Frequently Asked Questions About the Zadroga Act and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

What did the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act of 2010 do?

The Zadroga Act did two main things: it created the World Trade Center Health Program, consolidating and expanding several programs already in place, and it reopened the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to people injured before May 30, 2002 who did not qualify or apply for compensation from the first Fund.

How much money is available to the VCF?

Unlike the first VCF — the one established in 2001 that closed in 2004 — this second Victim Compensation Fund has a limited $2,775 billion appropriation. Of that, only $875 million is available in the first five years of the program to cover the program’s administrative costs as well as provide smaller initial payments to claimants. Some experienced observers have expressed concern that $2.775 billion will prove inadequate, especially in light of the recent inclusion of certain cancers among the illnesses and injuries covered by the VCF.

Is there a time limit on filing claims with the VCF?

In general, the Zadroga Act provides claimants two years from October 3, 2011 to register with the VCF. If you learned of a physical injury or harm resulting from exposure to 9/11 crash sites and debris after October 3, 2011, you have two years from the date you knew of or should have known of the physical harm.

How does the VCF differ from the WTC Health Program?

The VCF provides some financial compensation to people who suffered a physical injury or illness as a result of exposure to WTC and 9/11 crash site debris. The WTC Health Program does not offer any direct financial compensation, but provides medical care and monitoring for WTC-related health conditions.