§ 727.303 - Claims filed under section 415 of the act.

(a) A claim filed by a miner between July 1 and December 31, 1973, with the Secretary of Labor under section 415 of the act is subject to review under this section if it was pending or had been denied on or before March 1, 1978. Prior to the enactment of the Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of 1977, benefits with respect to a section 415 claim may have been payable by the Secretary of Labor from Federal funds for periods of eligibility between July 1 and December 31, 1973. However, under section 435 of the act, no benefits may be paid with respect to a claim reviewed under that section, including a section 415 claim, for any period of eligibility prior to January 1, 1974. Accordingly, in the case of any claim filed under section 415 of the act with respect to which no benefits have been awarded prior to March 1, 1978, for any period of eligibility between July 1 and December 31, 1973, no benefits which might have been awarded for this period shall be awarded in any adjudication of the claim taking place after the effective date of this part.

(b) A claim filed under section 415 of the act which is reviewed under this part shall for all purposes be considered as if it was filed on January 1, 1974, under part C of title IV of the Act.