09/21/2026
☢️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS & FAMILIES — RECA CLAIMS
Please share this information with your family, friends, Veterans, and community members. Many New Mexicans may now qualify for compensation under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
🇺🇸 NEW MEXICO DOWNWINDERS
Under the expanded RECA program, an individual may qualify as a Downwinder if they:
📍 Were physically present anywhere in the State of New Mexico for at least 1 year between September 24, 1944 and November 6, 1962;
OR
📍 Were present in an affected area for the entire period from June 30, 1962 through July 31, 1962;
AND
🩺 Were later diagnosed with one of the diseases covered by RECA.
Covered diseases include certain forms of:
• Leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Lymphoma
• Thyroid cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Small intestine cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Bile duct cancer
• Gallbladder cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Urinary bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Colon cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Liver cancer, subject to certain exclusions
• Lung cancer
💰 COMPENSATION
Qualifying Downwinders may receive a one-time lump-sum payment of $100,000.
If the qualifying individual has passed away, eligible survivors may be able to file a claim for the payment.
📄 WHAT SHOULD YOU GATHER?
You may need documentation such as:
✅ Proof that you lived in New Mexico during the qualifying period
✅ Medical records showing a qualifying diagnosis
✅ Identification documents
✅ Other supporting documentation requested by the Department of Justice
⏰ CLAIM DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2027
Do not assume that you or a family member does not qualify. Review the official eligibility requirements and documentation instructions provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.
💻 APPLY / GET STARTED ONLINE:
U.S. Department of Justice
Radiation Exposure Compensation Program (RECA)
👇 Use the official DOJ RECA Claim Portal:
https://reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal/s/Getting-Started?language=en_US
For complete eligibility information:
https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca
⚠️ PLEASE SHARE!
New Mexico played a unique role in our nation's nuclear history, and families throughout our state may be affected by this expanded program.
Even if this information doesn't apply to you personally, sharing it could help a New Mexico family that has been waiting decades for this opportunity.
🇺🇸 Please help us get the word out.The key points above—including statewide New Mexico eligibility, the covered cancers, the $100,000 Downwinder payment, survivor eligibility, and the December 31, 2027 deadline—come directly from DOJ's current RECA guidance.
[Official DOJ RECA Claim Portal](https://reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal/s/Getting-Started?language=en_US&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[DOJ RECA Eligibility & Program Information](https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
I can also make you a VFW Department of New Mexico RECA flyer/graphic with “New Mexicans May Qualify for $100,000” as the headline and a QR code going directly to the DOJ claim portal.
