Federal Black Lung Information

The Black Lung Benefits Act (BLBA) provides monthly payments and medical benefits to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) arising from employment in or around the nation's coal mines. This Act also provides monthly benefits to a miner's dependent survivors if pneumoconiosis caused or hastened the miner's death. The Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC), within the U.S. Department of Labor Employment Standards Administration's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), adjudicates and processes claims filed by coal miners and their survivors under the BLBA.

United States Code

The Black Lung Benefits Act: Provides monthly payments and medical benefits to coal miners totally disabled from pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) arising from employment in or around the nation's coal mines. Also provides monthly benefits to a miner's dependent survivors if pneumoconiosis caused or hastened the miner's death. 

The Administrative Procedure Act 

Code of Federal Regulations

20 C.F.R. Part 718: Standards for determining coal miners’ total disability or death due to pneumoconiosis

20 C.F.R. Part 727: Review of pending and denied claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act

20 C.F.R. Part 725: Claims for Benefits under Part C of Title IV of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, as Amended

New Health Care Bill

Section 1556 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148 (March 23, 2010)