The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund provides monetary awards to eligible responders and survivors who have suffered 9/11-related health conditions. In addition, it also compensates family members for the wrongful death of their loved ones in connection with a 9/11 illness, cancer, or disease. To obtain your rightful monetary recovery, you must register with the VCF before filing a claim.

Who Can Register with the VCF?

Registration is the first step in the process to secure a VCF award. However, all responders and survivors must meet certain eligibility requirements to file a claim with the VCF. Under the Zadroga Act, the following criteria must be met to recover compensation:

• Presence — Responders and survivors must establish proof of presence, showing that they were at Ground Zero or the area designated as the NYC Exposure Zone within the applicable time frame.
• Time frame — Responders and survivors must have been present in the NYC Exposure Zone in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks. This is the time frame between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
• Dismissal of any 9/11-related lawsuits — Any 9/11-related lawsuits must be dismissed, settled, or withdrawn in order to file a VCF claim.
• Certified health condition — A responder or survivor must have a 9/11 health condition certified by the WTC Health Program to obtain compensation from the VCF.

Importantly, it is not necessary to have a health condition certified by the WTC Health Program in order to register with the VCF — but certification of a 9/11-related illness, disease, or cancer is a requirement to file a claim for compensation.

What is the Process of Registering a VCF Claim?

It’s important to understand that registering with the VCF and filing a claim are two separate processes. A responder or survivor is not obligated to file a claim because they have registered with the VCF — registration merely preserves their right to file a claim in the future. To register, a responder or survivor must submit basic personal information and details about how they were impacted by 9/11. Claim forms and supporting documents are submitted at the time of claim submission.

While registration can be done online or over the phone with the VCF, it’s best to have a knowledgeable VCF attorney who can assist with registration and the claim filing process. Not only can a VCF attorney help a responder or survivor navigate the registration and claim filing processes, but they can also work to ensure delays are avoided — and compensation is maximized. Responders and survivors can register with the VCF at any time, regardless of whether they are sick. However, they must comply with any applicable registration deadlines, as described below.

What is the Deadline to Register with the VCF?

It’s crucial to understand the VCF’s registration deadlines. Failure to register with the VCF in a timely manner can result in being barred from filing a claim and recovering compensation. Although the October 1, 2090, claim-filing deadline is the same for everyone, the registration is different in every case. Specifically, an eligible responder or survivor has two years from the date of their most recent health certification to register with the VCF.

For those who have not been certified by the WTC Health Program, the two-year deadline will begin running on the date eligibility for 9/11-related benefits was determined by Workers’ Compensation or a New York City employer pension fund. Responders and survivors who have not been certified by the WTC Health Program and have no other determination that their condition is 9/11-related may register at any time. If a 9/11-related cancer, illness, or disease was certified before July 29, 2019, by the Program, the registration deadline has already been met,

In deceased claims, the personal representative of a victim must register with the VCF within two years from the date of the victim’s death or the date on which the VCF verified the condition was related to 9/11 — whichever comes later. If a victim previously registered to file a personal injury claim with the VCF before they passed away, the deceased claim is considered timely registered.

Contact an Experienced New York City 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Attorney

If you are a responder or survivor who suffered a 9/11-related health condition, you may be entitled to receive a monetary award from the VCF. A skillful VCF attorney can assist you with registration and guide you through the VCF’s claim filing process to help ensure you obtain the compensation to which you’re entitled. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., have represented claimants and their families in 9/11 VCF claims for over a decade. For a free consultation, contact us today.