Office of the Ombudsman for EEOICPA: Role and Responsibilities

 
Office of the
Office of the
Ombudsman
Ombudsman
for EEOICPA
for EEOICPA
Role and Responsibilities
Role and Responsibilities
 
Authorized Representative Workshop
Oak Ridge, TN – April 11-12, 2023
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
 
 
In October 2004, Congress approved
legislation creating the Office of the
Ombudsman.
 
The Office of the Ombudsman is
independent from the offices within
the Department of Labor that
administer the EEOICPA.
 
 
All communication with the Office of
the Ombudsman is confidential.
 
2
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
Statutory Duties:
 
1.
Provide information regarding benefits
available under the EEOICPA and on the
requirements and procedures applicable to
the provision of such benefits.
 
2.
Provide guidance and assistance to claimants.
 
3.
Make recommendations to the Secretary of
Labor regarding the location of resource
centers for the acceptance and development
of claims – there are currently 11 resource
centers.
 
4.
To carry out such other duties as the Secretary
shall specify for purposes of this section.
 
 
 
3
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
ANNUAL REPORT TO
CONGRESS:
The Ombuds submits an annual report
to Congress detailing:
 
 
a) The number and types of
complaints, grievances and requests
for assistance received during the
year and;
 
b) An assessment of the most
common difficulties encountered by
claimants during the year.
 
 
4
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RESPONSE TO
THE ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS
:
 
The Secretary of Labor shall submit a
response to the annual report that:
 
A.
Includes a statement of whether the
Secretary agrees or disagrees with the
specific issues raised by the Ombudsman
in the report;
B.
If the Secretary agrees with the
Ombudsman on issues, describe the
actions to be taken to correct those
issues;
C.
If the Secretary does not agree with the
Ombudsman on issues, describe the
reasons the Secretary does not agree.
 
 
 
5
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
WHO WE ARE
My career began as a workers’
compensation attorney. I joined the
Ombuds office in 2012 and assumed the
Ombuds position in 2022.
 
Our office consists of myself and four
Policy Analysts:
Kim Holt – Policy Analyst
Steven Levin – Policy Analyst
Curtis Johnson – Policy Analyst
Tonya Taylor – Policy Analyst
 
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
6
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
HOW THE OMBUDS OFFICE CAN
HELP YOU:
 
Sponsor town hall meetings.
 
Attend/participate in outreach events
sponsored by other agencies and
organizations.
 
Provide information, guidance, and
assistance to EEOICPA claimants,
potential claimants, and EEOICPA
stakeholders.
 
7
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
HOW THE OMBUDS OFFICE CAN
HELP YOU:
 
Direct claimants and potential
claimants to the appropriate resources
and information.
 
Listen to your concerns.
 
Assess your concerns in our Annual
Report to Congress and make
recommendations to improve the
Energy program.
 
8
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
LIMITATIONS – THE OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN CANNOT:
 
Rule or make decisions on claims.
 
Make DEEOIC reverse or change a
decision.
 
Make Congress revise the EEOICPA.
 
Take DEEOIC to court.
 
Lobby Congress.
 
Act as an advocate.
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
9
 
 
IMPORTANT CLAIM FILE RECORDS
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
10
 
PURPOSE OF CLAIM FILE RECORDS
CHART
 
1. Identify the types of records
and evidence DEEOIC gathers
and relies upon during the
claims process.
 
2. You may request any/all of
these records from DEEOIC at
any time, as long as the 
request
is made in writing.
 
JOTG  Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
11
 
PURPOSE OF CLAIM FILE RECORDS
CHART
 
3. 
DEEOIC does not routinely
share these records with
claimants/ARs, with the exception
of IH and CMC reports, which are
shared when Recommended
Decisions are sent to claimants.
 
4. You may request records at
beginning of claim in order to
gather evidence needed for
treating doctor’s opinion, and/or
to identify any deficiencies in the
documents.
 
JOTG  Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
12
 
OFFICE OF THE
OMBUDSMAN
 
YOUR OPINION/FEEDBACK MATTERS:
 
The Department of Labor and
Congress are interested in what you
have to say.
The DEEOIC frequently makes
updates to policies and procedures.
If you have complaints, grievances,
requests for assistance, as well as
good things to say, we want to hear
from you.
You may contact our office by email,
phone, letter, or fax.
 
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop –
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
13
 
PRIVACY ACT WAIVER
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
 
14
 
OMBUDSMAN CONTACT
INFORMATION
 
Mail:
          
U.S. Department of Labor
 
Office of the Ombudsman
200 Constitution Ave., NW,
Room N-2454
 
Washington, D.C. 20210
 
Toll Free:
 
1-877-662-8363
Fax #:        
202-513-6895
Email:
  
 
ombudsman@dol.gov
Website:
    
www.dol.gov/eeombd
 
15
 
JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop – 
Ombudsman for EEOICPA
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The Office of the Ombudsman for EEOICPA plays a crucial role in providing information, guidance, and assistance to claimants under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. Established in 2004, the Ombudsman's office is independent and maintains confidentiality in its communications. The Ombudsman submits an annual report to Congress detailing complaints and common difficulties encountered, with the Secretary of Labor responding accordingly. Meet the team behind the office and learn about their statutory duties and responsibilities.


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  1. Office of the Ombudsman for EEOICPA Role and Responsibilities Authorized Representative Workshop Oak Ridge, TN April 11-12, 2023 Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program

  2. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN In October 2004, Congress approved legislation creating the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman is independent from the offices within the Department of Labor that administer the EEOICPA. All communication with the Office of the Ombudsman is confidential. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 2

  3. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN Statutory Duties: Provide information regarding benefits available under the EEOICPA and on the requirements and procedures applicable to the provision of such benefits. 1. Provide guidance and assistance to claimants. 2. Make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor regarding the location of resource centers for the acceptance and development of claims there are currently 11 resource centers. 3. 4. To carry out such other duties as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of this section. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 3

  4. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS: The Ombuds submits an annual report to Congress detailing: a) The number and types of complaints, grievances and requests for assistance received during the year and; b) An assessment of the most common difficulties encountered by claimants during the year. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 4

  5. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RESPONSE TO THE ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS: The Secretary of Labor shall submit a response to the annual report that: A. Includes a statement of whether the Secretary agrees or disagrees with the specific issues raised by the Ombudsman in the report; B. If the Secretary agrees with the Ombudsman on issues, describe the actions to be taken to correct those issues; C. If the Secretary does not agree with the Ombudsman on issues, describe the reasons the Secretary does not agree. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 5

  6. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN WHO WE ARE My career began as a workers compensation attorney. I joined the Ombuds office in 2012 and assumed the Ombuds position in 2022. Our office consists of myself and four Policy Analysts: Kim Holt Policy Analyst Steven Levin Policy Analyst Curtis Johnson Policy Analyst Tonya Taylor Policy Analyst JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 6

  7. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN HOW THE OMBUDS OFFICE CAN HELP YOU: Sponsor town hall meetings. Attend/participate in outreach events sponsored by other agencies and organizations. Provide information, guidance, and assistance to EEOICPA claimants, potential claimants, and EEOICPA stakeholders. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 7

  8. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN HOW THE OMBUDS OFFICE CAN HELP YOU: Direct claimants and potential claimants to the appropriate resources and information. Listen to your concerns. Assess your concerns in our Annual Report to Congress and make recommendations to improve the Energy program. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 8

  9. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN LIMITATIONS THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN CANNOT: Rule or make decisions on claims. Make DEEOIC reverse or change a decision. Make Congress revise the EEOICPA. Take DEEOIC to court. Lobby Congress. Act as an advocate. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 9

  10. IMPORTANT CLAIM FILE RECORDS JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 10

  11. PURPOSE OF CLAIM FILE RECORDS CHART 1. Identify the types of records and evidence DEEOIC gathers and relies upon during the claims process. 2. You may request any/all of these records from DEEOIC at any time, as long as the request is made in writing. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 11

  12. PURPOSE OF CLAIM FILE RECORDS CHART 3. DEEOIC does not routinely share these records with claimants/ARs, with the exception of IH and CMC reports, which are shared when Recommended Decisions are sent to claimants. 4. You may request records at beginning of claim in order to gather evidence needed for treating doctor s opinion, and/or to identify any deficiencies in the documents. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 12

  13. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN YOUR OPINION/FEEDBACK MATTERS: The Department of Labor and Congress are interested in what you have to say. The DEEOIC frequently makes updates to policies and procedures. If you have complaints, grievances, requests for assistance, as well as good things to say, we want to hear from you. You may contact our office by email, phone, letter, or fax. JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 13

  14. PRIVACY ACT WAIVER JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 14

  15. OMBUDSMAN CONTACT INFORMATION Mail: U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Ombudsman 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room N-2454 Washington, D.C. 20210 Toll Free: 1-877-662-8363 Fax #: 202-513-6895 Email: ombudsman@dol.gov Website:www.dol.gov/eeombd JOTG Authorized Representative Workshop Ombudsman for EEOICPA 15

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