30 U.S.C. § 925: Procedure for the determination of claims during transition period

Such claim shall be determined and, where appropriate under this part or section 9501(d) of title 26 , benefits shall be paid with respect to such claim by the Secretary of Labor. The Secretary of Labor shall promptly notify any operator who he believes, on the basis of information contained in the claim, or any other information available to him, may be liable to pay benefits to the claimant under part C of this subchapter for any month after December 31, 1973 . In determining such claims, the Secretary of Labor shall, to the extent appropriate, follow the procedures described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 919 of title 33 . Any operator who has been notified of the pendency of a claim under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be bound by the determination of the Secretary of Labor on such claim as if the claim had been filed pursuant to part C of this subchapter and section 932 of this title had been applicable to such operator. Nothing in this paragraph shall require any operator to pay any benefits for any month prior to January 1, 1974 . The Secretary of Labor may issue such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the purpose of this section.