Also, we represent widows and survivors in obtaining pension benefits. Further, the miner must have been an employee of a coal company who signed a contract with the UMWA covering the date of injury and must have been performing a classified job covered by the contract. The UMWA Contract also allows for pension benefits based on the number of years a miner worked under the contract.
Entitlement is based on age as well as years of service.
Benefits entitled are determined under the contract according to the date of last employed. Federal Black Lung Benefits. Basically, the miner must have been entitled to benefits at the time of death. Since 1984 the UMWA Contract allows for widows or widowers benefits in some case if the miner would have been entitled to benefits at age 55. Eligibility usually is determined as to when miner would have been entitled to benefits.