Your WTC Claim: Make Sure It’s Done Right

In January of this year, initial payments were made to 15 claimants from the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The recipients were all first responders currently experiencing respiratory problems. Depending upon the ultimate number of Fund claimants, payout figures may range from $10,000 to $1.5 million.

If you registered with the VCF and filed an Eligibility Form, it is important to ensure your forms were correctly filed and received. In April of this year, the Special Master appointed to oversee the VCF, Sheila Birnbaum, noted the Fund had received more than 2,000 forms without appropriately executed or completed documentation.

Particular problems with VCF forms commonly seen by the Special Master include:

• A lack of original, signed Attestations, Certifications and exhibits. If you filed online, you still need to forward original, executed documentation via regular mail.
• Many applications are missing accurate information for health care providers, attorneys and employers.
• In addition to employer contact information, your VCF claim must include Affidavits that attest to your presence in or on a New York City Exposure Zone. Including or forwarding these Affidavits that attest to your exposure are important to avoid claim denial.
• Claims for economic loss must be accompanied by documentation that details your loss including copies of medical bills and other invoices or expense statements.

Making a mistake on your WTC claim is easy to do and can usually be corrected when needed information is made available. If you are wondering about your claim, or if you know you are missing information, we can help.