Long after the debris
from the Sept. 11, 2001
attacks was cleared,
families of those who
lived and worked in
Downtown Manhattan
are still grappling with
the very real long-term
consequences
of that day.
Two major federal programs
provide help to the victims,
their families and others affected
by the disasters that took
place that day.
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
The September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund, according
to its website, provides
compensation to “individuals
(or a personal representative of
a deceased individual) who
were present at the World Trade
Center or the surrounding New
York City Exposure Zone; the
Pentagon crash site; and the
Shanksville, Penn., crash site, at
some point between
September 11, 2001, and May
30, 2002, and who have since
been diagnosed with a
9/11-related illness.”
The fund extends to those
who helped clean up the disaster
site in roles such as construction,
clean-up, and debris
removal, as well as people who
lived, worked, or went to
school in the |
affected areas.
In 2019, President Donald
Trump signed a bill that permanently extended and funded
the program. The
Congressional Budget Office
said the extension would provide
more than $10 billion over
a decade. It extended the deadline
to file a claim to October 1,
2090.
To learn more, visit www.vcf.
gov.
World Trade Center Health Fund
The World Trade Center
Health Program is a limited federal health program administered
by the National
Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health, part of the
Centers for Disease |
Control
and Prevention. The program
pays for certain health care services
to first responders who
helped with rescue, recovery,
debris cleanup and related
support services between Sept.
11, 2001 and July 31, 2002, as
well as people who worked,
lived or attended school or
daycare in the World Trade
Center area. The program,
which has no co-pays, deductibles
or out-of-pocket expenses
for covered treatments is
authorized to operate through
2090.
Services are offered at clinics
in the New York metropolitan
area, and at a nationwide network
of health care providers.
According |
to the CDC, people
who were exposed to the conditions
in the area on and after
9/11 might have a related
health condition and not know it. Common issues include
chronic cough, heartburn and
anxiety. Health care providers
who participate in the program
are experts at diagnosing and
treating related health conditions.
Treatment data gained
through the program is used to
help identify related conditions
and help health researchers
understand the full effects of
9/11 on public health.
To learn more, visit www.cdc.
gov/wtc. |
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