Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

As of July 2025, Missouri residents who are diagnosed with qualifying cancers may be eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). This federal program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division. More information about the program may be found here: https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca.

RECA Hotline: 202-228-4388

Missouri residents applying under the Manhattan Project Waste Exposure category (which includes those impacted near Coldwater Creek, Latty Avenue, etc.) should follow the steps below.

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Apply to DOJ – Individuals must first complete the correct RECA application (claim form). Missouri residents affected by Manhattan Project waste exposure should use the Manhattan Project Waste Exposure form.
  2. Check page 10 – On the DOJ form, the applicant must check the appropriate box on page 10 to authorize the DOJ to request verification directly from the Missouri Cancer Registry.
  3. Sign page 14 – Page 14 of the same application contains the release form that must be signed to permit the transfer of medical information. This is not interchangeable with forms from other RECA categories (e.g., the Manhattan Project).

FAQs

Yes, if you have the appropriate documentation establishing that you are legally entitled to receive this information. Please refer to the Department of Justice claim form for more information on required documentation.

The following information is needed:

  1. Copy of your birth certificate or papers of adoption.
  2. Marriage license(s) documenting all of your name changes, if applicable.
  3. Copy of your driver’s license.
  4. Proof of your current address such as an electric bill or other type of statement.
  5. A completed Request for Information Form.

The following information is needed:

  1. Copy of your birth certificate proving your relationship to the parent.
  2. Power of attorney paperwork or if deceased, the death certificate.
  3. Marriage license(s) documenting all of your name changes, if applicable.
  4. Divorce decree documenting that all marriages of the parents have ended.
  5. Copy of your driver’s license.
  6. Proof of your current address such as an electric bill or other type of statement.
  7. If you are a step-child of the person who became ill, send proof that their spouse was one of your natural parents and any records which show that you lived with the person who became ill in a regular parent-child relationship (for example, school records).
  8. Death certificates of any siblings that have passed away.
  9. A completed Request for Information Form.

The following information is needed:

  1. Copy of the child’s death certificate.
  2. Copy of the child’s birth certificate.
  3. Copy of your driver’s license.
  4. Marriage license(s) documenting all of your name changes, if different than the child.
  5. Divorce decree documenting that all marriages of the parents have ended, if applicable.
  6. Proof of your current address such as an electric bill or other type of statement.
  7. A completed Request for Information Form.

MCR’s records cover cancers diagnosed from 1984 forward among those people who were residents of Missouri at the time of their diagnosis.

Yes, they will make the request to MCR on your behalf if you check the box on the top of page 10. This will grant permission to the Department of Justice to request your record from the MCR.

In most cases, we will have the record for qualifying cancers that were diagnosed after 1984 for a Missouri resident at the time of diagnosis. Be advised that if the cancer diagnosis was recent, we may not have received the information yet at the time of your request.