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Long after hijacked airliners piloted by terrorists took down the World Trade Center towers in New York more than 22 years ago, fires burned below the fallen buildings’ rubble, emitting lethal toxins that posed long-term health problems for thousands of people.
Chronic health conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been a monumental struggle for thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors. Fortunately, help is available. For those who have developed GERD as a result of the terrorist attacks, medical monitoring and treatment are available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), and financial compensation is available through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). Understanding the condition and how it relates to the 9/11 terrorist attacks is the first step for responders and survivors in navigating the support that is available to them.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was created to provide financial relief to the individuals and families affected by the 9/11 attacks and subsequent rescue and debris removal efforts. Yet, receiving a VCF award brings forth a new challenge: How to wisely use the award money to secure a financially stable future, especially considering the long-term health conditions and possible terminal illnesses many victims face.
A Comprehensive Guide to 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Awards
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a federal compensation program that makes tax-free awards to eligible individuals who developed 9/11-related illnesses (such as any cancer) after they lived, worked, or went to school in the 9/11 Disaster Area (Manhattan south of Canal Street) between 9/11 and May 30, 2002.
The VCF is a federal program to provide financial compensation to individuals who were injured or lost loved ones as a result of their presence at one of the sites of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including all people present (first responders and civilian residents, workers, and students) of lower Manhattan south of Can Street present between 9/11 and May 30, 2002. The VCF provides for both economic and non-economic losses from 9/11-related injury or death to those who qualify.
Awards made by the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) are not subject to federal taxes, even any part of a VCF award that is to replace lost earnings or wages. IRS Publication 3920 is clear that any amounts awarded and paid by the VCF are not income subject to taxes: ”Payments from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 are not included in income.”
Published on LegalReader.com
Were you in Lower Manhattan for any reason between September 11, 2001 and July 30, 2002? Since then have you been diagnosed with any type of cancer or breathing condition? If so, you may be entitled to significant compensation and free lifetime medical care from the federal government. Congress passed the James Zadroga Act in 2010 and re-opened the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund to compensate victims and families for illnesses arising out of exposure to toxins in lower Manhattan after the Twin Towers fell. Sixty nine + different cancers are now covered and eligible victims may be entitled to hundreds of thousands of tax free compensation in addition to free lifetime medical care. However, navigating the federal bureaucracy to obtain these valuable benefits can be difficult for anyone – much less someone who is dealing with a serious illness.
Partner Troy Rosasco was quoted in the abc News 10 article NYS expanding awareness of 9/11 compensation program published on June 3rd.
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