September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) Registration Deadline is October 3, 2013

Courtesy of Special Master Sheila Birnbaum There are only eight days before the October 3rd deadline for many injured or ill 9/11 responders and survivors to register with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). I urge all eligible responders and survivors to register without delay. Potential claimants can easily register on the VCF website; registration takes just a few minutes. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act, signed by President Obama in 2011, extends eligibility for the VCF to September 11th first responders and other members of the community who suffered physical injuries and illness as a result of the 2001 terrorist attacks or with the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath. Our website is simple to navigate and additional support is available if needed through a toll-free Helpline, 1-855-885-1555. Most responders and survivors must register by the October 3rd deadline, or they will not be able to file a claim and secure the financial assistance they deserve. To date, we have received a tremendous amount of support from the World Trade Center Health Program, local elected officials, unions, and civic groups in facilitating outreach sessions and alerting communities across our country of the impending registration deadline. We have received more than 10,000 new registrants in just 3 months. But, we aren’t stopping there; I am committed in the next few days to augment the outreach work that has already been done with a final push. Additional representatives have been added to the VCF’s toll-free Helpline to meet the anticipated increase in calls from individuals inquiring about the deadline or requesting guidance in connection with the registration process. VCF provides foreign language support: the Helpline is staffed with Spanish-speaking representatives and support is available in all languages through the use of highly skilled interpreters. Staff is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. If you have any additional questions, or would like further information, please call our toll-free Helpline at 1-855-885-1555. If you are a TDD user, you can call 1-855-885-1558. There are also comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions also available on the VCF website (www.vcf.gov).