Indiana County, PA backs call for more black lung benefits for miners

At the request of the Appalachian Citizens Law Center in Whitesburg, Ky., the Indiana County Commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution calling on the area’s federal lawmakers to support and vote for legislation to assist disabled miners.

“Thousands of coal miners disabled by black lung disease and their dependents rely on federal black lung benefits,” Commissioner Sherene Hess said, “including, in fiscal year 2024, 1,471 Pennsylvanians, of which 96 claimants reside in Indiana County.”

Commissioner Bonni S. Dunlap said $2,175,116.24 in disability and medical benefits were provided by the federal government to Indiana County residents in 2024, “providing an important financial lifeline to affected families and supporting the local economy.”

However, according to Brendan Muckian-Bates, an Appalachian Citizens Law Center policy and advocacy associate, whereas the original benefit of $144.50 per month in 1969 has increased over the years to $773, the value of those benefits has dropped by 30%.

If one accounts for inflation, that $144.50 in 1969 would be $1,172 today. In central Appalachia, he said, 16% of all coal workers have black lung, including one in every five who have 25 or more years experience in the mines.

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