To become eligible to file a claim with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, you must have been present at the World Trade Center or the surrounding New York City Exposure Zone, the Pentagon crash site, or the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site at some point between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
Who is affected
To become eligible for compensation from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, you must have been injured or developed a disease between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, as:
- a New York City Fire Department active or retired member
- a World Trade Center general responder
- a person in the course of ordinary employment, residence, education, or otherwise present
Eligible conditions & diseases
Cancers
- bladder cancer
- breast cancer
- kidney cancer
- liver cancer
- pancreatic cancer
- prostate cancer
- testicular cancer
- leukemia
- lymphoma
- myeloma
- uterine cancer
- ovarian cancer
- childhood cancer
- thyroid cancer
- bronchial cancer
- colorectal cancer
- eye and orbit cancer
- head and neck cancers
- lung cancer
- rare cancers
- gastric cancer
- esophageal cancer
- skin cancer
- soft & connective tissue cancer
- mesothelioma
Airway and digestive disorders
- asthma
- chronic cough syndrome
- chronic laryngitis
- chronic nasopharyngitis
- chronic respiratory disorder
- chronic rhinosinusitis
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- interstitial lung disease
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- reactive airway dysfunction syndrome
- sleep apnea
- upper airways hyperreactivity
Mental health conditions
- acute stress disorder
- adjustment disorders
- anxiety disorders
- depression
- dysthymic disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder
- major depressive disorder
- panic disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- substance use disorder
Musculoskeletal disorders (applies to WTC responders only)
Acute traumatic injuries
9/11 toxic exposure occupations
These are the 9/11 occupations implying a serious risk of developing cancer or another disease due to toxic exposure:
- firefighters
- police officers
- paramedics
- emergency medical personnel
- demolition workers
- debris removal workers
To date, 1,469 World Trade Center Health Program members have died from airway and digestive disorders, whereas 1,366 have passed away from cancer.
Toxic materials 9/11 victims might have been exposed to
9/11 victims might have been exposed to the following toxic or dangerous substances and materials during the aftermath of the attack:
- dioxins
- PAHs
- asbestos
- pulverized concrete
- microscopic glass shards
- silica
- heavy metals
- cement dust
- gypsum
- polychlorinated biphenyls
- calcite
- jet fuel
Over 70 known carcinogens and a myriad of toxic chemicals were released into the air across Lower Manhattan on the day of the 9/11 attack. More than 15,000 people in the 9/11 community have been diagnosed with cancer, and over 2,000 have died of those cancers.
Key facts
VCF reauthorized through
2090
Certifiable conditions
70+ via WTCHP
Injured or developed a disease
Sep 11, 2001 - May 30, 2002