Refer to Section 5 of the VCF’s Policies and Procedures for a list of circumstances when you must amend your submitted claim for the VCF to review new information.
IF YOU SUBMITTED YOUR CLAIM ONLINE
Access Your Claim and Confirm the Claim Status
- Log in to the claimant portal.
- Go to the Summary Table to check the status of the Eligibility and/or Compensation section(s) of your claim form.
- You will only be able to amend your claim if you have submitted your complete claim form.
Guidance for Specific Statuses
- “Incomplete” – Make changes to your information in the “Claim Details” tab (rather than the “Amendments” tab) of your online claim form before submitting your claim.
- “On Hold – Claimant Passed Away” – If the claimant passed away, you must use the “Add or Modify a PR or Guardian” amendment option before you submit an eligibility or compensation amendment. Only amend the personal injury claim if the claimant’s death is not believed to have been caused by an eligible 9/11-related condition. Review important instructions for steps to take if a claimant passes away after filing a personal injury claim.
- “Denied” – You must submit information specific to the reason your claim was denied for the VCF to re-evaluate the claim. For example, proof of an eligible 9/11-related condition using the “Add New Condition” amendment option; or new proof of presence, 9/11-related lawsuit, or timeliness information using the “Other Eligibility Amendment” option.
How to Submit an Amendment
- Click on your VCF claim number to get to the claim.
- Click on the “Amendments” tab where you can view previously submitted amendments or submit a new amendment.
- Click the amendment option needed:
- Add New Condition
- Other Eligibility Amendment
- Compensation Amendment
- Add or Modify a PR or Guardian
Remove PR or Guardian.
Note: Some amendment types may be inactive based on your claim type or status.
- Follow the steps provided in the window that displays. Each amendment lists the specific documentation requirements.
- Click the “Submit Amendment” button.
- Upload required documentation.
Uploading Documents to Support Your Amendment
Submit your amendment(s) before uploading any supporting documents to the online system. Submitting the amendment first ensures your claim will be properly prioritized for VCF review.
All amendments require supporting documents or information. The specific Amendment screens list the required document(s) based on the amendment type. You may also review the Document Checklist (Personal Injury or Deceased Claim) to identify the applicable documents.
Visit the Document Upload Guide for step-by-step upload instructions and a full list of document types.
AMENDMENT OPTIONS IN THE CLAIMANT PORTAL
1. Add New Condition
Use this option to add information about a new 9/11-related condition.
If the “Add New Condition” button is not active and you have already received a VCF award, you must submit a Compensation Change amendment before adding a new condition. You should only amend to add a new condition if you believe it will change your award. Once you have submitted the Compensation Change amendment, return to the Amendments page and the “Add New Condition” button will be active. You must submit both types of amendments before the VCF can review the new information.
NOTE: Do not amend your claim until the new condition has been certified for treatment by the WTC Health Program. The VCF cannot review your newly claimed condition until you submit your WTC Health Program certification letter. In certain very limited circumstances, you may be able to seek verification of the condition through the VCF Private Physician process. Information about the criteria to be a candidate for the Private Physician process can be found on the VCF website under “Forms and Resources.”
2. Other Eligibility Amendment
Use this option if your claim was denied and you are submitting new information for the VCF to review.
If you have not been notified of the eligibility decision on your claim you should upload any new documents to your claim rather than submitting an amendment.
3. Compensation Change
Use this option if you need to:
- Request reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses after receiving your initial award
- Withdraw a prior claim for lost earnings
- Claim loss of earnings on a prior non-economic loss only claim
- Submit an evaluation report or request consideration for the WTC Health Program Disability Evaluation Process
- Request compensation for Replacement Services
- Request non-reimbursed burial and memorial services costs (for deceased claims only)
- Claim additional non-economic loss
- Request review of collateral offset information
- Convert a prior claim for wrongful death losses to a claim for personal injury losses prior to death. Note: In the text box provided, explain that you are requesting to convert the prior claim for wrongful death losses to one for personal injury losses only.
4. Add or Modify a PR or Guardian
Use this option if:
- The Personal Representative (PR) or Guardian originally submitted in the Registration is no longer the claimant, or
- You are adding a Personal Representative to a personal injury claim because the victim passed away and you believe the victim did not die of an eligible 9/11-related condition. If the victim’s death is believed to be the result of an eligible condition, or if you are unsure if the death is related to an eligible condition, you should not amend the personal injury claim but should instead submit a new wrongful death claim.
Review the instructions on the VCF website for steps to take if a claimant passes away after filing a personal injury claim.
5. Remove PR or Guardian
Use this option ONLY if the victim no longer requires a Personal Representative (PR) or Guardian. If you need to identify a new individual to replace the current Personal Representative or Guardian, submit an amendment to “Add or Modify a PR or Guardian.”
IF YOU SUBMITTED A HARD COPY CLAIM FORM OR NEED TO SUBMIT YOUR AMENDMENT IN HARD COPY
1. Add a new 9/11-related condition: Submit a cover letter requesting to amend your claim to add the new condition(s). If you are being treated by the WTC Health Program for the condition, submit your WTC Health Program certification letter or call the VCF Helpline to notify the VCF that your condition has been certified.
NOTE: Do not amend your claim until the new condition has been certified for treatment by the WTC Health Program. The VCF cannot review your newly claimed condition until you submit your WTC Health Program certification letter. In certain very limited circumstances, you may be able to seek verification of the condition through the VCF Private Physician process. Information about the criteria to be a candidate for the Private Physician process can be found on the VCF website under “Forms and Resources.”
2. Add other eligibility information: Submit a cover letter requesting to amend your claim with details about the new information you are submitting. Mail the letter with the required supporting documents based on the type of amendment.
3. Add, change, or remove the Personal Representative or Guardian: Complete and submit Part I of the VCF Claim Form. In addition to completing this information, you must also submit the required documents that are needed to validate the representative’s authority to act on the victim’s behalf. If the supporting documents are not submitted, the claim will be deactivated and will not be reviewed until the necessary documents are submitted.
4. For all other amendments to your claim: Call the VCF Helpline at 1-855-885-1555 for instructions.