Payment amount

How much is the RECA downwinder payment?

$100,000. One time. Tax-free. Congress raised the payment from $50,000 to $100,000 in July 2025. It is a lump sum — not a monthly benefit — and it is not taxed as income.

How the payment works

If the person who got sick is living, the full $100,000 goes to them.

If the person has died, an eligible survivor may file. Priority runs: a qualifying spouse first (generally married to the person for at least one year immediately before their death), then children, then parents, then grandchildren, then grandparents. The single $100,000 payment is divided equally among eligible members of the highest qualifying group. One relative can begin the process, but the Department of Justice may require information and signatures from the other living members of that group.

The payment does not reduce Social Security or Medicare. Income-based programs like Medicaid or SNAP may treat it differently — talk to a benefits counselor before spending it.

Common questions

Can I be paid for more than one cancer?

The payment is one-time per person. A person cannot receive two downwinder payments. But if a family had several members who each got sick — for example, both parents — each person's claim is separate, and each can be worth $100,000.

How long does payment take after filing?

The Department of Justice reviews each claim and the timeline varies, especially now that the program has reopened and many families are filing. Filing sooner puts you earlier in line. The deadline to file is December 31, 2027.

Does the payment affect Social Security or Medicare?

No. The RECA payment does not reduce Social Security or Medicare. Income-based programs like Medicaid or SNAP may treat it differently — talk to a benefits counselor before spending it.

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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