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What are the Eligibility Requirements for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund?

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Through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), individuals (and representatives of deceased individuals) can seek financial relief for physical injuries that are related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and/or the subsequent debris removal efforts. As of October 31st, 2018, 40,315 VCF claims have been filed.

Many people have questions about whether or not they are eligible for compensation through this fund. Here, our New York City 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund lawyers provide an overview of the general eligibility requirements. If you have questions or concerns about your individual case, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm for help. We will get you answers.

You Must Have a 9/11-Related Physical Illness or Injury 

To be eligible to recover compensation, you must be able to establish you have an illness or physical injury related to the September 11th attacks. The conditions that are covered by the program have been determined by the World Trade Center Health Program. To review the full list of conditions covered by the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, please refer to the guide of covered conditions put together by the WTC Health Program. Please note the September 11th VCF only offers compensation for physical conditions.

You Must Prove Your Presence in the Exposure Zone

A claimant must be able to establish their presence in the exposure zone. To be clear, you can recover compensation if you were a first responder, construction worker, transit worker, volunteer, or simply a resident. They key element is providing proof of your presence in Lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, or Shanksville, Pennsylvania between September 11th, 2001 and May 30th, 2002. Valid proof of presence can come in many different forms. Indeed, in its document checklist, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund provides the following examples of documents that can be used to establish presence:

  • Employer records;
  • Pay stubs;
  • Mortgage receipts;
  • Utility bills;
  • Other contemporaneous documents; and
  • Signed and notarized affidavits.

You Must Register Your Claim By the Appropriate Deadline

Finally, you must file your claim by the appropriate deadline. The deadline in your case will vary based on the underlying circumstances. Regardless, there is no time to waste. If you believe that you or your family member may be entitled to financial benefits through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, you should reach out to an experienced attorney immediately.

Get Help From a 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Lawyer in New York City

At The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., our law firm has represented hundreds of first responders, police officers, firefighters, transit workers, and other volunteers in September 11th Victim Compensation Fund claims. We can help you navigate the legal process, so that you can get access to maximum available financial compensation.

We have office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the South Bronx, and the North Bronx, and our law firm operates three mobile office locations. Our legal team can literally bring our office to your home or workplace. To set up a free, no obligation consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

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