Eligibility

Do I qualify as an Idaho downwinder?

You may qualify for a $100,000 federal payment if two things are true.

1. Presence

You (or your family member) were physically present anywhere in the state of Idaho for at least 12 months between January 21, 1951 and November 6, 1962. Living, working, or going to school in Idaho all count. There is also a separate option for anyone present in an affected area for the entire month of July 1962.

2. Diagnosis

You (or your family member) were later diagnosed with one of the covered diseases — most major cancers are on the list, including lung, colon, breast, stomach, thyroid, and brain cancer, plus leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma. See the full list on our covered cancers page.

That's it. This program does not require you to prove the radiation caused the cancer. If the person was there during the window and had a covered disease, the law presumes the connection.

What is NOT required

You do not need a lawyer. You do not need every record from the 1950s — the DOJ accepts a combination of school, church, county, census, and utility records, plus sworn statements from neighbors or relatives. See our residency proof guide. You do not need to be an Idaho resident today; only during the test window. And there is no income limit.

Common questions

I only lived in Idaho as a small child. Do I count?

Yes. Age during the window does not matter. A person who was a baby in Idaho in 1955 and developed a covered cancer at age 60 qualifies.

My parent lived in Idaho then, but has passed away. Can the family still file?

Yes. Spouses, children, and grandchildren can file on behalf of a family member who has died.

We lived on a farm, not in a town. Does that matter?

No. The entire state of Idaho is covered — every county, every town, every farm.

I don't have any paperwork from the 1950s. Am I out of luck?

No. Most families can find proof — school records, church records, city directories, county records. Our residency proof guide walks you through every source with phone numbers.

Is this really from the government?

Yes. The program is called the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), run by the U.S. Department of Justice. Congress expanded it to cover all of Idaho in July 2025. You can verify everything at justice.gov/civil/reca or by calling the DOJ at 1-800-729-7327.

Not sure if this applies to your family?

No sign-up, no records required to start.

Take the free 2-minute eligibility check

Last updated July 2026.

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