Libby asbestos victims to get benefits
May 24, 2006
Story courtesy Duane Williams, KLCB Libby News Radio
The way has been cleared for Libby asbestos victims denied Social Security disability benefit claims to be eligible.
Senator Max Baucus, working with Deputy Administrator for Disability and Income Support Programs, Martin Gerry said in a conference call on Wednesday, May 24, that a ruling establishing procedural changes to the Social Security Administration guidelines will allow Libby victims to receive benefits…benefits they have been entitled to all along.
The rule change clarifies the determinations concerning asbestos related disease to include the tremolite type of asbestos found in the Libby vermiculite deposit.
The issued ruling is binding on the decision process and will provide a “blueprint for making decisions” Gerry said. He expects a larger number of cases to be processed. How many people might qualify is extremely hard to identify because of the 20, maybe 30 year latency period before symptom present and how people, including children, were exposed.
The problem is one of an on-going ignorance in the medical and insurance community of the problems posed by the unique Libby tremolite asbestos fiber, its effects, and how it presents.
How do we get that information out? Baucus said by looking for funds to get more studies in Libby to document the difference between this asbestos fiber and what is more common; what the medical community understands.
The ruling clarifies the process and anyone who has been turned down for social security disability benefits should re-apply by contacting the social security field office in Kalispell or Baucus’s office.
Those benefits average $1,200 up to $2,200 dollars a month. Eligibility does not require employment with W.R. Grace. The benefit is for the length of the disease. In this case, Gerry said, it will most likely be for life.
Related Links:
KLCB Libby News Radio
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