law judge, or the Benefits Review Board established under section 21(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act ( 33 U.S.C. 921(b) ). . 106. Attorneys’ fees and medical expenses payment program Part A of the Black Lung Benefits Act ( 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 403. Attorneys’ fees and medical expenses payment program (a) Program established (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2023 , the Secretary shall establish a payment program to pay attorneys’ fees and other reasonable and unreimbursed medical expenses incurred in establishing the claimant’s case, using amounts from the fund, to the attorneys of claimants in qualifying claims. (2) Qualifying claim A qualifying claim for purposes of this section is a contested claim for benefits under this title for which a final order has not been entered within 2 years of the filing of the claim. (3) Use of payments from the fund Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts in the fund shall be available for payments authorized by the Secretary under this section. (b) Payments authorized (1) Attorneys’ fees If a claimant for benefits under this title obtains a proposed decision and order from a district director with an award of benefits for a qualifying claim, or an award for a qualifying claim before an administrative law judge, the district director may approve attorneys’ fees for work done before such director in an amount not to exceed $1,500 and an administrative law judge may approve attorneys’ fees for work done before such judge in an amount not to exceed $3,000. The Secretary shall, through the program under this section, pay such amounts approved. (2) Medical expenses If a claimant for benefits under this title obtains a proposed decision and order from a district director with an award of benefits for a qualifying claim, or an award for a qualifying claim before an administrative law judge, such district director and