In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be or have been a coal miner, who suffers from an illness caused by pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), or you must be a widow or widower whose spouse died due to a work-related illness caused by Pneumoconiosis.

Present and former coal miners (including certain transportation and construction workers who were exposed to coal mine dust) and their surviving dependents, including surviving spouses, orphaned children, adult disabled children, and fully dependent parents, brothers and sisters, may file claims.