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 benefits awarded for coal workers' pneumoconiosis claims arising from last exposures occurring on or after Dec. 12, 1996. The division pays about $77 million in income benefits per year to about 10,000 disabled workers or surviving dependents. These benefits are funded by assessments levied on workers' compensation insurance premiums and collected by the Kentucky Workers' Compensation Funding Commission.

For more detailed 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 the director of the Division of Workers' Compensation Funds, 1047 U.S. 127 South, Suite 4, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, telephone number (502) 564-3070, extension 391.