop

When an individual would otherwise be ineligible due to excess resources, determine if applying this exclusion would permit eligibility for regular or conditional benefits (SI 01150.200), in that order. If the exclusion would permit eligibility, develop per SI 01130.680C.2. in this section.

NOTE: If the individual is resources-eligible even without the application of this exclusion, it is not necessary to develop under this section.

2. Development and Documentation

a. Obtain Documentation

If an individual alleges that their resources include unspent RECTF and RECA payments:

  • •

    document such payments in accordance with SI 00830.740; and

  • •

    obtain a statement as to the date(s) and amount(s) of any financial institution (e.g., checking or savings) account deposits corresponding to the RECTF and RECA payments.

b. If Necessary, Contact DOJ

If the individual does not have, and cannot obtain, the documentation in SI 01130.680C.2.a., in this section, contact the DOJ. Address correspondence to:

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Program
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 146
Benjamin Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-0146

Provide the DOJ with the individual's name and Social Security number (SSN). When writing on behalf of a survivor, include the survivor's name and SSN.

c. Make CG Field Input

Enter code RECT in the CG field of the SSR to indicate that the individual's resources include unspent excluded RECTF and RECA payments.

D. References

  • •

    SI 01130.700 Identifying Excluded Funds That Have Been Commingled With Nonexcluded Funds

  • •

    SM 01301.785 Case Related Data

  • •

    SI 00830.740 Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Payments

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0501130680
SI 01130.680 - Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund and Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Payments - 05/19/2026
Batch run: 05/19/2026
Rev:05/19/2026