People who were working or living in Manhattan at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks may be eligible to participate in the World Trade Center compensation fund.

The World Trade Center compensation fund, formally known as the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund, was established by the federal government soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, to provide financial assistance to those who suffered physical damages and long term health complications from the toxic substances released from the collapsed buildings at the Ground Zero site.

The World Trade Center compensation fund provides this financial assistance tax-free, which is vital for people who developed cancer and other serious medical conditions from the deadly substances. In addition, people who lost loved ones can also apply to the WTC compensation fund to help cover funeral expenses, lost earnings, and other forms of compensation applicable for surviving spouses and children.

World Trade Center Compensation Fund

The World Trade Center compensation fund was originally closed in 2004, but was reopened on Jan. 2, 2011, after it was discovered that numerous people are continuing to be diagnosed with cancers and other serious illnesses as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Victims not only consist of people present at Ground Zero during the terrorist attacks, but also volunteers and first responders who helped with cleanup and rescue efforts. Over one million people were exposed to toxic substances such as asbestos, burnt jet fuel, aluminum and broken glass during the eight month cleanup period following the terrorist attacks.

The World Trade Center compensation fund has already helped thousands of people who have claimed millions of dollars in compensation.

The compensation fund will stay in operation until 2020, as President Obama signed a bill for its continuation in 2015.

Complications from WTC Attacks

Approximately 2,753 people were killed when the World Trade Center collapsed in the attack, but these attacks continue to create new victims over a decade later in the form of latent diseases. There have been over 70 different cancers linked to the toxic substances left in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Scientists have observed that substances like asbestos and burnt jet fuel can lay the groundwork for deadly diseases, which can take decades to develop into cancers like mesothelioma. For diseases with long dormancy periods, victims often receive latent diagnoses with limited treatment options.

The World Trade Center compensation fund not only helps with the medical expenses related to these illnesses, but can also help people who were forced to quit work prematurely and can no longer sufficiently support themselves. People who are eligible to participate in the World Trade Center compensation fund include, but not limited to:

• First Responders
• Firefighters, Police Officers, and EMTs
• Sanitation Workers
• Construction Workers
• City Workers
• Utility Workers
• Cleaners
• 9/11 Volunteers
• Out of State Responders
• Employees worked below Canal Street
• Residents who lived below Canal Street
• Students who attended school below Canal Street

With the numerous amount of people who were exposed to the deadly substances at Ground Zero, the World Trade Center compensation fund will be needed for some time to come.