What programs can help individuals with asbestos diseases?

Frequently Asked Asbestos Questions

What programs can help individuals with asbestos diseases?

If you have an asbestos-induced disease, you may be able to receive Medicare. More information can be found at Medicare's Regional Offices in 10 prominent cities across the country. To locate an office, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/RegionalOffices. Call 1–800–633–4227 (1–800–MEDICARE) or visit http://www.medicare.gov for more general information.

Those suffering from asbestos-related conditions as a result of workplace exposure may be eligible for financial assistance. Requirements vary by state, so workers should contact their state's workers' compensation board. Search http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/owcp/wc.htm  for contact information of your state's workers' compensation officials.

If you were exposed during your job with a federal agency, compensation may be covered by the Federal Employees' Compensation Program. This allows benefits to civilian employees for workplace related illnesses and injuries. Benefits may include payment for medical bills, wage replacement and rehabilitation assistance if needed. If the worker passes away, his or her dependents may receive benefits.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Program also offers benefits to maritime workers, harbor workers and longshoremen. More information is available from:

Organization:
 Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs
Employment Standards Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
Address:
 Frances Perkins Building
200 Constitution Avenue, NW.
Washington, DC 20210 
 
Telephone:
 1–866–692–7487 (1–866–OWCPIVR)
202–693–0040
(Federal Employees’ Compensation Program)
202–693–0038
(Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Program)
 
E-mail:
 OWCP-Public@dol.gov
 
Internet Web site:
 http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp_org.htm
 

Veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to see if they are eligible for health care. Call 1–877–222–8387 (1–877–222–VETS) or visit http://www1.va.gov/health for more information about benefits.