EEOICPA OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

1. EEOICPA OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN September 12-14, 2017 Tucson and Phoenix (Tempe), AZ

2. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN • EEOICPA passed by Congress in 2000. • October 2004 legislation also created the Office of the Ombudsman. • The Office of the Ombudsman is independent from the offices within the Department of Labor that administer EEOICPA. • In 2010, Congress expanded the authority of the Office to include Part B of the EEOICPA. • In 2014, the Congress extended the authority of the Office through October 28, 2019.

3. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN Our Duties: Provide information on the benefits available under the EEOICPA. Make recommendations regarding the location of resource centers for the acceptance and development of claims – there are currently 11 resource centers. Submit an annual report to Congress detailing: a) The number and types of complaints, grievances and requests for assistance received during the year, and b) An assessment of the most common difficulties encountered by claimants during the year.

4. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN ANNUAL REPORT: The Secretary of Labor shall submit a response to the annual report that: Includes a statement of whether the Secretary agrees or disagrees with the specific issues raised by the Ombudsman in the report; If the Secretary agrees with the Ombudsman on issues, describe the actions to be taken to correct thoseissues; If the Secretary does not agree with the Ombudsman on issues, describe the reasons the Secretary does not agree.

5. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN Limitations – The Office cannot: • Rule or make decisions on claims • “Make” DEEOIC reverse or change a decision • Request that Congress revise the Act • Take DEEOIC to court • Lobby Congress • Act as an advocate

6. OMBUDSMAN ASSISTANCE • The Office receives multiple complaints, grievances, and requests for assistance from many sources including claimants, attorneys, lay representatives, congressional staff and others. • We listen to your concerns • We answer your questions and provide other assistance to you concerning difficulties you may have with claims pending with DEEOIC • We explain, review and discuss aspects of the EEOICPA claims process • We direct claimants, potential claimants and others to appropriate resources • We discuss your concerns in our annual report to Congress

7. OMBUDSMAN ASSISTANCE • Outreach efforts and initiatives include: • Sponsoring town hall meetings • Attending and Participating in outreach events sponsored by other agencies and organizations • Offering opportunities for individuals to speak one-on-one with Ombudsman staff • Coordinating efforts with the Joint Outreach Task Group (JOTG)

8. Practical Information • File a claim for all illnesses • File a new claim for all new illnesses as they arise - Claim can be reopened any time - Make sure you have reported any/all potentially covered employment to DOL - Review your Occupational History Interview for completeness/accuracy

9. Practical Information • DOL may have your claim reviewed by a specialist (CMC, IH, Toxicologist, Referee) & you should be provided a copy of the report with your Recommended Decision. • You can request a copy of any specialist report from your claims examiner at any time, even before your decision. Your request must be in writing. • You can request a copy of your file or part of your file from your claims examiner at any time. Your request must be in writing.

10. Practical Information If claim accepted for medical benefits, you can: • Find enrolled providers online by clicking on Provider Search at http://owcp.dol.acs-inc.com/portal/main.do. • You must notify DOL in writing of change in health care provider. • If your accepted covered illness or treatment for the illness causes a new illness or injury, you can file a claim for consequential illness/injury.

11. How to submit documents to DOL • Mail to central mailroom in London, KY • Fax to your claims examiner in local district office or FAB office • Take to local Resource Center and have them send to DOL • Upload to Energy Document Portal – https://eclaimant.dol-esa.gov. • You may request extension of time to submit documents to DOL. Must be in writing.

12. ONLINE RESOURCES • DEEOIC - http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/ • DEEOIC Procedure Manual - http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/PolicyandProcedures/UnifiedProcedureManual.htm • DEEOIC Final Bulletins and Final Circulars - http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/PolicyandProcedures/FinalBulletinshtml.htm and http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/PolicyandProcedures/finalcircularshtml.htm • EEOICPA (the Act) - http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/law/EEOICPAALL.htm • Federal (EEOICPA) Regulations - http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/law/FinalRuleInRegister.pdf

13. Affiliated EEOICPA Agencies • Department of Labor’s Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) • Department of Energy (DOE) • DOE Former Worker Programs • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) • Department of Justice (DOJ) – adjudicates RECA claims • Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health

14. ARIZONA COVERED FACILITIES 3 DOE FACILITIES + COVERED URANIUM MINES

15. Arizona Covered Facilities Ore Buying Station at Globe Location: Globe Time Period: July 1955-1957 Facility Type: Department of Energy Facility Description: The ore buying station at Globe purchased uranium ore for the AEC. American Smelting and Refining Company (ASRC) managed and operated the Globe station on behalf of the AEC from July 1955 to January 1956. Lucius Pitkin replaced ASRC as the management and operating contractor for the site in February 1956. Contractors: American Smelting and Refining Company (1955-1956); and Lucius Pitkin, Inc. (1956-1957).

16. Arizona Covered Facilities Uranium Mill in Monument Valley Location: Monument Valley Time Period: DOE (Remediation) May1989-Febraury 1990; September 1992 – May 1994 Facility Type: Department of Energy Facility Description: This former uranium-ore processing mill operated from 1955 through 1968. This ore processing is covered under the auspices of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and is not separately covered under EEOICPA. However, DOE environmental remediation contractors performed environmental remediation under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (Public Law 95-604) from May1989 to February 1990 and then again from September 1992 through May 1994. DOE and DOE contractor employees who performed this remediation are covered under EEOICPA.

17. Arizona Covered Facilities Uranium Mill in Tuba City Location: Monument Valley Time Period: DOE (Remediation) January 1985 –February 1986; January 1988 – April 1990 Facility Type: Department of Energy Facility Description: During its 10 years of operations, this mill processed about 800,000 tons of uranium ore. This ore processing is covered under the auspices of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and is not separately covered under EEOICPA. However, DOE environmental remediation contractors performed environmental remediation under the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (Public Law 95-604) at this former uranium ore processing mill from January 1985 –February 1986 and again from January 1988 – April 1990. DOE and DOE contractor employees who performed this remediation are covered under EEOICPA.

18. Ombudsman Contact Information Mail: U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Ombudsman for EEOICPA 200 Constitution Ave., N.W. Room N-2454 Washington, D.C. 20210 Toll Free: 1-877-662-8363 Fax: (202) 693-5899 Email:ombudsman@dol.gov Website:www.dol.gov/eeombd