Officials Remind of Deadlines for 9/11 Victims, Responders

Those injured by or made ill from the events of 9/11 have less than three weeks to register for compensation from the government

Just two days before the 12th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and 24 days before the Oct. 3 deadline for most 9/11 first responders, recovery workers, and survivors to register for economic compensation through the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY-10), VCF Special Master Sheila Birnbaum, NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, union leaders, and 9/11 first responders and survivors joined together to draw attention to the important registration deadline ? which applies to most injured 9/11 first responders and survivors.

"As we near the 12th Anniversary of 9/11 we face the double task of offering the thanks of a grateful nation and exemplifying that gratitude by making sure that 9/11 first responders and survivors know that they may only have until Oct. 3 ? 24 days ? to register for compensation through the Victim Compensation Fund," said Maloney. "I would urge anyone who was injured or made ill by the toxins released that day to take the time to find out about the VCF and if they should register for it by the Oct. 3 deadline. Please do not delay."

The financial compensation available through the VCF applies to injured and ill 9/11 first-responders and survivors. Those sites include not only the World Trade Center, but the Pentagon and the Shankesville crash sites, as well.

Those who believe they are eligible for compensation can register by visiting the VCF's website at www.vcf.gov.

"Outreach events such as these have been very successful," said Sheila Birnbaum, 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Special Master. "In early July the VCF had over 20,000 registrations submitted, but as a result of the amount of outreach that has been done we now have over 27,000 registrations submitted.

The VCF website has a significant amount of information regarding eligibility and the registration process, but injured and ill 9/11 first responders and survivors should be aware of several facts:

Most must register by the Oct. 3 deadline, or they will not be able to file a claim.

You MUST register with the VCF ? even if you are enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program and are receiving its health benefits.

"We are very concerned that many people who are eligible for compensation may not be aware of this deadline," said Jim Melius, Administrator of New York State Health Laborers Health and Safety Trust. "They may not have heard about the deadline or believe that their participation in some other WTC program will take care of VCF registration. We need to get the word out to these people before it is too late,"

"We all know the catch phrase 'if you see something, say something, but in our case, 'if you know someone, say something.' We have come too far to leave anyone behind," said John Feal, 9/11 First Responder.