Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

As of July 2025, Idaho Downwinders who are diagnosed with qualifying cancers may be eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act or RECA. This federal program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division. More information about the program may be found here: https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca.

Potential claimants should work directly with the Department of Justice to file your claim. The Department of Justice claim form includes a check box on the top of page 10 that will grant permission to the Department of Justice to request your record from CDRI.

NEW As of January 2026, you may file your claim online with the Department of Justice.

If you have any questions about obtaining your record, please call us at 208-489-1391.

FAQs

Can’t you just tell me over the phone if I’m in the registry before I go to the trouble of filing a claim with the Department of Justice?
Unfortunately, no we cannot. We are obligated by law to keep the information in the registry confidential and release it only as permitted. We take this very seriously and will not release your medical information without verification – a phone call or email cannot provide that proof of your identity.
Can I request a record for my deceased parent(s) or other family member?
Yes, if you have the appropriate documentation establishing that you are legally entitled to receive this information. Please refer to the Department of Justice claim form for more information on required documentation.
What if I don’t know what type of cancer my relative had?
Request the record from CDRI in advance and then you can decide whether to proceed with a claim with Department of Justice.
How far back do CDRI records go?
CDRI’s records cover cancers diagnosed from 1971 forward among those people who were residents of Idaho at the time of their diagnosis.
Will the Department of Justice obtain the CDRI cancer record for me?
Yes. If you want to file your claim solely through the Department of Justice, they will make the request to CDRI on your behalf. The Department of Justice paper claim form includes a check box on the top of page 10 that will grant permission to the Department of Justice to request your record from CDRI. You should find a similar option in their online claim portal.
Is there a possibility that CDRI will not have my record?
In most cases, we will have the record for qualifying cancers that were diagnosed after 1970 for an Idaho resident at the time of diagnosis. Be advised that if the cancer diagnosis was recent, we may not have received the information yet at the time of your request.