9/11 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

NOTE: These are 3 separate programs. The World Trade Center Health Program and The Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund each has its own application process. The WTC Registry is now closed to new members.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program was established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. This program provides medical and mental health care to Responders and Survivors affected by the WTC disaster at no out-of-pocket cost. Survivors are people who lived, worked or went to school or daycare in the area. Survivors living in and around NYC are treated at the WTC Environmental Health Center. Those living outside of the NYC area have access to a nationwide network of providers. If you are a survivor and have a physical or mental health issue you think may be related to 9/11, you maybe eligible for the WTC Health Program. You do NOT have to be enrolled in the Registry to be enrolled in the WTC Health Program.

We are here to help you apply. Contact us at info@911ea.org or 212 330 7658.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Registry was established in 2002 by the NYC Department of Health to monitor the health of people directly exposed to the WTC disaster – those who lived, worked or went to school in the area of the disaster or were involved in rescue and recovery efforts. Enrollees completed an initial confidential health survey and were asked to complete follow-up surveys every few years, so that the Registry could track changes in their physical and mental health. The Registry closed to new members just after the initial survey was done in 2003-2004.

Survey findings are periodically published in medical journals. Please note that the Registry does not conduct medical testing and is not a treatment program. Being enrolled in the Registry does not mean you are enrolled in the WTC Health Program or the VCF and vice versa. For more information visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/wtc/html/registry/registry.shtml

September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

The VCF provides compensation for any individual (or personal representative of a deceased individual) that suffered physical harm, or was killed as a result of the 9/11 aircraft crashes and building collapses as well as the cleanup efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath. WTC responders, survivors, or next of kin can file claims for economic loss due to WTC physical health impacts. (Please note: unfortunately, mental health impacts are not compensable.) For additional information or call 1-855-885-1555 or visit www.vcf.gov.
 

APPLYING FOR THE SEPTEMBER 11TH VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND (VCF)

The fund is open to survivors (residents, students and area workers) as well as responders and volunteers who were present in the NYC Exposure Zone. This is the area of Manhattan south of the line that runs along Canal Street from the Hudson River to the intersection of Canal Street and East Broadway to Clinton Street and east on Clinton Street to the East River. See map.

Physical health conditions (including many cancers) that are eligible for compensation under the VCF are the same conditions that are covered under the World Trade Center Health Program. Therefore, it is easier to file and get your conditions certified if you are already being treated in the WTCHP. Please note that economic loss for mental health conditions is not covered by the fund.

9/11 Environmental Action is happy to assist anyone who would like to enroll in the health program. Contact us at 212-330-7658 or info@911ea.org.

Step 1- VCF Eligibility Form
You must first register by filing an eligibility form that when submitted, will give you a VCF claim number and recognize you as a claimant. It is free, easy to do and does NOT OBLIGATE you to file a complete claim. It will serve to hold a place for you if you decide to file a claim. The form is the first 6 pages of the full application and consists mostly of demographic information such as name address, date of birth, etc. You can request an eligibility form by phone (1-855-885-1555) or complete it online.

Step 2 -The Full Application
The bulk of the application addresses your physical health problems and your related economic losses. Medical and financial records are needed as well as timelines and proof of presence in the disaster area. It is recommended that you consider getting an attorney to file for you. The attorney will only get paid if you do get an award and the attorney is limited to collect 10% from your award. This percentage is set by the VCF to protect claimants.

For registration, application deadlines and detailed information on the VCF visit www.vcf.gov or call the VCF toll-free helpline at 855-885-1555 or 855-885-1558 for the hearing impaired. If you are calling from outside the US, call 202-353-0356. VCF staff is available Monday through Friday 8:30AM-5PM ET to assist you.