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Are Autoimmune Diseases Covered by the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)?

July 16, 2025
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HomeBlogAre Autoimmune Diseases Covered by the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)?
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Key Takeaways

  • Scientific research has shown a connection between exposure to toxic dust and debris from the September 11th attacks and the development of autoimmune diseases.
  • A 2015 study identified rheumatoid arthritis as the most common autoimmune condition among those exposed, accounting for 37% of cases. 
  • A 2019 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology confirmed these findings and included both first responders and members of the general community.

No. However, scientific research has shown a connection between exposure to toxic dust and debris from the September 11th attacks and the development of autoimmune diseases. A 2015 study identified rheumatoid arthritis as the most common autoimmune condition among those exposed, accounting for 37% of cases. 

Other diagnoses included spondyloarthritis (22%), inflammatory myositis (14%), systemic lupus erythematosus (12%), systemic sclerosis (5%), Sjögren’s syndrome (5%), antiphospholipid syndrome (3%), and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (2%). 

A 2019 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology confirmed these findings and included both first responders and members of the general community. It found that individuals with high levels of dust exposure were nearly twice as likely to develop systemic autoimmune diseases. Community members diagnosed with 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder were nearly three times more likely to develop these conditions. Despite this growing body of evidence, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) have not yet recognized autoimmune diseases as eligible for certification or compensation.

What Is the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)? 

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) is a program that the U.S. federal government created to monitor and treat certain approved health conditions related to the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Eligible participants in the program are first responders at the World Trade Center in New York City, along with those at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, and the crash site at Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The program also covers the needs of eligible survivors who lived, worked, attended school, and went to day care and adult care in the NYC disaster area in the days following the 9/11 attacks. These survivors were exposed to the toxic dust that was released when the Twin Towers collapsed, and so they may be able to claim certain benefits. Lastly, the program conducts significant research into the physical and mental health conditions that are linked to 9/11.

You can learn more about the program, including its services and eligibility requirements, along with the legal work that our firm does to help ensure survivors receive the benefits to which they are entitled under the law.

What Is the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)?

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides compensation to those who were harmed during the attacks at the three crash sites mentioned above. Claimants include survivors who developed a physical illness because of the attacks, as well as personal representatives of the estates of those who lost their lives.

Benefits are also available to individuals who participated in construction, debris removal, and clean-up efforts following 9/11, plus those who were present in the New York City exposure zone. Claimants are not limited to first responders, nor do they have to be sick to register for the fund.

The VCF is fully funded to pay all eligible claims through the filing deadline of October 1, 2090. Our firm also provides legal assistance to VCF claimants so they can learn more about their rights, benefits, and how to receive compensation.

Differences in Benefits Offered by the WTCHP and the VCF

The WTCHP and VCF may sound similar, and in many ways they are, but there are some important distinctions:

  • The WTCHP provides medical monitoring and treatment to survivors, while the VCF provides monetary compensation for certain physical injuries and deaths stemming from the September 11th attacks.
  • Claimants under the WTCHP may receive free medical treatment and monitoring if they have one of numerous certified 9/11-related health issues.
  • Claimants under the VCF can seek financial compensation due to the physical injuries or deaths they suffered because of the toxic substances released during the attacks.

Both programs were created under the same federal legislation. Although their overall goals are related, they each have distinct eligibility criteria and serve unique objectives.

Why Aren’t Autoimmune Diseases Covered by the WTCHP or VCF?

Although more 9/11 responders and survivors are being diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, the federal government has not yet recognized a connection between these conditions and 9/11 dust exposure. As a result, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) do not currently provide benefits for individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases believed to be caused by 9/11 exposure. 

Part of the problem is that autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose, often have overlapping symptoms, and remain poorly understood. Because of this, federal officials claim there is not enough reliable scientific evidence to conclude that exposure to 9/11 toxins causes these diseases. Until the WTCHP Administrator determines that a specific autoimmune disease meets the standard for inclusion, it cannot be certified for treatment or compensation.

Autoimmune Diseases Under Review for Eligibility

In September 2023, the directors of the WTC Clinical Centers of Excellence (the hospitals that treat 9/11 victims) submitted a formal petition requesting that several autoimmune diseases be added to the list of conditions covered by the WTCHP. The conditions under review include:

 

  • Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis
  • Sjӧgren’s syndrome
  • Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)
  • Myositis
  • Mixed connective tissue disease
  • Scleroderma
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome
  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
  • Eosinophillic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

The petition is supported by a 2019 study that found first responders exposed to the 9/11 dust cloud had nearly twice the risk of developing systemic autoimmune diseases compared to the general population. Community members who developed post-traumatic stress disorder were nearly three times more likely to be diagnosed with a systemic autoimmune condition. The study concluded that both toxic exposure and psychological trauma were associated with a significantly increased risk.

The WTCHP began its formal review process in late 2023. This includes internal scientific evaluation and possible consultation with the program’s Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee. Although an initial determination was expected by March 2025, the decision has been delayed. As of mid-2025, the petition remains under review with no announced timeline for resolution.

While none of these autoimmune diseases are currently recognized for certification or compensation, the outcome of the petition may lead to future changes. Individuals affected by these conditions are encouraged to monitor the WTCHP’s announcements and consult legal counsel regarding potential eligibility if the petition is granted.

Should I Still Register with the VCF Even if My Condition Isn’t Covered?

Scientists are still learning about the long-term health effects that survivors of the 9/11 attacks face and will likely face in the future. It’s very possible that the government will ultimately recognize and cover conditions that are not currently eligible for compensation. 

If you were in one of the recognized NYC exposure zones between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, VCF urges you to register for the program. This is true regardless of whether you have been diagnosed with a qualifying illness or condition.

Will My Case Be Reconsidered if Autoimmune Conditions Are Added Later?

If autoimmune diseases are added to the list of conditions covered by the World Trade Center Health Program and recognized by the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, several options are likely to become available depending on the claimant’s circumstances. Individuals who did not previously qualify for compensation because their only 9/11-related condition was an autoimmune disease would become eligible to apply for the first time. Once the condition is certified by the WTCHP, a new claim can be submitted to the VCF.

Claimants who already have an approved claim based on a different eligible condition would be able to file an amendment to include the newly recognized autoimmune disease. This may increase the amount of compensation awarded or provide additional benefits, such as for pain and suffering, lost earnings (if the autoimmune disease contributed to a disability), or out-of-pocket medical expenses.

In cases where an individual died as a result of a 9/11-related autoimmune disease, and that disease is later added to the list of covered conditions, the victim’s family may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This is true even if the original claim was denied or never filed, provided the death can be medically linked to the qualifying condition and all other VCF requirements are met. Our firm has handled these types of amendments and wrongful death filings successfully in the past and stands ready to assist claimants in pursuing benefits when and if autoimmune diseases are approved.

Call for Legal Help if You Are a 9/11 Survivor Suffering from an Autoimmune Disease

Survivors of the 9/11 attacks can understandably feel overwhelmed and confused by the eligibility requirements, coverages, and benefits that are available under the WTCHP and VCF. Many applicants have been unfairly denied compensation or have felt discouraged by a bureaucratic and cumbersome review and approval process. 

The team at Pitta & Baione LLP encourages you to reach out to our office. We can help you better understand these programs and work with you from start to finish to request benefits. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.