The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a federal program that provides financial support to those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. If you lived, worked, or attended school in a qualifying area and developed a 9/11-related health condition, you have the right to file a claim with the VCF. However, you must first register with the VCF to preserve your eligibility to file a claim.
What Is the VCF Registration Process?
The VCF was originally established to provide compensation to people who were physically injured or who lost immediate family members. Over time, it became clear that the initial trauma was not the only impact on survivors. Many individuals began experiencing serious health issues linked to exposure to harmful materials.
In 2019, the federal government permanently reauthorized the VCF and funded it through 2090. Anyone with a 9/11-related health condition certified by the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program can file a claim with the VCF to recover compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Before filing a claim, you must register with the VCF. Registration informs the VCF that you may be eligible for compensation; this process does not waive your legal rights or obligate you to file a claim in the future. The VCF encourages potential claimants to register as early as possible.
Who Needs to Register with the VCF?
Anyone who may eventually file a claim with the VCF should register, even if they do not feel sick or hurt. These include:
- First responders who participated in rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, including firefighters, police officers, EMS personnel, and construction workers
- Debris removal and sanitation workers who loaded, transported, sorted, or processed material taken from the World Trade Center
- Residents, workers, students, teachers, and anyone else present in the New York City Exposure Zone during the qualifying period
- Personal representatives of deceased individuals who would have qualified for the VCF if they had survived
What Information and Documentation Do You Need to Register?
To register with the VCF, you will need to follow these steps:
- First, create an online account at claims.vcf.gov. If you cannot access a computer, you can register by phone through the VCF Helpline at 1-855-885-1555.
- Sign in with your username and password, then select “New Registration” from the welcome screen.
- Complete the required fields in each tab. The system will issue a claim number; save this number in a safe place for future reference.
- Review your entries carefully. If everything looks correct, select “Submit Registration,” then confirm by selecting “Finalize and Submit Registration.”
- Watch for the confirmation that your registration was submitted successfully. At that point, you can begin the eligibility section of your claim form or log back in to complete it later.
How Long Do You Have to Register with the VCF?
You must register with the VCF within two years of the date a government entity notifies you that your physical health condition is 9/11-related. Most often, this is your most recent WTC Health Program certification date. For deceased claims, the personal representative must register within two years of the victim’s death or the date the VCF verifies the condition that caused the death as 9/11-related, whichever is later.
Get Assistance with Your VCF Registration
VCF registration is straightforward, but it is only the first step in a longer process. At Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC, our lawyers help responders, survivors, and surviving family members register with the VCF, pursue WTC Health Program certification, and build evidence-based claims. Contact us today to learn more about your eligibility.