“Right now this firm [Napoli Bern] is in a state of total crisis. “It is on the verge of going into free fall to complete disaster” and “the depth of hatred in this instance is extraordinary.”

The untimely death of these firefighters have given lawmakers even more of a reason to extend the 9/11 Bill. The Zadroga Bill is expected to expire in 2016 which will leave many first responders, area workers and survivors with 9/11 related cancers and other illnesses without free medical care. Both the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program are funded under the Zadroga Bill. If you have been diagnosed with a 9/11 related cancer before October 12, 2012, the deadline to register with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is October 12, 2014.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared in lower Manhattan as the special guest for the fundraiser sponsored by the New York State AFL-CIO and the non-profit 9/11 Health Watch, calling on Congress to pass legislation to extend the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act.

9/11 Health Watch is an organization that closely watches the operation and management of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to ensure that first responders and survivors get the proper medical care and compensation for their 9/11 related illnesses under the bill. Both the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program are all federally funded under the Zadroga Act.

Even after 13 years, many are just now being diagnosed 9/11 related illnesses. The most concerning is the amount of cancer cases that have been surfacing among responders and survivors recently. Many will still need care for their 9/11 related illnesses way after the program expires. For example, many 9/11 cancers may not be diagnosed until after 2016. This is just one of the reasons why it needs to continue. First Responders and survivors should be able to have monitoring and care of their 9/11 related cancer and other illnesses throughout their lifetime.

Today, many 9/11 first responders, survivors and area workers have been suffering with breathing complications such as chronic sinusitis, COPD and other pulmonary diseases. The most alarming are the increasing cancer cases coming out in staggering numbers among those exposed. When the ruling was passed in October, 2012 to include cancer as a 9/11 covered condition under the Zadrogra Act. There are now 62 different types of cancers that are recognized as a 9/11 related condition.

Senator Gillibrand in particular has been tireless in advocating for the 9/11 Community. She contacted IRS commissioner Koskinen who quickly took action and had the publication updated with a cover sheet to provide the proper guidance. The update makes it easier to understand the law and to clarify to the 9/11 community how to go about filing and the rules that apply. Needless to say, Senator Gillibrand has won another battle for both 9/11 responders, survivors and the families of those who died because of their 9/11 related illnesses and injuries. Now that the information is available, they can take advantage of the tax breaks they are entitled to.

In order to be compensated for 9/11 related illnesses or injuries, an individual will need to be determined “eligible” by the VCF by meeting certain criteria. There are 6,901 eligibility Claims that are on hold right now due to missing paperwork and information. The VCF will send correspondence to your law firm to alert them should these items be missing.

Since 2003, the 9/11 Volunteer Fund was only compensating those who were volunteering under agencies such as FEMA or the Red Cross. Advocates argue that this was unfair to those who had selflessly gone down Ground Zero on their own volition and strongly feel that these benefits were improperly denied. Just recently it was announced that the Workers’ Compensation Board will reconsider and offer workers’ compensation benefits to those who did not volunteer under an agency. According to a recent Newsday article, the appellate division will review “any re-opening/re-consideration requests for Claimants who have received decisions which were decided upon the volunteer affiliation basis.”

If you have been diagnosed with any 9/11 related cancer or illness, it is important to register with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund as soon as possible to reserve your right to file a future claim. Specific registration deadline dates apply for different circumstances. For more information about registration deadline dates and which ones apply to you, click here. It is also important to make sure that if you plan on applying to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, that your illnesses have been certified by the World Trade Center Health Program. Certification is an eligibility requirement of the VCF.