Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

Many people who live in Lake St. Louis today may not realize that RECA, the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, could still apply to them based on where they lived years ago.

If you grew up in North St. Louis, spent time near Coldwater Creek, or lived, worked, or went to school in impacted parts of St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County during the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s, this may be worth a closer look.

If you lived, worked, or attended school for at least 2 years after January 1, 1949, in one of the covered Missouri ZIP codes and were later diagnosed with a qualifying cancer or other covered illness, you or your family may be eligible for compensation through RECA.

For Missouri applicants, claims should be filed under the Manhattan Project Waste category.

To help residents better understand the program, the Lake St. Louis Ambassadors are sponsoring a RECA presentation on April 21 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the CA Clubhouse, 100 Cognac Court, Lake St. Louis, MO 63367. Dr. Amanda Moehlenpah, RECA Program Manager from Senator Josh Hawley’s office, will be presenting. I attended her presentation a few weeks ago, and it was excellent. She will explain eligibility for Missourians, qualifying cancer conditions, covered ZIP codes, and how to apply for compensation.

This presentation is open to all Lake St. Louis residents. You do not have to live in the Community Association to attend.

Please do not rule yourself out based only on where you live today. Think about where you grew up, where you went to school, where you worked, and where you spent significant time years ago.

Helpful Resources:

Map of impacted areas: https://reca-missouri-resources.org/impacted-areas/

Missouri RECA information: https://www.hawley.senate.gov/reca/

Eligibility guidance: https://reca-missouri-resources.org/get-help/eligibility/

DOJ claims portal: https://reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal/s/?language=en_US

Questions or help:

Missouri RECA hotline: (202) 228-4388

DOJ RECA program: 1-800-729-7327

Deadline to file: December 31, 2027

Please share this with family, friends, and neighbors. Someone may qualify and not realize it because they are only thinking about where they live now, not where they lived years ago.