Notifying the Black Lung Program when someone dies
Family member is responsible for notifying the Black Lung Program
OverviewWhen someone dies
DCMWC National Office (Washington, DC)
Phone(202) 693-0046
Toll-Free1-800-347-2502
EmailDCMWC-public@dol.gov
Fax(202) 693-1395
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307 (Central Mailroom for all claim correspondence)
WebsiteVisit website→
DCMWC Survivor Claims (any district office can accept)
Phone1-800-347-2502
EmailDCMWC-public@dol.gov
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMon–Fri (national toll-free line)
C.O.A.L. Mine Portal (electronic document submission)
Phone1-800-347-2502
Timeline
Survivor claims involve an evidence-development phase that typically takes several months before a Proposed Decision and Order is issued. Survivors of miners already entitled on a lifetime claim may qualify for expedited adjudication. Once approved, monthly benefits are issued on the 3rd of each month (Part B, SSA-paid) or around the 15th of each month (Part C, DOL-paid). All Black Lung beneficiary payments are transitioning to electronic payment per the OWCP "Transition from Paper Checks to Electronic Payments" rule.
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified May 2026
When someone dies, the Black Lung Benefits Program (Black Lung Program) must be notified. The family member is responsible for notifying the Black Lung Program.
Notification deadline: No statutory filing deadline for survivor's claims, but benefits generally start no earlier than the month the claim is filed (with limited exceptions), so delays can permanently forfeit months of benefits..
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the Black Lung Program and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Confirm the miner's coal mine employment history. The responsible coal mine operator (usually the last operator that employed the miner for at least one year) may be liable to pay survivor benefits; otherwise, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund pays.
2
Gather the documents needed for the Survivor's Claim (Form CM-912):
- •Certified copy of the miner's death certificate identifying cause of death
- •Marriage certificate (for a surviving spouse claim)
- •Birth certificates for dependent children
- •School enrollment records for dependent children age 18 and over (if applicable)
- •Names and addresses of hospitals, physicians, and any autopsy provider who treated the miner
- •Any prior award or denial of state or federal workers' compensation for the miner
- •The miner's coal mine employment history (employers, dates, locations)
3
Complete and submit the claim forms:
- •Form CM-912 — Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act
- •Form CM-911a — Employment History (supplemental, required with CM-912)
- •Submit through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal (coalmine.dol.gov), mail to the Central Mailroom, or deliver to a DCMWC district office
- •A DOL DCMWC representative or Social Security Administration field office staff can assist with completing the forms
4
For survivors of miners not already entitled on a lifetime claim, DCMWC will develop medical evidence to determine whether pneumoconiosis caused or hastened the miner's death. DCMWC may request medical records and may ask a physician of its choosing to review the evidence. The survivor has the right to obtain medical evidence from a physician of their own choosing.
5
DCMWC issues a "Schedule for the Submission of Additional Evidence" describing its preliminary review. After receiving evidence, DCMWC issues a "Proposed Decision and Order" explaining the approval or denial. The decision lists options to request reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge.
6
Note the 30-day medical-evidence exchange rule: any "medical information" developed in connection with a Black Lung claim — examining or non-examining physician reports addressing the miner's respiratory or pulmonary condition, and related test results — must be sent to all parties (including DOL) within 30 days of receipt.
7
If the claim is approved, attorney's fees are paid by the liable coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (not by the claimant). A claimant is not liable for attorney's fees if the claim is denied.
Required Documents
- Form CM-912 (Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act) — fully completed
- Form CM-911a (Employment History) — supplemental form required with CM-912
- Certified copy of the miner's death certificate
- Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse claims)
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- School enrollment records for dependent children age 18 or older (if claiming augmentation)
- Names of all physicians, hospitals, and autopsy providers who treated or evaluated the miner
- Copies of any prior state or federal workers' compensation awards or denials related to the miner's disability or death
- Coal mine employment history — employer names, dates, and job titles
Timeline
Survivor claims involve an evidence-development phase that typically takes several months before a Proposed Decision and Order is issued. Survivors of miners already entitled on a lifetime claim may qualify for expedited adjudication. Once approved, monthly benefits are issued on the 3rd of each month (Part B, SSA-paid) or around the 15th of each month (Part C, DOL-paid). All Black Lung beneficiary payments are transitioning to electronic payment per the OWCP "Transition from Paper Checks to Electronic Payments" rule.
Survivor benefits
Survivor's Monthly Black Lung Benefits
Monthly cash benefits to eligible surviving family members of a coal miner whose death was due to pneumoconiosis ("black lung disease"), or whose death follows entitlement on the miner's own lifetime claim. Eligible classes under 20 CFR Part 725 include a surviving spouse (and certain surviving divorced spouses), dependent children, dependent parents, and dependent brothers or sisters who meet the relationship and dependency tests in the regulations. The 2026 base monthly rate for a single primary beneficiary is $793.60 under Part C claims (paid by the responsible coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund and disbursed around the 15th of each month) and $793.00 under Part B claims (originally approved by the Social Security Administration and disbursed around the 3rd of each month). Rates are set by Section 412(a)(1) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act at 37.5% of the base salary of a federal employee at GS-2, Step 1, and increase when the GS pay scale increases.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse, surviving divorced spouse, dependent child, dependent parent, or dependent brother or sister of a deceased coal miner whose death was due to or hastened by pneumoconiosis, or who was entitled to Black Lung benefits at the time of death. Relationship and dependency tests are set out at 20 CFR Part 725, Subpart B.
Amount: 2026 Part C: $793.60 (primary beneficiary), $1,190.30 (primary + 1 dependent), $1,388.70 (primary + 2 dependents), $1,587.10 (primary + 3 or more dependents). 2026 Part B: $793.00, $1,190.00, $1,388.00, $1,587.00 at the same dependent tiers. Benefit is offset if the beneficiary also receives certain state or federal workers' compensation awards.
How to apply: File Form CM-912 (Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act) plus the supplemental Employment History (Form CM-911a). Submit through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, mail to the Central Mailroom (U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307), or deliver to any DCMWC district office. A DOL or SSA representative can help complete the forms.
Learn more →Medical Benefits (Survivors of Entitled Miners)
The Black Lung Benefits Act provides medical coverage to entitled miners for the treatment of pneumoconiosis and related lung diseases. Medical benefits do not transfer to survivors after the miner's death; survivors who qualify receive only the monthly cash benefit described above. The Department of Labor reissued Medical Benefits Identification Cards (MBIC) in 2024 — surviving beneficiaries should retain their own MBIC if independently entitled but should not use the deceased miner's card after death.
Eligibility: Medical benefits are payable only to entitled living miners. Survivors are entitled to monthly cash benefits only.
How to apply: No application needed by survivors for medical benefits — they end at the miner's death. Survivors apply for the monthly cash benefit using Form CM-912.
Learn more →Augmentation for Additional Dependents
When a primary survivor beneficiary supports additional qualified dependents (for example, a surviving spouse caring for dependent children of the deceased miner), the monthly benefit is augmented above the single-beneficiary base rate. Augmentation tiers are set by statute and apply to both Part B (SSA-administered) and Part C (DOL-administered) claims. The same rate tiers apply to a miner's benefits during life and to survivor benefits after death — 150% of the base rate for one dependent, ~175% for two dependents, and 200% for three or more dependents.
Eligibility: Primary survivor beneficiary with one or more additional qualified dependents meeting the relationship and dependency tests in 20 CFR Part 725, Subpart B.
Amount: 2026 augmented totals (Part C / Part B): one dependent $1,190.30 / $1,190.00; two dependents $1,388.70 / $1,388.00; three or more dependents $1,587.10 / $1,587.00.
How to apply: Identify dependents on Form CM-912 and provide supporting documentation (marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, school enrollment for dependent children over 18, etc.).
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
The Black Lung Benefits Program is administered by the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC) within the Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. It pays monthly cash benefits and medical coverage to coal miners totally disabled by pneumoconiosis ("black lung disease") and monthly benefits to eligible surviving family members of miners whose deaths are attributable to the disease. The program operates under the Black Lung Benefits Act, 30 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.
Eligible survivor classes under 20 CFR Part 725 include a surviving spouse, a surviving divorced spouse who meets specific dependency tests, dependent children, dependent parents, and dependent brothers or sisters of a deceased coal miner. The miner's death must have been due to or hastened by pneumoconiosis, or the miner must have been entitled to Black Lung benefits at the time of death on a lifetime claim.
Form CM-912 — "Survivor's Claim for Benefits Under the Black Lung Benefits Act." It must be filed together with Form CM-911a (Employment History), which documents the miner's coal mine work. Both forms can be submitted electronically through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, mailed to the Central Mailroom in London, KY, or delivered to any DCMWC district office.
For 2026, the base monthly rate for a single primary beneficiary is $793.60 under Part C (claims paid by the responsible coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund) and $793.00 under Part B (older claims originally approved by the Social Security Administration). Rates are set by Section 412(a)(1) of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act at 37.5% of the base salary of a federal employee at GS-2, Step 1, and increase when the GS pay scale increases.
All Black Lung claim forms and correspondence go to the DCMWC Central Mailroom: U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307. Documents can also be submitted electronically through the C.O.A.L. Mine Portal at coalmine.dol.gov, which is faster and avoids postal delays.
If a coal mine operator (usually the last operator that employed the miner for at least one year) meets the criteria for responsibility under the Act, that operator or its insurance carrier pays the survivor benefit. Otherwise, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund — a federally administered trust funded primarily by an excise tax on coal — pays the benefit. DCMWC adjudicates which entity is liable as part of processing the claim.
The national toll-free number is 1-800-347-2502 (TTY 1-877-889-5627). DCMWC currently operates district offices in Charleston, WV; Columbus, OH; Greensburg, PA (physical office in Mt. Pleasant); and Pikeville, KY; plus a field office in Denver, CO. Each district office handles claims for assigned states. The full list with addresses and toll-free numbers is at dol.gov/agencies/owcp/dcmwc/districtoffices.
No. Black Lung medical benefits cover only the entitled living miner's treatment for pneumoconiosis and related lung diseases. They do not transfer to a surviving spouse or other survivor. Survivors who qualify receive only the monthly cash benefit, not medical coverage.
There is no statutory cutoff date by which a survivor must file, but benefits generally start no earlier than the month the claim is filed (with limited exceptions). Delay can permanently forfeit months of benefits, so survivors are encouraged to file promptly after the miner's death.
No, but a representative is often helpful in developing medical evidence. If the claim is approved, attorney's fees are paid by the liable coal mine operator or the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund — not by the claimant. A claimant is not liable for attorney's fees if the claim is denied. A DCMWC or Social Security Administration representative can also assist with the application at no cost.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 3 benefits through the Black Lung Program. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the Black Lung Program. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
DCMWC National Office (Washington, DC)
Phone(202) 693-0046
Toll-Free1-800-347-2502
EmailDCMWC-public@dol.gov
Fax(202) 693-1395
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307 (Central Mailroom for all claim correspondence)
WebsiteVisit website→
DCMWC Survivor Claims (any district office can accept)
Phone1-800-347-2502
EmailDCMWC-public@dol.gov
Mailing Address
U.S. Department of Labor OWCP/DCMWC, P.O. Box 8307, London, KY 40742-8307
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMon–Fri (national toll-free line)
C.O.A.L. Mine Portal (electronic document submission)
Phone1-800-347-2502
Timeline
Survivor claims involve an evidence-development phase that typically takes several months before a Proposed Decision and Order is issued. Survivors of miners already entitled on a lifetime claim may qualify for expedited adjudication. Once approved, monthly benefits are issued on the 3rd of each month (Part B, SSA-paid) or around the 15th of each month (Part C, DOL-paid). All Black Lung beneficiary payments are transitioning to electronic payment per the OWCP "Transition from Paper Checks to Electronic Payments" rule.
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified May 2026