N002036
Friday, January 18, 2002 4:19 PM
My comments to "The Federal Victims(Heroes) Compensation
Program"
My comments regarding the Federal Victims(Heroes) Compensation Fund are as follows:
1) The $250,000 non-economic payout is way too low. My sister was only 31 years old and was the mother of a 10-month old little boy. He will never get the chance to even know his mother.
2) The charts that are being used to calculate the economic payout are extremely outdated. Today, women work much longer then they did when these charts were formulated. Also, work performed in the home needs to be calculated in to the formula as well.
3) The fact that payments such as Life Insurance and Social Security Survivor's benefits are subtracted from the total is insane. In reference to the Social Security Benefits, it's like the government is giving with one hand and taking back with the other! In reference to the Life Insurance, why should people be penalized for the foresight of their loved ones?
4) Also, the fact that you have know way of knowing what your final payment will be until after you sign up for the program, thereby, giving up your right to sue if the total is too low is ridiculous. You should know exactly what your options are so that you can make an educated decision. You're talking about people's lives here!
I attended the rally in the Park Avenue Armory last night and everyone in attendance, and I'm sure many people who were not able to attend, have many of the same grievances.
In fact, Governor Pataki, Mayor Bloomberg and many other government officials voiced the same concerns.
If this program is truly meant to compensate the victims or victims' families, these grievances should be seriously taken into consideration.
As it is now the Federal Victims Compensation Program is an injustice and a disgrace.
If Mr. Feinberg truly cares about the families he will take the time to hear what we have to say and make the necessary changes so that the Federal Victims Compensation Program meets the needs of all those concerned and, in doing so, honors the memory of all those lost on September 11th.
Thank you.
Individual Comment
Middle Village, NY