As a result of the passing of the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act,” the VCF has been authorized to operate through 2090. Accordingly, the VCF realized that certain changes would need to be made to sustain the program and serve claimants in the coming years. The VCF recently announced its “Transformation,” a central effort of which is creating a new claims system that will launch in early 2024 called “myVCF.”
What are the VCF’s Goals for Transformation?
The VCF Transformation mission aims to reduce the amount of time it takes to issue awards to VCF claimants. The VCF has noted it will be streamlining business processes with automation to design a “victim-centric claims solution.” On its website, the VCF announced its five goals for the Transformation Mission:
- Transparency — The VCF seeks to increase visibility as to where claims are in the process and provide clearer guidance regarding claims submission.
- Sustainability — The Transformation mission will help the VCF sustain its operations through 2090.
- Enhanced claimant experience — The VCF aims to provide claimants with a user-friendly experience to help them understand the registration and claim filing requirements.
- Operational efficiency — The Transformation is intended to help the VCF reduce the time it takes to process a claim.
- Improved oversight & governance — The VCF aims to enhance its capabilities in order to manage performance by implementing analytics for quality assurance and enhanced fraud detection.
According to the VCF, the Transformation process will be ongoing through 2023 as they work to develop the myVCF claims system. This system is currently undergoing initial design and will include a simplified online claim form, resources and tools to provide guidance when needed, enhanced communication about the status of a claim, and an easy-to-navigate format. It is being constructed with the highest levels of security to safeguard claimants’ privacy.
How Does Transformation Affect Claimants?
The current claim system is still available, and the VCF will review and process claims as the Transformation mission is underway. If you have a currently pending claim, it’s important to ensure you have submitted all necessary information and promptly respond to any requests for missing information. The VCF will contact claimants and their attorneys regarding the steps that need to be taken in order to use the new system. The current claims system will ultimately shut down in early 2024, and all existing claim information will be transferred to the myVCF system.
Importantly, there are no changes concerning registration with the VCF when the new system is implemented. The same eligibility criteria concerning presence will apply as before, and the registration and claim filing processes will still be separate. Claimants must also have their 9/11-related health conditions certified by the WTC Health Program in order to submit a claim to receive a monetary award from the VCF.
Contact an Experienced 9/11 VCF Attorney
If you are a responder or survivor with a 9/11-related health condition, you may be entitled to a monetary award from the VCF. However, it’s essential to have a knowledgeable VCF attorney by your side who can help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. have represented VCF claimants and their families for over a decade. For a free consultation, contact us today.