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The deadline for certain 9/11 survivors, responders, and others to register for the 911 victim compensation fund (VCF) is quickly approaching. While the 2019 VCF Permanent Authorization Act extended the deadline to file a claim with the VCF until 2090, it extended the registration deadline for certain individuals only until July 29, 2021. Whether an individual will be affected by the July 29, 2021, deadline depends upon his or her unique circumstances. If you are not sure whether you need to register by the upcoming deadline, please contact us.
Registration Deadline vs. Claim Filing Deadline
There are two deadlines in the VCF claims process: the registration deadline, by which an individual must create an account with the VCF to preserve the right to file a claim in the future, and the claim filing deadline, by which an individual must submit a formal claim. The claim filing deadline is the same for everyone (October 1, 2090). However, the registration deadline varies according to each potential claimant’s circumstances.
Who Is Required to Register by the July 29, 2021, Deadline?
The July 29, 2021, registration deadline applies to two classes of potential claimants:
- Those who were certified by the WTC Health Program with a 9/11-related physical health condition before July 29, 2019.
- Those who are registering to file a claim on behalf of an individual they believe died of a 9/11-related physical health condition before July 29, 2019.
The July 29, 2021, registration deadline is two years from the enactment of the VCF Permanent Authorization Act. It was intended primarily to provide an opportunity for potentially eligible claimants who did not realize that the VCF would be in place beyond its former 2020 end date, as well as those who did not know of its existence or did not know that their condition was 9/11-related.
Who Is Exempt from the July 29, 2021, Deadline?
The following three classes of potential claimants are exempt from the July 29, 2021, deadline:
- Those who have not been certified by the WTC Health Program for a 9/11-related physical health condition
- Those with any condition certified after July 29, 2019
- Those who are registering to file a claim on behalf of an individual they believe died of a 9/11-related physical health condition after July 29, 2019
Potential claimants who fall into one of the above classes may register by the July 29, 2021 deadline, but are not required to do so. The registration deadline for those potential claimants is within two years of the latest date on which the WTC Health Program certifies their physical health condition as 9/11-related.
Contact Us for More Information About the 911 Victim Compensation Fund Registration Deadline
If you are unsure whether you are required to register for the 911 victim compensation fund before July 29, 2021, you may want to speak to an attorney who can evaluate your case and preserve your right to file a claim in the future. For more information, please contact a 9/11 attorney at Pitta & Baione by using our online contact form or calling us at 844-982-2667.
