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Applying for any form of benefits from the federal government requires compliance with certain types of deadlines, and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is no different. The two most important deadlines VCF claimants need to pay attention to are the registration deadline and the claim filing deadline. Failure to meet either of these deadlines can jeopardize your claim. If you have questions about VCF deadlines, please read on or contact our VCF lawyers for more specific information.
The Registration Deadline
The VCF’s registration deadline is not the same as filing a claim; rather, it merely preserves your right to file your claim at a future date. You lose no rights by registering with the VCF, and doing so does not obligate you to file a claim; it serves only to notify the VCF that you are a potential claimant. The registration deadline varies according to the claimant’s individual circumstances:
- If your 9/11-related condition was certified by the WTC Health Program before July 29, 2019, you must register with the VCF by July 29, 2021. This deadline is two years from the date of the enactment of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Act. It provides an additional opportunity to register for individuals who may have missed previous deadlines because they did not know the VCF existed, that their condition was 9/11-related, that they were eligible to file a VCF claim, or that the VCF would exist past its prior 2020 end date.
- If your condition has not been certified by the WTC Health Program or if any of your conditions were certified after July 29, 2019, you may register by July 29, 2021, but you are not required to do so. You must register within two years of the latest date on which the WTC Health Program certifies your condition as being 9/11-related.
- If you are registering to file a claim for an individual who died of a 9/11-related condition before July 29, 2019, you must register with the VCF by July 29, 2021.
- If you are registering to file a claim for an individual who died of a 9/11-related condition after July 29, 2019, you must register with the VCF within two years of the date of the individual’s death.
In summary, the VCF’s registration deadline for conditions certified before July 29, 2019, is July 29, 2021; for all others, it is within two years of the date of certification or, for decedent claims, the date of death.
The Claim Filing Deadline
Once you have registered, you may then file a claim. The claim filing deadline is the deadline by which you must submit your official claim for compensation to the VCF and is the same for everyone: October 1, 2090. Although this gives all current claimants plenty of time, the VCF recommends that you file your claim as soon as you know the full scope of your losses.
Contact Our VCF Lawyers for More Information
If you are unsure of when, or even if, to register or file or claim with the VCF, our experienced attorneys can help you determine your best course of action. For more information, please contact the VCF lawyers at Pitta & Baione by using our online contact form or by calling us at 844-982-2667.
