A 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) has recently been set up to help victims and their loved ones of the 2001 terror attacks who were exposed to deadly toxins and developed cancer. These toxins were released into the air after the buildings collapsed, which resulted in numerous cancer cases and eventually spurred the creation of the $7.3 billion 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

As of last year, approximately $3 billion has been paid out from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. This amount exceeded the amount initially anticipated by Congress. 

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund was first created in 2001, with Congress distributing $7 billion before being closed in 2004. The fund was set up to help assist people who either died or were permanently injured by the toxic fumes left in wake of the destroyed buildings. 

VCF Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya stated agency officials are working on older claims, and are already providing financial assistance to victims who joined the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund in late 2015. Rupa further stated that the revitalization of the VCF will bring new hope to 9/11 victims and that this program is committed to “providing help to those who need it.” 

For the past six years, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund had made over 14,000 compensation evaluations including over 11,500 claims for first responders from New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, along with an additional 2,400 claims from lower Manhattan.

Overview of 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Injury Claims

When the World Trade Center fell, the citizens and communities surrounding Ground Zero were immediately impacted by the deadly debris that was released into the air.  These toxins included aluminum, asbestos, glass, and burned jet fuel, and scientists have analyzed the long-term health consequences of exposure.

It has been estimated that over one million people were exposed to these deadly toxins during the eight-month time span of the cleanup period, with over 70 types of cancers associated with exposure.

The federal government established the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to help these cancer victims, who have been forced to contend with the long-term health problems from exposure. Compensation from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is tax-free and is meant to cover medical expenses incurred from treatments and/or lost earnings after being forced to stop work. Victims who lost a loved one to wrongful death from cancer, are also eligible for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

People who lived or worked in an area near Ground Zero between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 31, 2002, and were diagnosed with cancer four years or more after exposure, may be eligible to join the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Victims eligible to receive money from the 9/11 Victim 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 of businesses below Canal Street
• Residents living below Canal Street
• Students going to a school below Canal Street