The federal fund providing support for victims, family members, and emergency workers in or around the World Trade Center and the Pentagon is quickly running out of money.

First responders, workers, and volunteers who stepped up to help in the crisis aftermath did so at a cost — their health. Breathing in those toxic fumes from the building collapse and resulting cleanup has led to numerous cancer diagnoses years after the fact.

To recognize the toll that this took on affected victims and family members, the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund was authorized to enable payouts for those who qualified.

According to New York radio station WNYC, a group of New York lawmakers are currently pushing to pass a bill that would permanently finance that fund after reports that the 9/11 VCF payouts would be significantly slashed.

“Not only did the medical costs expand dramatically, but the program has expanded way beyond first responders,” an advocate told WNYC. “It is absolutely not surprising at all that the program is short of funds.”

According to an article in the Washington Post, the 9/11 victim fund will be cutting payouts by as much as 70 percent if no additional financial support is included.

In total, the fund has paid about $5 billion to more than 21,000 claimants. The total funding for 9/11 VCF payouts was $7.3 billion. Approximately, 700 of the claims lodged through that fund were for deaths that occurred many years after the attacks. The fund is currently figuring out how to cope with the 19,000 additional unpaid claims submitted by victims.

According to those managing the fund, while those who previously submitted and had their claims approved, received their payments at full value. claimants who are currently coming in now after receiving a diagnosis of cancer or other WTC related medical conditions covered by the fund will be paid at only 30 percent of the claim’s value.

The fund will discontinue taking all claims in December 2020 unless additional legislative action occurs.

Many of the victims of the World Trade Center attack are those who worked in and around the area when the buildings collapsed. According to Newsday, numerous people have been diagnosed with problems such as gastrointestinal illnesses, cancers, post-traumatic stress disorders, and respiratory diseases that have come with substantial medical bills.

All claims that were submitted prior to Feb. 1 will be reduced by as much 50 percent and those following that date would be reduced by 70 percent. Although the claims administrators have shared that they recognize the unfair aspect of this approach, without additional funding they have no way to pay the current claims being submitted and new claims expected.

Much of the medical costs for these victims expanded beyond what was expected due to the severity of conditions and the program was broadened beyond first responders. Many of the cancers that people have been diagnosed with in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks took years to develop and for the victim to obtain a diagnosis.

People report that they are just now being diagnosed with cancer and related medical conditions following the 9/11 attacks. If you or someone you know was scheduled to receive 9/11 VCF payouts, you may need to file your claims sooner rather than later to increase your chances of recovering any compensation.