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Overview of 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Eligibility
The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was enacted by Congress shortly after the terrorist attacks on the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001. The compensation fund was meant to provide financial compensation to those directly affected by the attack along with their families, reportedly in exchange for not suing the airlines whose planes were hijacked for the attacks. The fund was originally meant to distribute a maximum of $7.375 billion to victims and their families.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 was enacted to provide medical monitoring and financial assistance to first responders, volunteers, and survivors of the terrorist attacks. It was named after the late James Zadroga, an officer of the New York Police Department, whose death was allegedly caused by the toxic substances released from Ground Zero.
This law essentially establishes that financial assistance will be provided to those who suffered long term 9/11 health complications after being exposed to toxic substances that were released when the twin towers collapsed. The bill was signed by President Barack Obama in early 2011 and was reauthorized in 2015, with coverage extended until 2090.
Approximately 2,753 people were killed in lower Manhattan as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and people are still feeling the effects of that fatal day. Numerous people have either died or have been diagnosed with diseases allegedly caused by the toxic substances released at Ground Zero.
Toxins such as aluminum, asbestos, glass, and burnt jet fuel were inhaled by those directly in the onslaught, as well as the first responders and volunteers who were helping the fallen. Over one million people were exposed to these toxins during the eight month cleaning period, which spurred the federal government to established the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to help those who were suffering from long term health complications.
There have been over 70 different cancers linked to 9/11, and over 80,000 people have already received benefits from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and Zadroga Act.
In February 2019, the fund’s administrators announced they would be cutting payouts by as much as 70 percent, since funds were running out even faster as the original claim deadline of December 2020 approached. After a vigorous effort by advocates for 9/11 first responders and other victims, Congress responded by reauthorizing the fund through October 2090.
The people eligible to apply for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund include:
- 9/11 First Responders
- 9/11 Volunteers
- Firefighters, Police Officers, and EMTs
- Out of State Responders
- Sanitation Workers
- Construction Workers
- City Workers
- Utility Workers
- Cleaners
- Employees who worked at businesses below Canal Street
- Residents living below Canal Street
- Students attending school below Canal Street
The benefits a victim can receive under the Zadroga Act varies between circumstances, with factors including:
- Extent of Illness or Injury
- Recovery Prognosis
- Amount of Lost Wages
It is important to note that the 9/11 Victim Compensation fund does not just apply to New York residents, but to any person who was at Ground Zero between Sept. 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002. People can submit various pieces of evidence to prove they were there including credit card receipts, paystubs, and witness statements.
5 thoughts onWhat Is the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund?
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Is there an application to apply for compensation? My sister was a bus driver in the area of World Trade during 9/11 attack. She has become very sick with lung disease and other complications. How can she file for compensation? Thank you.
I was living in Oklahoma Less than one hour from where it happened our whole town was filled with ashes You felt the explosion the streets were crazy we were told to get our children I had to run cars were everywhere I had small babies three while I was running holding my 6mo my 6and 4 I had their hands under my belt in my pockets and were were ruining my kids were crying and scared coughing out faces filled with ashes my husband found us he grabbed our Two and we alll ran to our home to our storm shelter . We didn’t know what happened all wet knew was it was dark smoke and things were fallen out the sky. We later were told it devastated me I was in shock. I don’t know how they can put any stipulations on who how far it should be Oklahoma period .
What had happened to my family my father n law he died were DIDNT know things were happening from all that were were breathing. My breast are full with tumors that keep growing and more each time this is my third cancer watch there getting longer and longer this last one two yrs I test now twice a year I’m on a cancer watch I worry for my daughter she has lost the ability to be a healthy normal adult she has struggled greatly her life has been very rocky my daughter is mentally challenged she’s became difficult to deal with she started gaining weight we couldn’t explain it the doctor she cannot have any children I never checked any of this or thought it could have been due to what we inhaled my health was not what it used to be I’m not sure if what had happened is from this Tragedy but I can tell you something happened. When I saw what that building looked liked I wasn’t prepared I feel to my knees and cried images ran they my head off t people jumping screaming babies it was too much I never went back avoided the street for many years until the memorial. It brings no joy to know such hate exist. Many will never be there same .A world effected forever. It’ if not one it is all wet stand together If I need to I’m protect if I see it I’ll sound a alarm off I hear it I’m telling the law no one else if I see it and you should too
America the beautiful strong and never will we fall
I worked as a yellow cab driver all the time.
Suprisantly I started feeling some lingering pain in the hips,legs… I could not sleep for months until I decided to Maimonides Hospital….
I was diagnosed with a prostate cancer that may have already metastasized to the bone…Thanks God I am still alive.
I am the wife of an nypd officer he worked at ground zero and was then transferred to the Staten Island land fill working sifting through piles of debris looking for license, Id’s, wallets, jewelry anything that could identify some one that was killed by this senseless tragedy. My husband was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in the spring of 2004 he was 44 years old. way to young to get prostate cancer. Which was definitely caused by the actions of 911 but the wtc medical division would not certify his cancer because he got it in 2004 he should have gotten it in 2005 under there guide lines so they say its not solid cancer seriously there’s a time line of when you should get cancer’ He should have never gotten it to begin with! They need to change there regulations There playing games with peoples lives!