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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress proposes easier black lung survivor benefits and aid for legal and medical claim costs

Also known as: Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(3)
Retiree
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Key Points

  • Makes it easier for a miner’s surviving family to qualify for benefits when the miner worked at least 10 years in coal mining and died with black lung disease.
  • Adds a new rule: if the miner was totally disabled by black lung while alive, the law will generally assume black lung helped cause the death unless an employer proves it played no role.
  • Applies to some newer and still-open claims, including certain claims filed up to 5 years before the law is enacted if they’re still pending.
  • Creates a Labor Department program to help pay claim-related costs in long-running, contested cases, including up to $4,500 for attorney fees and up to $3,000 for medical expenses.
  • Orders the Government Accountability Office to study interim payments, whether benefits are enough, and options to let survivors file another claim after a final decision.
Labor EmploymentVeteransHealthcareConsumer Protection

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 16, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Dec 16, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law

Labor Department sets up a program to pay capped attorneys’ fees and certain medical evidence costs in delayed, contested claims

If your black lung case has been contested and still has no final decision after 1 year, your lawyer may be able to get paid (up to the caps) without you fronting that money—once you win an award at key steps.

As soon as the bill becomes law, for eligible pending claims and recent filings

New easier-to-prove survivor standards apply to some past and current claims

Some survivors with claims filed as far back as 5 years before the law is signed—and still pending—could benefit from the stronger presumption that black lung contributed to the miner’s death.

Within 1 year after the bill becomes law

GAO completes reviews and sends reports to Congress about interim payments, possible benefit increases, and later re-filing options

This doesn’t change your payments right away, but it can set up future changes—like different payment amounts or different rules about paying back interim benefits if a claim is denied.

Related News

4 articles
Congressman Morgan McGarvey (official press release site)·3 months ago

McGarvey and Warner Introduce Bill to Support Families of Mine Workers Who Died of Black Lung Disease

Announcement of the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act, describing how it would reduce proof burdens for survivors seeking Black Lung Benefits Act payments and medical benefits.

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Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center·3 months ago

Congress introduces two bills to help coal miners access black lung benefits

Explains the survivor-focused bill (often called the “Widows’ Bill”) and how it changes presumptions so survivors don’t have to prove black lung caused death unless the operator rebuts.

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Congressman Morgan McGarvey (official press release site)·3 months ago

Endorsements for McGarvey Bills to Improve Black Lung Benefits for Miners and Their Families

Compilation of supportive statements from advocacy groups regarding the Relief for Survivors of Miners Act and related black lung benefits legislation.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Relief for Survivors of Miners Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 6757
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(10)
D: 10

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.