Today Governor Cuomo announced that New York will continue to provide healthcare and compensation benefits for volunteers who contracted 9/11 related illnesses by including $9 million for the World Trade Center Volunteer Fund in the 2016-2017 New York State budget.
Workers’ Compensation Board and 9/11 Benefits
The benefits are administered by the Workers’ Compensation Board and available for volunteers who performed rescue, recovery or clean-up on September 11 and 12, 2001 at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills Landfill, on the barges, the piers, or at the morgues. According Governor Cuomo, the World Trade Center Volunteer Fund has provided benefits to approximately 1,900 volunteers to date.
Governor Cuomo said “These brave men and women selflessly volunteered to help their neighbors during our darkest days and showed the world what it means to be a New Yorker. They deserve nothing less than our full support and we are committed to ensuring they have access to the resources they need.”
In concluding the announcement, Governor Cuomo urged all 9/11 responders to consider visiting the World Trade Center Health Program for free treatment and monitoring at one of the many Clinical Centers of Excellence in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey, or through the nationwide network of providers. Governor Cuomo praised the World Trade Center Health Program doctors and staff as experts in the field.
Call Pitta & Baione LLP at 844-901-1296 to speak with an attorney about whether you may be eligible for benefits under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
