Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)
As of July 2025, Kentucky 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
Kentucky Cancer Registry Fax: 859-257-4177
Important Notice: We only process RECA requests by mail or fax. Please do not come to the Kentucky Cancer Registry in person, as we will not be able to process your request.
Kentucky residents applying under the Manhattan Project Waste Exposure category should follow the steps below.
Step-by-Step Process:
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Apply to DOJ
Individuals must first complete the correct RECA application (claim form). Kentucky residents affected by Manhattan Project waste exposure should use the Manhattan Project Waste Exposure form. -
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 Kentucky Cancer Registry. -
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
How far back do KCR records go?
KCR's records cover cancers diagnosed from 1994 forward among those people who were residents of Kentucky at the time of their diagnosis.
Will the Department of Justice obtain the KCR cancer record for me?
Yes, they will make the request to the KCR 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 KCR.
Is there a possibility that KCR will not have my record?
In most cases, we will have the record for qualifying cancers that were diagnosed after 1994 for a Kentucky 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.
