As the VCF has completed its 13th year of operations, the mission remains straightforward - to serve those who continue to be affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. First, and foremost, is our responsibility to review claims as quickly and fairly as possible. I am proud to report that in 2024, the VCF notified claimants of over 11,500 award determinations, with more than $1.9 billion awarded. This level of accomplishment is made possible by the tireless dedication of the entire VCF team. On page 7, and throughout this report, you’ll find the year-end numbers that reflect their extraordinary hard work.
There is clearly more work to be done. The VCF continues to receive an average of 700 new claims each month – a clear indicator of the importance of our ongoing mission. What’s more, as we get farther from the events of September 11, 2001, it becomes more difficult to reach those who were present at one of the three crash sites and have become sick from exposure to the toxins in the air. It is increasingly challenging for claimants to find documents needed to prove their presence, and, for many, to clearly remember the details that help us establish that presence.
For this reason, one of my highest priorities has been to expand the VCF’s outreach efforts, and to make navigating the claims process as straightforward and supportive as possible. We’ve made tremendous progress on both fronts, as you will see throughout these pages. A true highlight is our newly launched Interactive Presence Guide, which walks claimants step-by-step through a process to identify what type of documentation they need to submit with their claim or who they can contact for documentation. This is a big leap forward in ensuring no one feels lost or overwhelmed when submitting a claim. We also continue to partner with new entities to help strengthen proof-of-presence resources (see page 10) and to implement important changes to ensure that processes and policies are fair and equitable for our claimants (see page 6).
While I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, I remain acutely aware of how much more there is to be done. Far too often, I meet people who are unaware of the VCF, but may very well be eligible for compensation. That’s why, in support of our ongoing outreach efforts, I am urging everyone to join us as unofficial outreach ambassadors. If you encounter someone who might be eligible for compensation, please share our Helpline number (1-855-885-1555), or direct them to www.vcf.gov. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind.
Equally vital to our efforts to be claimant focused and friendly is our progress toward becoming a fully trauma-informed organization. Working closely with the Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance provider, we’ve enhanced our teams’ skills to better understand and support those for whom this process is not just administrative but may be traumatic and deeply emotional. We are determined to ensure that every interaction with the VCF reflects empathy and understanding, and that our staff is fully supported as well.
Along with my tremendous team, I look forward to the year ahead and to continuing our progress on all fronts. I encourage you to share this report, and, again, to join us in spreading the word about the VCF and encouraging all those who may be eligible to reach out to us.
Allison Turkel