It is one of the great privileges of my career to lead the incredible team at the VCF. As I mark my second anniversary as Special Master, I want to share some critical milestones in our work serving the 9/11 community. In the VCF 2024 Annual Report we announced that the VCF has awarded more than $14.9 billion to over 65,600 claimants since re-opening in October 2011. My staff has been working tirelessly to achieve this level of accomplishment and continues to innovate and streamline processes on behalf of our claimants.
Messages from the Special Master
January 16, 2025
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.
September 11, 2024
As we commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11th, we reflect on the profound loss and the enduring impact that day has had. While the resilience and collective healing within the 9/11 community are a paragon of strength and bravery, far too many individuals and families continue to suffer from the long-term health effects of these attacks.
May 30, 2024
May 30th Memorial Glade Commemoration
Today, as we recognize the anniversary of the rescue, recovery and relief efforts at Ground Zero following the horrific events of September 11, 2001, I wanted to take a moment to honor the resilience, unity, and unwavering dedication displayed by all those involved in the aftermath of that fateful day.
February 12, 2024
I was very proud to step into the role of Special Master in March 2023, particularly as a native New Yorker and someone who was raised to respect and value public service. In the months since, I have been struck by many things that I hadn’t fully anticipated – chief among them the need to inform the public about the VCF and to ensure that every person who might be eligible for a VCF award is aware of the program and has the resources and support they need to register and file a claim.
December 4, 2023
Stathi Patseas has joined the VCF as the Manager of Communications and External Affairs.
September 11, 2023
Dear Friends,
It has been 22 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. In thinking about my message on this day of commemoration, that number seemed particularly important. Out of curiosity, I checked. And while I am by no means an advocate of numerology, I found it interesting that the number 22 is thought to represent a sense of diplomacy and cooperation, combined with stability, hard work, and practicality.
May 16, 2023
Dear Friends,
The two months since I started as the new permanent Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) have flown by and have been both intense and rewarding. I have benefitted greatly from the training and guidance provided by the VCF’s excellent leadership team, and I am deeply moved by the commitment of the entire VCF team and their dedication in serving the 9/11 community.
March 10, 2023
It has been a true honor to serve as interim Special Master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”). This is an important mission and an incredible team that works hard every day to serve those who are suffering illnesses stemming from the terrorist attacks perpetrated over 20 years ago. It has been my goal to ensure continuity during the search and hiring of a permanent Special Master so that the good work of this team continued without delay, and I hope I have met that goal.
March 10, 2023
Dear Friends,
February 6, 2023
The VCF completed its 11th year of operation in 2022, a year that brought with it measurable progress, continued challenges, and notable transitions – the most significant of which was the departure of Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya in April 2022, after nearly six years of dedicated and extraordinary service at the VCF, and 27 years with the Department of Justice. Rupa’s far-reaching contributions will continue to benefit the 9/11 community for years to come, and she has my deepest gratitude for her service to this community.
September 9, 2022
Dear Friends,
The anniversary of the September 11th attacks is always a time for reflection. For me personally, this is the first anniversary since being appointed earlier this year as the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund’s (“VCF”) interim Special Master. Despite my relatively short time in this role, I have been touched by the stories in each claim I have reviewed, and deeply impressed by the perseverance, resilience, and humility of the community our team serves. Today, we continue to pay tribute to the lives lost and the community that came together during the recovery efforts in response to one of our country’s hardest challenges.
Message from the Incoming Special Master - August Flentje named Special Master for an interim period
April 29, 2022
It is an honor to step into the role of Special Master on an interim basis while the process to identify Rupa Bhattacharyya’s permanent successor is identified. I have been a career civil service attorney with the Department of Justice since 1998, and have managed several Civil Division components for temporary periods, including the branch that has responsibility over the operations of the VCF. In that capacity, I’ve worked with Rupa to help address issues that arise in the management of the VCF and am familiar with its functions and operation. I look forward to working with the VCF aga
February 24, 2022
Kimberly (Kim) C. Brown has joined the VCF as the Director of Operations. In this new position, Kim will focus on overseeing the VCF’s day-to-day operations in areas such as the Helpline and the processing of hard copy mail, identifying opportunities for innovation as the VCF continues to move into its long-term status stemming from the passage of the VCF Permanent Authorization Act.
February 9, 2022
The VCF successfully navigated another highly productive year in 2021, in a year that saw not one but two significant anniversaries: the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Zadroga Act, which created in the VCF, in January, and then the solemn reminder months later that twenty years have passed since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
February 16, 2021
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.
January 4, 2021
Ten years ago, on January 2, 2011, President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, which established the World Trade Center Health Program and reactivated the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).
September 11, 2020
Dear Friends:
This year, as we commemorate the 19th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we do so with even heavier hearts as we see the added struggle of those with 9/11-related health conditions, and the particularly severe impact of COVID-19 in New York. We realize that in the months ahead, we are likely to see claims on behalf of those who have a 9/11-related condition and have suffered or died as a result of COVID-19. I want to take this opportunity to assure the 9/11 community that, as with all claims, we will review each case on its own facts in view of the laws governing the VCF. We have posted to our website a specific FAQ that explains how the VCF will evaluate claims where COVID-19 may have been a factor in an individual’s death, and we will be updating this information as needed.
August 6, 2020
Dear Friends: I wanted to reach out directly and clarify some confusion that has arisen in recent days about September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) deadlines.
There are two deadlines in the VCF’s claim filing process: a Claim Filing Deadline and a Registration Deadline. It is important to distinguish between the two and be aware of which applies to your individual circumstances.
July 29, 2020
Today we mark the first anniversary of President Trump’s signing of H.R. 1327, the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.”
February 24, 2020
Anthony Gardner has joined the VCF as the Director of Communications and External Affairs, a new position created following the passage of the VCF Permanent Authorization Act.
February 19, 2020
This has been a year of many challenges, and significant changes for the VCF, greatest among them the July passage of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act (“VCF Permanent Authorization Act”), which secured the VCF’s funding for claims and amendments filed through 2090 (see page 5). This year also saw the departure of Deputy Special Master Jordy Feldman, who left the VCF after more than 10 years of superb and dedicated service.
November 21, 2019
Dear Friends,
It is with regret and pride that I announce that Deputy Special Master and Director of the New York Office, Jordana (“Jordy”) H. Feldman, has left the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund ("VCF") to accept a position to design and administer a proposed claims resolution program intended to help victims of sexual assault resolve their claims through a confidential, non-adversarial alternative to litigation.
September 6, 2019
Dear Friends
Today’s program statistics report for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) reflects steady progress: as of August 31, 2019, we have made awards to 23,850 individuals, some more than once due to an amendment or appeal, totaling almost $5.6 billion in awards.