Improvements coming to EEOICPA Process
The Government Accountability Office has given the Department of Labor suggestions on improving the EEOICPA Process.
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued a report on how the Department of Labor (DOL) reports on EEOICPA Decisions. The GAO examined three main things during this study:
- The extent that the Department of Labor follows it’s own procedures, specifically for Part E claims.
- How the Department of Labor captures new information on links between toxic substances and the diseases that affects them
- What the Department of Labor’s monitoring states about the adjudication process.
The GAO found that the Department of Labor’s adjudication process generally follows guidance and procedures for implementing the Part E of the EEOICPA program, but there were some inconsistencies in how they corresponded with developments of claims and to the claimants. While the writings did not change the official outcome of the claim, they were worded in an improper way that may have caused confusion with the claimants.
To help fix these inconsistencies, the Department of Labor has begun monitoring its process for responding to Part E claims. The GAO recommended that the Department of Labor takes steps to ensure that all decision letters receive supervisory review. Additionally, they recommended that claim examiners document whether or not they updated certain metrics prior to issuing any decision on a claim. The Department of Labor agreed with the recommendations and is working with the GAO to implement them.
This decision is a small but important change in the EEOICPA Claim Process. To make sure that changes in the EEOICPA Process do not harm your claim, it is important to work with an Authorized Representative such as ourselves. One of the many aspects of our service is to stay on top of all changes regarding filing claims so that you do not have to. If you have any questions regarding your claim or this change please contact us.
A full copy of the report can be found on the Government Accountability Office’s website.