The Division of Workers' Compensation Funds (formerly Division of Special Fund) is responsible for the administration of the special fund and coal workers' pneumoconiosis fund. The special fund is liable for part of the income benefits awarded for occupational injuries and diseases resulting from incidents or last exposures occurring prior to Dec. 12, 1996, while the coal fund is liable for 50 percent of the income and retraining benefits awarded for coal workers' pneumoconiosis claims arising from last exposures occurring after Dec. 12, 1996. The division pays about $70 million in benefits per year to approximately 7,000 disabled workers or surviving dependents.

Benefits are funded by assessments on workers' compensation insurance premiums and severed coal collected by the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Funding Commission. For more information on the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Funding Commission, see their Web site at http://www.kwcfc.ky.gov/.

Questions concerning the special fund or coal fund should be addressed to Robert L. Whittaker, Director,  Division of Workers' Compensation Funds, 1047 U.S. 127 South, Suite 4, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, telephone number (502) 564-3083.

Other questions concerning workers' compensation should be directed to the Office of Workers' Claims, telephone number (502) 564-5550, (toll free 1-800-554-8601) or see their Web site at http://www.labor.ky.gov/workersclaims.