Coal Operators Get New Forms for Black Lung Evidence and Claims
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor is asking for public feedback on a new form that coal mine operators must use to respond when asked for extra evidence or to a claim notice about black lung benefits. This helps make sure operators get timely info about their possible payment duties. Comments are due by November 16, 2026, and the goal is to keep the process clear and fair without adding extra hassle or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Coal operators must use CM-2970/CM-2970a
If you are a coal mine operator, you must use Forms CM-2970 and CM-2970a to indicate you will submit additional evidence or to respond to a notice of claim for Black Lung Benefits for claims filed after January 19, 2001. The Department of Labor estimates 8,230 respondents and 11,470 annual responses, with a total annual time burden of 2,644 hours and total annual other costs of $2,923; comments on this collection are due by November 16, 2026, and DOL seeks OMB authorization for three (3) years under OMB Control Number 1240-0033.
No penalty until OMB approval shown
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, no person is generally subject to penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid OMB Control Number. That means coal mine operators will not face penalties for failing to respond to these forms until an approved OMB Control Number is displayed.
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