16% of US coal workers have black lung, and benefits for a miner and one dependent in 2024 are $1,100, $3,000 less than average cost of living.

Miners with black lung disease receive benefits not keeping pace with cost of living; benefits for a miner and one dependent in 2024 are $1,100, $3,000 less than average cost of living for a two-person household. 16% of US coal workers have black lung, and while cases decreased for decades, numbers are rising again, with miners being diagnosed at younger ages, impacting their work history and retirement funds.