I have great news to share with you! The online application process has started and we’ve received great feedback about the process. This is important for many reasons. First when you apply online you receive an immediate response letting you know your application was received. This is not your claim number. That will come later, but it is acknowledgement that the Department of Justice has received your paperwork and will eventually begin to process the claim. Up until this point, it was taking many months for people to be notified that their mail in claim was received.

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Second, you will be able to scan your documents individually so they can be uploaded at the online site. This means you are not sending sensitive documents in the mail and not waiting for them to be returned. The claim form is a fillable document that you can work on, save and return to as needed. I’m told that it has taken people as little as 30 minutes from start to finish. We encouraging people to file electronically if possible.

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Again, don’t be intimidated by the process. We have volunteers that will help you if needed. If you need help, contact us and we’ll find a volunteer to assist you. Or better yet, contact one of our Congressional members by going to their website or calling their offices and ask them for help. Their websites and phone numbers are listed here:

• Senator Lujan Home - Senator Ben Ray Luján

  • Phone 505-337-7023

• Senator Heinrich Home | Senator Martin Heinrich

  • Phone 505-346-6601

• Representative Leger Fernandez Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández

  • Phone 505-428-4680

• Representative Stansbury Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury | Representing New Mexico's First Congressional District

  • Phone 505-346-7681

• Representative Vasquez Representative Gabe Vasquez

  • Phone 505-208-4777

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We know many people that have successfully applied for the RECA compensation and have already received the funds. We’re elated about this progress.

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For more information or to apply online you can go to the DOJ website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/reca

If you decide to file via the US Postal Service please send your documents via certified mail, return receipt. You absolutely need to know that your claim has reached the DOJ and someone has taken possession of it. The process is moving slow so be patient. If someone from DOJ signs the receipt for what you’ve sent in, then at least you know that much has happened.

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There are organizations/attorneys who are soliciting people to use their services to file claims. They’ve been telling people they can guarantee success and they can get the claims they submit to the front of the line. These are not true statements. PLEASE THINK TWICE ABOUT WORKING WITH THESE PREDATORS AND DO NOT TURN OVER YOUR RECORDS TO ANYONE THAT YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT. Also, be aware that if an entity files a RECA claim on your behalf they will charge a fee and it could amount to as much as 10% of your total claim. They receive the check, deduct their fee, and then pay you. Why would you give up any of your claim when this is a process you can complete yourself?

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The TBDC has many volunteers who’ve been trained to assist with the application process when needed. If you need help please reach out to us.

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One of our main goals for 2026 is to get the word out about the RECA compensation and to get as many people cleared for the compensation as possible. We are currently working with the New Mexico Department of Health (NM DOH) to develop a Public Service Announcement that will inform people all across New Mexico about the RECA program. The NM DOH is also training staff in all 42 of their health offices as well as their call in line to be able to help with claims and direct people on where to go to get records.

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We continue to work with the NM DOH to encourage the New Mexico Tumor Registry to be forthcoming with the files they keep on behalf of the people of New Mexico. We should be given access to those records so that we can verify that the Tumor Registry is reporting accurately on our cases. If you are applying for the compensation and check the box authorizing the DOJ to reach out to the NM Tumor Registry for your records, you will have no way to verify what records if any exist about your cancer history. This can cause a delay in the processing of your claim or worse it can result in a denial. We'll keep everyone posted on our progress to compel the Tumor Registry to release our records to us so that we have what we need to file a successful claim.

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You can also view our training video at RECA TRAINING VIDEO.mp4

 

We need help! If you are interested in becoming one of our volunteers to help others apply for the compensation please contact us at tcordova@queston.net to sign up. We promise not to overburden you. Imagine the satisfaction that will come from helping one of your neighbors receive the compensation they deserve!