If you are a 9/11 responder or survivor filing a claim with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, it’s important to understand that several criteria must be met. You must show proof of presence in the NYC Exposure Zone, establish that you have an eligible 9/11-related health condition, and provide proof of your economic losses. Importantly, all necessary information to support your claim must be included with your submission. Failure to do so can result in the VCF sending you a “missing information” letter.
What Is a Missing Information Letter?
A missing information letter may be sent if you fail to provide any information the VCF deems necessary to process your claim. This is a document that the VCF will send during its substantive eligibility review or initial compensation review of your claim if it does not have all the information needed to determine your eligibility or compensation. For example, if you are using Witness Presence statements as proof of your presence in the NYC Exposure Zone and they do not contain the required level of detail, your claim could be denied on that basis. Instead, the VCF may send a missing information letter to obtain the additional detailed information needed to establish your presence.
VCF missing information letters may also be sent if you do not provide:
- Sufficient proof of presence
- Validation for a personal representative
- Documentation that demonstrates your economic loss
- Information concerning collateral offsets
- Documentation verifying the timely resolution of any 9/11-related lawsuits
- Confirmation of an eligible health condition
Providing the necessary information to the VCF at the time you submit your claim is the best way to ensure your claim is processed in a timely manner. Critically, the majority of missing information requests sent by the VCF are for documents that should have been submitted with the initial claim. It is essential to respond to any missing information letter you receive within the timeframe specified in the document. If you do not respond to the letter within 14 days, the VCF will make a decision on your claim based on the information that is in your file at the time.
What Should You Do if You Receive a VCF Missing Information Letter?
The VCF handles each claim that is filed on an individual basis and authenticates each document that you submit. If you receive a missing information letter, it’s important to act promptly, as you only have 14 days to respond. The letter will explain why the documentation you submitted was not sufficient and specify what information is needed to correct the issue.
In the event you do not respond to a VCF missing information letter, your claim may be delayed or denied. However, a denial does not necessarily mean that you are ultimately ineligible to receive an award — it means that the documentation you submitted did not meet the VCF’s requirements. If your claim is denied, you may be able to request an appeal based on the instructions in your denial letter. You can then testify at an appeal hearing to support your claim.
Contact an Experienced 9/11 VCF Attorney
If you are an eligible 9/11 responder or survivor, it’s important to have a knowledgeable VCF attorney by your side who can help you navigate the claims process and ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. 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.