The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund registration deadline is rapidly approaching. Depending on the date your 9/11-related health condition was certified by the World Trade Center Health Program, you may only have two months left to register with the VCF. If you fail to register before the July 29, 2021 deadline, you could potentially be forever barred from obtaining the compensation you deserve.

What is VCF Registration?

The VCF registration deadline is often misunderstood. It’s essential to be aware that the registration deadline is not the same as the claim filing deadline. Although you have until October 1, 2090 to file a claim for compensation if you were diagnosed with an illness linked to the toxins in the dust cloud, the earliest registration deadline is just weeks away. Importantly, you must register with the VCF before you can file a claim. 

Registration and filing a claim are two separate processes with different requirements. Critically, registering with the VCF does not obligate you to file a claim — it preserves your right to do so. If you spent any amount of time at Ground Zero or in the NYC Exposure Zone, it is vital to consider registering, even if you’re not sick or haven’t been diagnosed with a 9/11 health condition or cancer. Since many 9/11-related illnesses have long latency periods, they often do not appear until years later.        

Is the Registration Deadline the Same for Everyone?

The VCF will consider any claim submitted by an eligible responder or survivor as long as registration was timely. But even though the claim filing deadline is the same for everyone, the registration deadline might not be. Under the Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, July 29, 2021 is the earliest registration deadline. While all responders and survivors may register by this date, whether they must do so depends on their specific circumstances.

Those who are required to register with the VCF on or before the July 29, 2021 deadline include:

• Responders with eligible 9/11-related health conditions certified by the WTC Health Program prior to July 29, 2019.
• Survivors with eligible 9/11-related illnesses certified by the WTC Health Program before July 29, 2019.
• The personal representative of a responder or survivor who passed away as a result of their 9/11-related health condition before July 29, 2019.

Responders and survivors who were diagnosed with a 9/11 illness, cancer, or disease that was certified by the World Trade Center Health Program after July 29, 2019 have two years to register from the latest date of certification. In addition, if a survivor or responder passed away due to a 9/11-related health condition after July 29, 2019, the personal representative of their estate has two years from the date of their death to register. 

Contact a New York City 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Attorney

If you’re a responder or survivor who developed a 9/11 cancer or health condition, you may be entitled to receive an award from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. However, understanding the many regulations and deadlines involved with registration and filing a claim can be frustrating and confusing. It’s best to work with a knowledgeable 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund attorney who can guide you through the process to help ensure you obtain the maximum monetary recovery available to you.

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. have represented claims and their families in 9/11 VCF claims for over a decade. For a free consultation, contact us today.