On Oct. 15, 1990, Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which provides for compassionate payments to persons (or payments to their surviving beneficiaries) who developed diseases listed in 28 CFR 79 as a result of their exposure to radiation from US atmospheric nuclear-weapons testing or as a result of their exposure to radiation during employment as uranium miners or uranium millers. The Department of Justice administers RECA as codified by 28 CFR 79.

Under RECA, there are five categories of claimants: uranium miners, uranium millers, ore transporters, downwinders, and onsite nuclear-test participants. To receive compensation (be eligible for RECA benefits), a claimant must meet eligibility criteria as defined by 42 USC 2210 note and Public Law 106–245, RECA of 2000, Sections 4(a)(1)(A)(i) and 5(a)(1)(A) and by 28 CFR 79. A claimant must establish residence in a specified area during a specified period (downwinders claim), have participated in certain nuclear-weapons tests (onsite nuclear-test participants claim), or have been exposed to defined minimum levels of radiation in a uranium mine (miner claim) and have developed one of the illnesses listed in 28 CFR 79. Proof of presence may be established through a variety of records listed in 28 CFR 79.13. Written medical documentation (such as screening, medical referral, and follow-up services) is required in all cases to prove that the claimant suffered from or suffers from any of the conditions listed in 28 CFR 79.