Social Security to Help Asbestos Victims in Libby, MT
Article Added June 14th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
Social Security payments were normally kept from asbestos victims who were not of an age to qualify for the benefits. But the agency has revamped their plan for the residents of Libby, afflicted by asbestos exposure.
People living in Libby who are sick due to asbestos exposure will have another avenue of help on hand. The Social Security Agency, which had previously denied benefits to those afflicted with asbestos-related diseases, will now offer help and benefits to residents of the town. The agency’s regulations will be worked on in order to clarify them by the beginning of next week. The residents of the northwestern Montana town will receive benefits due to exposure to tremolite asbestos and those who had previously been denied may reapply for the coverage.
The payments will average about $1200 a month, though some recipients that are more advanced in their illnesses will receive up to $2200 a month. A now closed vermiculite mine in Libby released asbestos into the air, which has been blamed for killing more than 200 so far and affecting one out of every eight residents of the town. At this time, more than 1400 residents are afflicted, and between 300 and 500 new cases are reported each year from previous and current Libby residents.
Article Added June 14th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
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