FRANKFORT, Ky. (WMDJ) — Kentucky officials are calling on Congress to increase federal black lung benefits, an issue affecting thousands of coal miners and families across Appalachia.

According to a news release from the Governor’s Office, Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter Thursday to Kentucky’s congressional delegation urging support for the Support Our Minors Act.

The legislation would increase monthly black lung disability benefits to account for inflation and establish annual cost-of-living adjustments going forward. The Governor’s Office says a single miner currently receives $794 per month, compared with more than $1,200 if benefits had kept pace with inflation.

Several Eastern Kentucky communities have already passed resolutions supporting increased benefits, including Pike, Magoffin and Letcher counties, along with the cities of Hazard, Jenkins and Whitesburg.

Kentucky has more active recipients of federal black lung benefits than any other state, according to the Governor’s Office.