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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

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya - Deputy Special Master Jordana (“Jordy”) Feldman departs VCF.

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.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

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.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

July 29, 2019

Dear Friends,

On July 29, 2019, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1327, The Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund ("VCF"). The VCF Permanent Authorization Act extends the VCF’s claim filing deadline from December 18, 2020, to October 1, 2090, and appropriates such funds as may be necessary to pay all approved claims.

Messages from the Special Master

Special Master Congressional Testimony

June 12, 2019

On June 11, 2019, the Special Master testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on The Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties with regard to H.R. 1327, legislation to permanently extend authorization for the VCF. View her full testimony.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

February 15, 2019
Today, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF” or “Fund”) publishes its Seventh Annual Status Report and the Third Annual Reassessment of Policies and Procedures required under the terms of the Reauthorized Zadroga Act, Pub. L. No. 114-113 (Dec. 18, 2015).
Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

September 7, 2017

Dear Friends,

Each year, as the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, the country is reminded of the unprecedented losses suffered. At the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”), we acknowledge the important milestones reached in providing support to victims and families, but we are especially aware of the lives that continue to be impacted. The anniversary is a time for us to reaffirm our commitment to the important work that still lies ahead, and to maintain strong and steady progress as we seek to award compensation.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

July 21, 2017

Dear Friends,

Messages from the Special Master

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

April 28, 2017

Dear Friends

Today, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) publishes its first Quarterly Report of 2017 and I want to take the opportunity to give you an update on our progress.

As of March 31, the VCF has rendered over 15,500 compensation determinations, including initial awards on new claims, and revised awards on claims with amendments or appeals. These determinations total over $2.48 billion awarded to VCF claimants.

Messages from the Special Master

Message from Special Master Rupa Bhattacharyya

March 13, 2017
Fifth Annual Status Report and Jordana ("Jordy") Feldman appointed Deputy Special Master.
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。” 

Messages from the Special Master

A Message from Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum, on the importance of filing a complete claim

August 15, 2012

Dear Claimants,

Our team is working hard to review claims and make eligibility determinations. Some of you have already received letters telling you that you are eligible for compensation. Many others will receive those letters in the coming weeks.

As we conduct these reviews, we have noticed that many submitted claims are missing critical information and the supporting documentation needed for us to make a decision.

Messages from the Special Master

Un mensaje de Sheila Birnbaum, Magistrada Especial, sobre la importancia de presentar un reclamo completo.

August 15, 2012

Estimados reclamantes, 
 
Nuestro equipo trabaja arduamente para evaluar los reclamos y tomar decisiones sobre la elegibilidad. Es probable que algunos de ustedes ya hayan recibido una carta en donde se les confirma que cumplen con los requisitos para recibir una compensación. Otras personas recibirán esta carta en las próximas semanas.