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News

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master on the 21st Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks

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.
Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master – Rupa Bhattacharyya Farewell

April 29, 2022

Dear Friends,

Messages from the Special Master

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

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master – Kimberly (Kim) C. Brown Joins the VCF as the Director of Operations

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.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from the Special Master - Tenth Annual Status Report

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.

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 - VCF Program Update

October 23, 2013

October 3, 2013 was an important registration deadline for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Anyone who was diagnosed with a 9/11-related condition on or before October 3, 2011 for which they intend to seek compensation from the VCF must have registered with the Fund by the October 3, 2013 deadline.

Messages from the Special Master

A message from Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum

August 5, 2013

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia G. Houser as the Fund’s Director of Operations.

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum - VCF Program Update

April 8, 2013

On December 18, 2012, I posted to this website a message with very important information on the claim review process and tips for helping the VCF to process your claim as efficiently as possible.

Messages from the Special Master

Un mensaje de la Auxiliar Judicial, Sheila Birnbaum – Actualización del Programa VC

April 8, 2013

El 18 de diciembre de 2012 publiqué en este sitio web un mensaje con información  importante sobre el proceso de análisis de reclamos y sugerencias que ayudarían al VCF a procesar los reclamos de la manera más eficaz posible. Haga clic aquí si desea leer el mensaje completo.  
 

Messages from the Special Master

Komunikat od Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum – Aktualizacja dotycząca programu VCF

April 8, 2013

W dniu 18 grudnia 2012 roku w tej witrynie internetowej opublikowałam bardzo ważne informacje dotyczące procesu rozpatrywania wniosków oraz wskazówki dotyczące umożliwienia VCF rozparzenia wniosków w jak najszybszym terminie. Aby przeczytać cały komunikat, proszę kliknąć tutaj.  
 

Messages from the Special Master

来自专案助理 Sheila Birnbaum的讯息 - VCF 计划更新

April 8, 2013

在2012年12月18日,我在本网站发布了一则消息,这则消息传递了有关索赔审查过程和协助VCF尽可 能高效率地处理您的索赔的秘诀的非常重要的信息。请点击这里,阅读完整的讯息。  
 
作为这则消息的一部分,我解释过, VCF 的审查过程就会开始,如果 VCF 都收到了您的《资格表》,经 签署的证明书,认证书,和附件的原件, 使我们能够从其他机构提取有关您的索赔资料。许多组织要求 我们提供签名的原件,因此,您必须通过邮递向VCF提交这些文件。如果您在线提交索赔,同时,上传 了这些文件的副本,在有效地审查您的索赔前,我们仍然需要收到这些经签署文件的原件。 
 
截至 2013 年 4 月 5 日,我们收到的有超过 2,770 份《资格表》》,是没有附上与之相关的证明 书,认证书 ,和 / 或附物的原件。这些索赔不可能得到充分的审阅,直到我们收到一整套完整文件。 如果您提交了 《资格表》,尚未邮寄这些证明文件,我建议您立刻去办理。如果您对需要什么文件有疑问, 或需要VCF提供收到您的索赔文件的确认,请联系我们的免费援助热线:1-855-8851555。听力障碍人士,请联系1-855-885-1558 (TDD)。如果您从美国境外来电,请拨打1-202-3530356。 ****************  
 

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum

January 29, 2013

The VCF has started to issue award decisions to eligible claimants, including information on the amount of the initial pro-rated payment to be made by the VCF. Under the Zadroga Act, the total amount of money for the VCF must cover both claims and administrative costs. Of that total, the Act makes only 31% available during the VCF's first five years.

Messages from the Special Master

Un mensaje de Sheila Birnbaum, Magistrada Especial

January 29, 2013

El VCF ha comenzado a dar a conocer sus decisiones sobre las indemnizaciones para los reclamantes elegibles e información sobre el monto del pago inicial prorrateado que efectuará el VCF. Conforme a la Ley Zadroga, el monto total de dinero asignado al VCF debe cubrir tanto los reclamos como los gastos administrativos. De ese total, la ley pone solamente el 31% a disposición del VCF durante los primeros cinco años.

Messages from the Special Master

Komunikat od Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum

January 29, 2013

VCF rozpoczął wydawanie uprawnionym roszczeniodawcom decyzji z informacjami dotyczącymi pierwszych naliczonych płatności do przekazania przez VCF. Na mocy ustawy Zadroga, łączna kwota funduszy VCF musi pokryć wysokość roszczeń i koszty administracyjne. Ustawa przewiduje wypłacenie z kwoty ogólnej jedynie 31% podczas pierwszych pięciu lat istnienia VCF.

Messages from the Special Master

来自专案助理 Sheila Birnbaum 的讯息

January 29, 2013

VCF已开始向合资格的索赔人发出赔偿额裁定,它包括由VCF按比例初次支付的金额数目的信息。根据 Zadroga法,VCF的基金总额必须包括支付索赔金及行政费用两部分。法案规定在VCF的第一个五年内, 只能运用该总金额的31%。因为基金以这种方式运作,该法案要求VCF把赔偿金额分成两次支付给索赔 人:在第一个五年内,按比例支付第一笔金额,在第六年内,当更多的钱可以花费的时候,支付第二笔金 额。要了解有关 VCF如何计算第一笔金额的解释,请点击下面的链接。  
 
第一次付款的解释   
 

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