# § 924. Time for filing claims
**(a)** **Claims filed before December 31, 1973**
**(1)** No claim for benefits under this part on account of total disability of a miner shall be considered unless it is filed on or before December 31, 1973, or, in the case of a claimant who is a widow, within six months after the death of her husband or by December 31, 1973, whichever is the later.
**(2)** In the case of a claim by a child this paragraph shall apply, notwithstanding any other provision of this part.
**(A)** If such claim is filed within six months following May 1972, and if entitlement to benefits is established pursuant to such claim, such entitlement shall be effective retroactively from December 30, 1969, or from the date such child would have been first eligible for such benefit payments had section 922(a)(3) of this title been applicable since December 30, 1969, whichever is the lesser period. If on the date such claim is filed the claimant is not eligible for benefit payments, but was eligible at any period of time during the period from December 30, 1969, to the date such claim is filed, entitlement shall be effective for the duration of eligibility during such period.
**(B)** If such claim is filed after six months following May 1972, and if entitlement to benefits is established pursuant to such claim, such entitlement shall be effective retroactively from a date twelve months preceding the date such claim is filed, or from the date such child would have been first eligible for such benefit payments had section 922(a)(3) of this title been applicable since December 30, 1969, whichever is the lesser period. If on the date such claim is filed the claimant is not eligible for benefit payments, but was eligible at any period of time during the period from a date twelve months preceding the date such claim is filed, to the date such claim is filed, entitlement shall be effective for the duration of eligibility during such period.
**(C)** No claim for benefits under this part, in the case of a claimant who is a child, shall be considered unless it is filed within six months after the death of his father or mother (whichever last occurred) or by December 31, 1973, whichever is the later.
**(D)** Any benefit under subparagraph (A) or (B) for a month prior to the month in which a claim is filed shall be reduced, to any extent that may be necessary, so that it will not render erroneous any benefit which, before the filing of such claim, the Secretary has certified for payment for such prior month.
**(3)** No claim for benefits under this part, in the case of a claimant who is a parent, brother, or sister shall be considered unless it is filed within six months after the death of the miner or by December 31, 1973, whichever is the later.
**(b)** **Filing of claims after June 30, 1973** December 31, 1973June 30, 1973
No benefits shall be paid under this part after , if the claim therefor was filed after .
**(c)** **Effective date of claims** No benefits under this part shall be payable for any period prior to the date a claim therefor is filed.
**(d)** **Reduction of State benefits** December 30, 1969
No benefits shall be paid under this part to the residents of any State which, after , reduces the benefits payable to persons eligible to receive benefits under this part, under its State laws which are applicable to its general work force with regard to workmen’s compensation, unemployment compensation, or disability insurance.
**(e)** **Conditions upon payment** January 1, 1974section 921(c) of this title
No benefits shall be payable to a widow, child, parent, brother, or sister under this part on account of the death of a miner unless (1) benefits under this part were being paid to such miner with respect to disability due to pneumoconiosis prior to his death, (2) the death of such miner occurred prior to , or (3) any such individual is entitled to benefits under paragraph (5) of .
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 91–173, title IV, § 414, Dec. 30, 1969, 83 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 92–303, §§ 1(c)(1), (6), 5(1)–(3), May 19, 1972, 86 Stat. 151, 152, 155; Pub. L. 95–239, § 3(b)(2), Mar. 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 97; Pub. L. 103–296, title I, § 108(i)(2), Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1488; Pub. L. 107–275, § 2(a), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1925.)
## Editorial Notes
### Amendments
2002—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). substituted “Secretary” for “Commissioner of Social Security”.
1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). substituted “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary”.
1978—Subsec. (e). added cl. (3) relating to individuals entitled to benefits under par. (5) of .
1972—Subsec. (a). , §§ 1(c)(6), 5(2), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added pars. (2) and (3), and in par. (1) substituted “1973” for “1972” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (b). , §§ 5(1), (2), substituted “” for “” and “” for “”.
Subsec. (e). , §§ 1(c)(1), 5(3), substituted “widow, child, parent, brother, or sister” for “widow” and “1974” for “1973”.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Amendment by effective 90 days after , see , set out as a note under .
### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , The Public Health and Welfare.
### Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .