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Para añadir, cambiar o eliminar un abogado de su reclamo, siga las instrucciones del  Formulario de Cambio de Abogado  y suba a su reclamo en línea el formulario completo y firmado. Una vez el VCF recibe el formulario completo con todos los documentos requeridos, haremos las actualizaciones pertinentes a su reclamo, incluyendo quién recibe correspondencia y quién puede acceder al reclamo en línea.

No, usted no necesita un abogado para presentar un reclamo con el VCF, y no se le da prioridad a los reclamos que son presentado a través de abogado sobre los reclamos presentados sin abogados. Nosotros evaluamos todos los reclamos siguiendo las mismas guías y calculando los reclamos con la misma metodología, sin importar que un abogado esta asistiendo con el reclamo. Tenemos varios recursos disponibles para asistir a los individuos a presentar su reclamo, incluyendo la línea de llamada que es libre de costo con representantes bilingües, e interpretes para cualquier idioma.

The VCF does not receive copies of your medical records as part of our information-sharing agreement with the WTC Health Program.  The WTC Health Program only provides the VCF with information that is used to determine whether you have an eligible, certified condition.  The information we receive from the WTC Health Program includes the name of the condition, the WTC Health Program category under which the condition falls (for example, Cancer or Upper Respiratory Disorder), and the associated medical diagnosis code.  If the WTC Health Program notifies us that you have been certified

No, the VCF and the WTC Health Program are two separate programs, each of which has its own registration process, eligibility criteria, and mission. The WTC Health Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides medical monitoring and treatment for responders to the WTC and related sites in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA; and for survivors who were in the WTC Health Program’s New York City Disaster Area during the required timeframe.

Yes, however, the VCF is required by law to offset any benefit paid by other collateral sources relating to the 9/11 attacks. As a result, USVSST Fund payments made to victims who are also eligible for compensation from the VCF, will be subject to offset by the VCF. To be clear, the VCF is required to offset USVSST Fund payments made on account of 9/11-related injuries to the same victim.

For more information, refer to Section 3.9 of the VCF’s Policies and Procedures.

To add, change, or remove the attorney on your claim, follow the instructions on the Change of Attorney Form and upload the completed and signed form to your claim.  Once the VCF receives the completed form and any required documents, we will make the appropriate updates to your claim, including who receives correspondence and who is able to access the claim online.

No, you do not need an attorney to file a VCF claim, and there is no priority given to claims submitted by an attorney over those without an attorney.  We evaluate all claims following the same guidelines and calculate all awards using the same methodology, regardless of whether an attorney is assisting with the claim.

While it is impossible to review the past year without mention of the enormous challenges presented by COVID-19, and its particularly severe impact on the 9/11 community, I am proud to report that the VCF’s work on their behalf continued with almost no disruption throughout 2020.

Email - VCF Website Update - January 5, 2021

Law Firm Tip Sheet posted for recent enhancements made to the Online Claims System.

Updated Policy and Procedures document posted with accompanying notes emailed to law firms.

Yes. In cases involving terminal illness or significant financial hardship, you can request that the VCF expedite the processing of your claim. The VCF considers “significant financial hardship” to include an imminent or pending foreclosure or eviction proceeding, utility cut off, or other similar circumstances, as demonstrated by appropriate documentation.

Dear Friends,

When Congress reauthorized the VCF in 2015, it extended the time for individuals to submit new claims – as well as amendments on existing claims – until December 18, 2020. The Reauthorization Act also directed me, as the Special Master, to periodically reassess the VCF’s policies and procedures to make sure that we prioritize claims for individuals who suffer from the most debilitating physical conditions, and that we do not exceed the $7.375 billion in funds appropriated to the VCF.