The Department of Energy or DOE works would be exposed to several toxic substances causing chronic illness. It would be pertinent to mention here that such illness would not take a toll on your health physically and emotionally, but would also hamper your financial condition. You would be required to spend a fortune on treating the medical condition. 

However, for DOE employees presently sick, there have been several programs specifically designed to ease the financial burden along with patients managing their daily routines. It would not be wrong to suggest that such programs would provide you with free home healthcare services along with other available benefits to make it relatively easier for the people suffering from chronic illnesses. 

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act or EEOICPA has been specifically designed to provide various kinds of benefits to the employees of the Department of Energy or DOE. These employees would have become sick due to exposure to toxic substances or radiation. It would not be wrong to suggest that DOL EEOICPA would provide various kinds of benefits to survivors of DOE employees along with contractors or subcontractors exposed to these substances. 

It has been deemed imperative that all chronically sick DOE workers would be able to understand that not all illnesses would be covered under the EEOICPA. It would be pertinent to mention here that only occupational illnesses would be defined as the ones resulting from exposure to certain carcinogens and beryllium. If there were people formerly and currently employed by the DOE and have been suffering from chronic silicosis, they might also be covered under the act. 

If you suffered illness caused by the radiation within 1919 to 1992, lived in the area of testing sites or lived downwind of the testing sites would be eligible for EEOICPA benefits. The present employees of DOE may not be eligible for the EEOICPA benefits. 

Michael Murray