U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Breadcrumb

News

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master – Stathi Patseas joins VCF as Manager of Communications and External Affairs

December 4, 2023

Stathi Patseas has joined the VCF as the Manager of Communications and External Affairs.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master on the 22nd Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks

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.
Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master May 16, 2023

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.
Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master – Allison Lee Turkel named Special Master

March 10, 2023

Dear Friends,

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master – Auggie

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. 

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master – Eleventh Annual Status Report

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.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master on the 19th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks

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.
Messages from the Special Master

Special Master’s Message—Clarification on VCF Registration and Claim Filing Deadlines

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.   

Messages from the Special Master

Special Master’s Message on the Anniversary of the Signing of the VCF Permanent Authorization Act

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.”
Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master - Anthony Gardner joins VCF as Director of Communications and External Affairs.

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.
Messages from the Special Master

A Message from the Special Master - Eighth Annual Status Report

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.

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum

October 17, 2014

Fiscal Year 2014 was a very productive year at the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. In our first two years, we were focused on everything required to start a significant new program, including hiring staff, developing claim forms and ways to process those forms, and reaching out to prospective claimants to file their claims. This year, we were focused on processing and paying claims, and we have seen positive results.

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum

September 9, 2014

Every year on September 11th we reflect on the lives that were forever changed by that terrible day. At the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, we are working harder than ever to assist the survivors who have been injured as a result of 9/11. We have made great strides in the past year, resulting in 7,885 claimants being found eligible to receive compensation and issuing 1,843 compensation decisions totaling $493,768,674. But this somber anniversary is, for the Fund, not a moment to pause, but rather a reminder that we must increase our efforts and build on our recent progress.

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum

July 3, 2014

Today, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) issued updated program statistics. This report shows the progress we have made over the past few months. As of June 30, 2014, the VCF has issued 7,075 eligibility decisions and 1,145 compensation decisions. For the second quarter in a row, the number of issued compensation decisions has increased by more than 100% over the previous quarter.

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum

April 10, 2014
Updated VCF Program Statistics and Nell McCarthy joins VCF Leadership Team.
Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum - First VCF Appeal Hearings Convened

February 10, 2014

I am pleased to announce that the first VCF appeal hearings were held on January 29, 2014 at the VCF office in New York City.

All claimants have the opportunity to appeal the VCF decision if their claim is denied as ineligible due to such circumstances as missing proof of presence, or if a particular injury or illness is denied as ineligible. A claimant also has the opportunity to appeal a compensation calculation.

Messages from the Special Master

A message from Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum, on the special notice announcing updated claim forms available for cancer claimants

December 13, 2012

Dear Claimants,

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund has updated the Personal Injury and Deceased Individual claim forms to include the types of cancer that NIOSH has added to the list of WTC-Related Health Conditions. The updated forms are now available online through the Claims Management System.

You will find the eligible types of cancer listed in Part III of the claim form. Please see FAQ 3.21 for details on how to add cancer to your existing claim.

Messages from the Special Master

A message from Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum, on the special notice announcing certain types of cancer added to the list of WTC-Related Health Conditions

October 15, 2012

Dear Claimants,

The final rule adding certain types of cancer to the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions took effect on Friday, October 12, 2012.

Messages from the Special Master

Un mensaje de Sheila Birnbaum, Magistrada Especial, sobre el aviso especial que anuncia que se han agregado ciertos tipos de cáncer a la Lista de Afecciones de Salud relacionadas con el World Trade Center

October 15, 2012

Estimados Reclamantes: 
 
La norma definitiva que agrega ciertos tipos de cáncer a la Lista de Afecciones de Salud relacionadas con el World Trade Center entró en vigencia el viernes 12 de octubre de 2012. 
 

Messages from the Special Master

Wiadomość od Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum, dotycząca powiadomienia o określonych typach chorób nowotworowych, które zostały dodane do „List of WTC-Related Health Conditions” („Listy chorób związanych z wydarzeniami w WTC”).

October 15, 2012

Szanowni Państwo, 
 
Ostatecznie przepis, na podstawie którego dodano określone typy chorób nowotworowych do Listy chorób związanych z wydarzeniami w WTC wszedł w życie 12 października 2012 r.  
 

Messages from the Special Master

来自专案助理,Sheila Birnbaum的讯息- 关于宣布把某些类型的癌症纳入到与世贸中心(WTC)相关的健康状况清单的特别通知

October 15, 2012

尊敬的索赔人, 
 
关于把某些类型癌症纳入到与WTC相关健康状况清单的最终规定于2012年10月12日起生效。 
 
根据VCF的要求,如果您在2012年10月12日或之前,知道(或理应知道),身患被涵盖的癌症,您必须在2014年 10月12日之前提交您的索赔,以便让VCF进行审议。如果您在2012年10月12日后才知道患有被涵盖的癌症 ,那么,您必须在知道(或理应知道)患有被涵盖癌症之日起,两年之内,提交索赔,以便让VCF进行审议。例 如,如果您在2012年5月1日知道您患有被涵盖的癌症,您将必须在2014年10月12日前提交您的索赔。但是,如 果您在2013年1月1日知道您 患有被涵盖癌症,您将必须在2015年1月1日前提交您的索赔。 
 
已被确诊患有被涵盖癌症的个人,如果该癌症根据世界贸易中心(WTC)健康计划所制定的标准,被确定为因9/1 1袭击事件造成,同时,满足VCF的其他资格条件,就会符合资格,获VCF赔偿。有关VCF资格要求和纳入与WT C相关健康状况清单癌症类型的更多资料,请看VCF常见问题解答。 
 
此致, 
 
Sheila 

Messages from the Special Master

Statement on the final rule by the National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health to include certain cancers into the World Trade Center Health Program.

September 10, 2012

Sheila Birnbaum, Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), released the following statement on the final rule by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to include certain cancers into the World Trade Center Health Program:

Messages from the Special Master

Declaración Sobre la Decisión Final del NIOSH (Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Ocupacional y Salud) Para Incluir Ciertos Tipos de Cáncer en el Programa de Salud del World Trade Center

September 10, 2012

Sheila Birnbaum, Magistrada Especial del September 11th Victim Compensation Fund [Fondo de Compensación para las Víctimas del 11 de septiembre (VCF)], dio a conocer la siguiente declaración sobre la decisión final del Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Ocupacional y Salud (NIOSH) en la cual se incluyen ciertos tipos de cánceres en el Programa de Salud del World Trade Center:  
 

Messages from the Special Master

Oświadczenie Dotyczące ostatecznej Decyzji Narodowego Instytutu Bezpieczeństwa i Higieny Pracy W Sprawie Włączenia Niektorych Nowotworów do Programu Opieki Zdrowotnej WTC.

September 10, 2012

Sheila Birnbaum, Syndyk Funduszu Odszkodowań dla Ofiar z 11 września (ang. September 11th Victim Compensation Fund - VCF), wydała następujące oświadczenie dotyczące ostatecznej decyzji Narodowego Instytutu Bezpieczeństwa i Higieny Pracy (NIOSH) w sprawie włączenia niektórych nowotworów do Programu Opieki Zdrowotnej WTC:  
 

Messages from the Special Master

关于对国家职业安全和健康研究所把某些癌症疾病纳入世界贸易中心健康计划最终规则的声明

September 10, 2012

Sheila Birnbaum, 9/11 受害人赔偿基金特别助理,对国家职业安全和健康研究所把某些癌症疾病纳入世界贸易中心健康计划的 最终规则发表如下声明:  
 
“正如我先前所说,9/11受害人赔偿基金(VCF)基金将会遵循由负责世界贸易中心健康计划(健康计 划)运作的国家职业安全和健康研究所(NIOSH)的医生和科学家所主持进行的医学分析。如果个别 人士已确诊患有现已增添进健康计划中的其中一种癌症,该癌症根据健康计划制定的标准,被确定为因 9/11恐怖袭击所造成,同时,这些人士必须满足VCF的其它资格条件,那么,他们将有资格获得VCF赔 偿。这些标准包括,证明在2001年9月11日至2002年5月30日期间,身在坠机现场之一;证明特定的身 体状况是因恐怖相关坠机事件或坠机现场的残骸清理直接造成;以及证明身体伤害从被发现之日起,在 合理的时间内,得到医疗专业人员的治疗。”