Rep. Crane Opens Door for Nuclear Test Compensation Under RECA Expansion

Representative Eli Crane is notifying Arizona residents that they can now apply for federal compensation related to Cold War nuclear testing exposure.

Eli Crane announced that applications have reopened for the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which provides $100,000 payments to people harmed by government nuclear weapons testing decades ago.

Who Can Apply

As we previously reported, the program covers people who lived in specific Arizona counties during nuclear testing periods or worked in uranium-related jobs:

• Residents of Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo, Apache, Gila, or Mohave counties between January 1951 and November 1962
• Workers in uranium occupations for at least one year between 1942 and 1990
• Individuals must have qualifying illnesses linked to radiation exposure

Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2027, through the Department of Justice website at justice.gov/civil/reca.

Background of Exposure

Between 1946 and 1962, the federal government conducted hundreds of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests during the Cold War. Radioactive materials from these tests traveled beyond test sites, affecting communities across multiple states.

Residents in these areas, called "downwinders," later developed cancers, kidney disease, lung conditions, and other serious health problems. Many suspected connections to the nuclear testing, but faced difficulties obtaining government recognition.

Arizona communities, particularly in Mohave County, experienced health impacts for decades without compensation or acknowledgment from federal authorities.

Legislative Action

The compensation expansion resulted from congressional efforts led by Representative Paul Gosar, who advocated for including previously excluded Arizona counties in the federal program.

Congress then incorporated the RECA expansion into comprehensive legislation signed by President Donald Trump. The Department of Justice was given instructions by the bill to update eligibility requirements and reopen applications for impacted areas.

“As part of the Big Beautiful Bill, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) has been reauthorized and expanded.” Crane stated.

After the law was passed, federal officials quickly revised the application process and posted new claim forms online for citizens of Arizona.

Application Process

Those who qualify can now request up to $100,000 in federal compensation for illnesses caused by radiation exposure. Residents have three years during which to collect the necessary paperwork and make full claims.

“The updated program now includes additional downwinders in northern Arizona and new categories of uranium workers,” Crane concluded.